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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 11.16.23
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Jason Mackey
11:12
Hello, everyone. Thanks for checking out my Pirates chat. Leave your questions now. Will be back at noon to answer 'em.
12:00
And away we go ...
Guest
12:00
Since the Pirates apparently have an insane need for starting pitching to open the season, do you think there’s a chance they bring in Rich Hill back to see if he has anything left in the tank
Jason Mackey
12:01
Man, a good one right off the hop. Honestly hadn't considered that much, but sure. I would say there's a chance. Rich wants to keep pitching -- at least that's what we last heard. He loved it here. They loved having him. There's a relationship with Cherington. Not saying it's going to happen, but given their need for pitching, yeah, crazier things have happened. I'm fine with it, so long as they make one or two bigger/better moves pitching-wise.
Jim M.
12:01
Jason,  Thanks as always for these chats. Do you think Ben Cherrington’s approach this offseason will be more assertive than previous years? In other words, after the market is set by the first few big FA pitchers are signed, will he go after the mid-level FA pitchers they’ve targeted or will they gamble and hope the price comes down deeper into the offseason?  I’m hoping he takes Huntington’s more aggressive approach from the 2012-13 offseason.
Jason Mackey
12:03
Of course, Jim. Thank you for participating. In short, yes, I think there will be a more aggressive approach. They're closer to important stuff -- over .500, competing for the postseason. They also have money to spend. I think you're in the right area code with the approach, but don't discount the player side. If a player has options between the Pirates and a team that won in 2022 and they're both offering a rotation spot, how do the Pirates separate themselves? Money? Years? Pittsburgh's a great city, but there's more that goes into the equation.
South Texas Buc
12:04
Jason, regarding the broadcasting situation if ATT is replaced by MLB or something else. I have not yet heard whether the team would retain guys like Greg brown and Bob walk/Wehner or would they hire an all new crew. I really hope that’s not the case. Would hate to lose Brownie and the cannon ball coming calls. Any info regarding this?
Jason Mackey
12:07
I would be stunned if Brownie goes anywhere. He's tremendous. A criminally underrated baseball play-by-play man. Joe Block, too. ... I also wouldn't expect much change to that end. If they go the SportsNet Pittsburgh route, I think the on-air talent will remain largely the same. You could see Robby shift into a desk role and a new reporter hired. Or maybe they keep Robby and hire a desk person. Curious what Rob King's new Steelers gig means for his baseball side. ... Would bet McKenry remains in his studio role. ... But I'm not expecting play-by-play changes -- or many changes period -- in either model, to answer your question.
Dan N
12:07
With the latest injury to another pitcher..exactly how many starters do they need to go after …assuming they won’t promote any of the youn guys ?
Jason Mackey
12:09
Hey Dan. I don't know if I can give you a number, but I would still say at least two. (I know, I gave you a number). But my point is that I don't think it's like, "If they sign ____ , they'll be OK." They need to spend whatever amount of money they have smartly. They also need to keep developing the young guys ... meaning Ro/Ortiz/Quinn, as well as Skenes/Solometo/Chandler/Ashcraft ... and figure out creative solutions via Jackson/Falter/Hatch/whomever.
South Texas Buc
12:09
Do you see terrmarr Johnson getting a call up in September for a little taste of the show before the season ends if all goes well with him on field and he stays healthy?
Jason Mackey
12:10
I love Termarr Johnson's game, but I think that might be a tad aggressive. He's still only 19. Has played 30 games at High-A. Nothing at all wrong with what he's doing. Fun, talented player. Great kid. On a great path. Just probably a tad soon.
PrinceBob
12:13
And I hope the holidays are really good for you.
Jason Mackey
12:13
Thank you! I'll get to your other question. I'm trying to understand what you're asking and don't wanna hold up the queue.
BuppyKing69
12:13
When do you think is the earliest we could we see Skenes? It feels like it might be time to start ‘trying’ to be a contender. Is skenes ready and if so, is it possible for us to see him this year?
Jason Mackey
12:15
I think you will see him this year. That's fairly straightforward, IMO. When? That's the tough part. Pre-Oviedo, I have said May-ish. Preserve the year of control, fine. Don't screw with Super-2. This is assuming he pitches well. Now? My stance has kinda changed. All this talk about adding FA pitchers. Fair, no doubt. But they have one they could add right now who could be really good ... if they just say, 'Screw it, we're going for it?" I'm failing to see the problem here. Again, if he shows he's ready.
Dallas
12:15
Do you sense any worry or “buyers remorse” from the pirates as it pertains to Nick Gonzalez and Henry Davis?
Jason Mackey
12:15
No, I don't. But I sense a lot of people trying to formulate final opinions on guys who haven't played nearly enough MLB games.
Guest
12:15
Who do you think has a better chance of being a successful starting pitcher for the Pirates this year?  Roansy Contreras or JT Brubaker.
Jason Mackey
12:17
We may need to define success, but for the sake of answering the question, I'll go Bru. I say define success because I think the sample size may be small because of TJ training wheels. But I'm worried about Contreras. He looked lost. I think they screwed around with too much biomechanically. Didn't end the season in a good spot. Brubaker's biggest impediment -- remember how good he was in spring -- has been health.
Justin
12:17
Hey Mackey, hope all is well. With the once Oakland A's being approved to relocate today, it got me thinking about Pittsburgh. We're a two sport city with three sports teams. With attendance at PNC park looking barer and barer every season, is it realistic to imagine that maybe someday the Pirates are in this conversation too. PNC park is too beautiful and iconic to move on from obviously, but in 15 years? 20 years? Is the conversation different? Do the pirates need to prove themselves to this city to bring more fans out?
Jason Mackey
12:19
They need to win. This is a tremendous baseball town. I see it all the time in my web traffic. Now, I think fans are upset and probably reluctant to give Nutting money, until he/they force them by playing winning baseball. But if the Pirates win 85 games this year, there's zero chance you're asking me about their future viability in Pittsburgh.
JG
12:20
Is Cal Quantrill a reasonable Pirates target? Young guy, track record of success. We need all the arms we can get.
Jason Mackey
12:21
Maybe eventually, but man, potentially $6.6 million (his arbitration projection) for someone coming off his worst pro season that included shoulder injuries? I think I'll pass.
Justin
12:22
Read recently that the Rays are likely to move on from Tyler Glasnow. Any chance of a reunion in Pittsburgh. Pitching in my (and I think most peoples) opinion is our highest priority this offseason. Is he too expensive to look at? Curious if injuries the last few seasons might bring his value down a bit?
Jason Mackey
12:22
I would love it, believe me. Big Glasnow fan. But I believe he's scheduled to make $25 million in 2024. Don't think that one's happening.
Will
12:23
Lots of offseason focus on free agent targets, but could we see Pirates address specific needs through trade (namely 1B and SP)?  Perhaps leveraging middle infield prospect depth in potential trade package?  GMBC keeps cards pretty close to vest, but what are your thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:23
Yeah, I think that's entirely possible. Cherington has said that. Wouldn't shock me at all if one of those was addressed that way.
Cullen B
12:25
Hey Jason, any initial thoughts on the new director of amateur scouting, Justin Horowitz?
Jason Mackey
12:27
Can't say I know a ton, honestly. But he comes here with a terrific reputation. Impacted a lot in Boston. Curious more what it means for Joe DelliCarri, their senior director of amateur scouting. Talked to Joe at the GM's meetings. Don't know what this means for him.
Justin
12:28
Like clockwork, you can look at Robert Stephenson's splits before and after the trade to Tampa and see stark differences in his play. Stephenson put up pretty-much-generational swinging strike rates as a Ray. This is just one negative player that I'm zooming in on, and maybe that's unfair of me, but I thought this stuff was supposed to stop happening with this new "smarter" group running the team ("this stuff", meaning, players leaving and then immediately clearly unlocking a different gear).  I know you aren't the team's PR guy, but what comes to mind when I ask you why I should trust this group - front office and coaching staff - to be smart/effective enough to win consistently while never cracking the top 15 in spending?  I guess turning a Suwinski into a 3 WAR type CF is an equivalent win that I could be looking at.
Jason Mackey
12:31
This is not a PR comment, but every organization has guys they couldn't figure out ... and others do. Now, your point on Stephenson is a good one. Same with Clay Holmes. Why didn't the Pirates see what others have? I can't give you some magic bullet on why you should trust them. You should make that decision for yourself. I have my own hesitancies as well. Did Mitch Keller get better because he went elsewhere or because the Pirates reached him? Did Ke'Bryan Hayes improve because of Jon Nunnally or what the existing hitting group was doing. Was Bryan Reynolds better without Andy Haines than he's been with them? What about Contreras, Priester and Ortiz? Lots of stuff to ask. It also takes time.  I get where they're at, but they need to win in '24. They need young guys to get better. It's never gonna be perfect. They're gonna miss. But confidence will stem from hitting more.
Cullen B
12:31
Now that Reynolds will be a Pirate for a long time, can you give us a glimpse at any big name prospects that were being seriously considered in a swap deal? Were the Pirates ever close to a deal? Just curious, I know you mentioned that they set the price high and many teams balked at the ask.
Jason Mackey
12:32
I don't have any intel on that, sorry. Even if I did, I'm not sure I would share it. Benefit doesn't outweigh the risk. But bottom line, I don't know.
CoalportKid
12:32
BR has this great table (https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/2023.shtml) showing the WAR above avg by position.  Pit is NL worst at C/RF/PH and second worst at 2B/SS.  Avg at 1B with mostly Santana.   That's four huge areas for improvement in the lineup.  I don't see the RF in projections.  Haven't we seen enough of Davis out there to know he's not it?
Jason Mackey
12:33
I don't think so. He's played 62 games -- hardly enough to formulate a final opinion. Also played a large chunk of them hurt. I agree they need to get better in those spots, absolutely. But they had two of their top three prospects as catchers growing into roles with Henry & Endy. Oneil Cruz was hurt. Someone needs to take over 2B.
Will
12:33
Tough news for Oviedo. He had a really solid year and also impressed with leadership and growth.  With Keller and Skenes Pirates had making of really good top 3 in rotation in 2024.  Could his injury push Pirates harder on international option like Yariel Rodriguez?
Jason Mackey
12:35
Certainly could. I wouldn't rule it out. But as I've often repeated, Rodriguez will have choices. Does he want to pitch in a two- or three-man rotation, for a team with one above-.500 season since '15? Might be a tough sell.
Cullen B
12:35
When do you think the Pirates will broach the extension subject with Skenes? Hopefully they will not turn this into another Cole situation. I have more hope here since Skenes isn't a Boras client.
Jason Mackey
12:36
He's thrown 6 2/3 professional innings. We might be getting a little aggressive here.
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