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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 11.16.23
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Wayward
12:36
Jason, in reading various teams outlook for the offseason, almost everyone is looking for starting pitching do you think the Bucs are going to have to overpay for guys like Manea, etc and more importantly, will they?  Also, would you take a chance on a guy like Alex Manoah?
Jason Mackey
12:37
The market could work to their advantage. Will guys be wanting to ensure they have regular roles nailed down? Maybe. If anything, we know the Pirates could offer that. If someone like Manea -- or others in the second and third cut -- wait too long, they could wind up in a bullpen/swing role they don't want. That's also a guess. We'll have to see how it plays out, but we know they're gonna have to pay.
Wayward
12:37
Jason, Who is a guy that is not being talked about that you think can make an impact next year?
Jason Mackey
12:38
Endy Rodriguez. What if he becomes what he was in the minors?
wvpirate
12:38
Will Connor Joe be non-tendered tomorrow? And expect any trades by tomorrow 's non tender deadline?
Jason Mackey
12:39
I'd be surprised on Joe. They could tender him ... then maybe look for a trade if something shakes out a certain way. But they really seem to like his versatility, consistency, etc.
Johnny M
12:39
Hi Jason. I'm sure you enjoyed covering the GM's meetings out in Scottsdale recently but what do you find interesting & enjoyable to do out there besides sampling the local cuisine. Golf maybe? I've never been out that way.
Jason Mackey
12:39
I didn't have time for any of that, honestly. It was all work. There was a solid cigar bar by my hotel, though. And I liked Old Town Scottsdale. Not a huge golf guy. Wish I played more but just don't have the time.
Sam
12:39
How does Oviedo’s injury affect the offseason plans in terms of where the money will go? Will they still try to sign position players?
Jason Mackey
12:40
Yeah, I think they still see a need to add to the 1B group. That could change the amount of money they're willing to allocate there. But I think they need to be -- and are -- cognizant of the SP market. Gonna be important to get a few, obviously.
Thomas
12:40
Until Nutting and Cherry sign someone legit, like invest $40M over a few years, I plan to be underwhelmed by who they sign this offseason, no more old band aids on bullet holes.  And please, no one mention Santana!   That said, % they get Hoskins?   5?
Jason Mackey
12:41
I don't understand what would be so egregious about Santana, but I digress. ... Yeah, small. I don't see how a Hoskins signing works out for them. They have greater needs, honestly.
Guest
12:41
Happy Thanksgiving! Jason do u think Bucs will do anything free-agent related before December?  Is so what will be the first move? And what players do you hear are most coveted? Beat’em Bucs
Jason Mackey
12:42
I can't give you names on the second part, sorry. They very rarely let slip their targets. I think we'll see something in December. Kinda doubt before, but you never know. I think some other stuff needs to clear first.
PrinceBob
12:44
Hope your relative downtime is going well. The other day I was thinking about the MLB player draft and what I understand the rules to be which lead to a question. As I understand it, a player is eligible to be drafted in the year his high school class graduates whether he actually graduates or not. If that player opts out or is not picked he is not eligible to be drafted again for three years. If I have that wrong my question may be irrelevant. But if I have it right, where do guys who do to two year schools fit? What do they commonly do with that one year before they're draft eligible?
Jason Mackey
12:47
I think I know what you're asking here ... high school players must have graduated ... in the case of a dropout, the player must be out of school for one year ... don't think the three-year thing is accurate ... Also, one year of juco. Here's more from MLB.com: The Rule 4 Draft is the official term for the First-Year Player Draft, an amateur draft held annually. Players must be a resident of the United States (U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico, apply) or Canada to be eligible for the draft. Players who have graduated high school but not attended college are eligible for the draft, as are those who have completed at least one year of junior college. Players attending four-year colleges are eligible to be drafted upon completing their junior year or turning 21 years old.
Cullen B
12:48
Do you see the Pirates taking a page from the Braves playback bringing in  players that have control via trade, then extending them? Some of the guys they brought in didn't cost crazy amounts of prospect capital.
Jason Mackey
12:48
I think the Pirates would probably rather grow their own & extend on top of that, but you never know. If the right situation arose, sure, I don't think they would be against it. Meaning someone comes in here, plays well, wants to stay, and they do another contract.
Johnny M
12:49
Such terrible news about Oviedo. Do you think this injury was a result of overuse? If so, it was a terrible decision by management. I thought I read BC was limiting his pitch count dHe threw over 90+ pitches in 25 out of his 32 starts. The team realistically was going nowhere. He should have skipped a few starts throughout the 2nd half of the season. Hindsight, I know ......
Jason Mackey
12:49
Yeah, always 20/20. Looking back, I am surprised they went this route. They've talked in the past about being concerned with innings jumps. Oviedo increased by 60+ in '23. Would think because they had nobody else. Looking back, yeah, it's absolutely fair to second-guess that.
Johnny M
12:50
Recently Cherington said, him, Williams & Nutting are on the same page
Jason Mackey
12:50
He did, yes. Your choice on whether you wanna believe it. Or like it. But he did say it.
Brady C
12:50
Skenes on the Opening Day is not even being considered an option right?
Jason Mackey
12:50
Last I heard, no. But as I said earlier, I wonder how much Oviedo changes the calculus.
Johnny M
12:50
(cont) I hope Nutting's wallet is on the same page, too because they really need about 3 good SPs right now if Oviedo's done next season.
Jason Mackey
12:50
You're not wrong. They also need to figure out the pitching they do have.
Justin
12:51
By some payroll estimates, the Pirates could go on something like a 50 million dollar free agency spending spree and end up just over $100 million (and this is already assuming Cutch is back). For easy math let's just say they are allowed to add $50 million to the current team. Off the top of your head, what's a general plan of attack that you would have for that money?   For example, based on some contract estimates, they could probably squeeze in something like Montas, Paxton, Flaherty, Santana, Cutch and one more 10ish million dollar bat at whatever you think is a position of need into that 50 mil. It's wild to think they could add something like that and still be in the bottom tier of payrolls.  Seems like a win-win for the team and fans alike!  A "spending spree" while still being relatively cheap overall.
Jason Mackey
12:52
I would be shocked if they added $50 million in payroll, unfortunately. But, hey, we can hope, right? My offseason spending plan would be Cutch, one. Non-optional. Secondly, I'd go maybe $3-$4 million on 1B. Maybe. Depending on what that would get me. I may just say screw it and pour it all into pitching.
Jerry
12:52
Jason, was  the otherwise brilliant deadhead chatter too quick to anoint Scarlet Begonias as the GOAT in light of the existence of Fire on the Mountain and Eyes of the World?
Jason Mackey
12:52
Little confused by your question, but I'll take Scarlet in a close race over Eyes.
Justin
12:52
What are some factors that lead to MLB free agency moving so much slower than the other major sports?
Jason Mackey
12:54
A fine question. Not sure I have a great answer for you, but I have learned that everything with baseball is more in-depth. And not always for the better. A lot of meetings with agents and teams. A lot of gauging, talking, speculating, etc. Both sides trying to bargain and play a game of chicken that will eventually end. Maybe the lack of cap? It's a question MLB needs to answer, though.
Josh P
12:54
Jason, admit it, you were never really in my corner until a chatting savant pointed out my value as a component of the puzzle.
Jason Mackey
12:54
Josh, you know that's not true.
Brady C
12:55
  1. Was there any news of a Skenes injury when he was shut down last season? Or was it more precautionary? These Pirates arms are dropping like flies
Jason Mackey
12:56
More precautionary. I was surprised by it, too, believe me. But after talking with people close to Skenes. They weren't. They were also largely fine with it, pointing to 2024 as the bigger thing. So, I get it. Just be ready for '24. And healthy.
Jerry
12:56
Jason, was 1977 my best year, at least musically speaking?
Jason Mackey
12:56
I prefer '72, personally.
Jeff T
12:56
Hi Jason…I know it’s a lot of info, but any names under the Rule 5 the Bucs might be interested in?
Jason Mackey
12:57
I haven't gotten that far, Jeff. I'm sorry. Protection deadline was Tuesday night. Spent yesterday reporting three other stories and writing Ashcraft. Have some family stuff, too. Just haven't had the chance to dig too deep into it.
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