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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 11.18.20
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Jason Mackey
11:25
Hello, everyone, and thanks for joining my weekly Pirates chat. We'll get started in about a half-hour, but you can start asking questions now. Feel free to fire away about the Pirates or whatever else is on your mind. Thanks!
11:57
OK, gang. Let's do this.
Guest
11:57
Is there any chance someone can buy out BOB NUTTING so that the PIRATES can get and keep good players, plus other fine personnel?
Jason Mackey
11:58
There is a chance, sure. There's always a chance. I am curious whether COVID (and the resultant financial losses) has affected Nutting's desire to keep the team. If he chose to sell, there certainly would be no shortage of interested buyers.
Theo
11:58
So I’m looking for a new resurrection project, and really, no team is as deceased as the one in your town. Should I let that newspaper guy know that I’m interested?
Jason Mackey
11:58
Hey, Theo. I think your buddy Ben beat you to the punch.
Ricky
11:59
Another week of no interest reported in puig. Have you heard of any interest? He is one of the best players in baseball easily. Imagine adding that bat to the lineup
Jason Mackey
11:59
There's still plenty of time, Ricky. They're just figuring out whether to buy him a yacht or mansion. I'd vote for both.
Jerry G
11:59
Just wondering about a favorite or two of yours from my main side gig? I am fond of Get Out of My Life Woman. I did some some fine work on that one....
Jason Mackey
12:04
Jerry! ... My top 5 JGB tunes, in no particular order and discounting ones also done by the Dead: Lonesome And A Long Way From Home, Mission In The Rain, Don't Let Go, Midnight Moonlight and My Sisters And Brothers. ... Just missed: Don't Let Go, The Harder They Come and I'll Take A Melody.
Josh Bell
12:04
What are you looking for out of me this year? And what was wrong with me last year? (Please answer without using the words "pressing" or "trying to do too much.") And would you flip me for prospects if I have a great first half, or let me get to Arb 3?
Jason Mackey
12:05
Hi, Josh. Hope you're enjoying your offseason. I'll do my best.
12:07
  1. I'm looking for consistency. Beginning to end. I know you're not what you were in May-June 2019, and that's not a slight. I also know you aren't what you were after that, or what you were this past season. I'm looking for consistency in approach, with chase, strikeouts and putting the ball in play. I'm also looking for improved defense at first.
  2. I think you never got comfortable. Bouncing between 1B/DH wasn't great for you. I also think you got outside of yourself too much -- too much chase. Hard to avoid the words you cited, but I think that had something to do with all of you guys. I think the shortened season messed with you; you started slow and sort of realized that fully recovering would be really hard.
  3. I would not -- at least not now. Stock needs to be higher. If you crush it during the first half of 2021, I would listen to offers. But I would have to be really moved to do something before I had to. I still hope the Pirates will offer you something long-term.
Kyle K
12:08
Jason - one thing that has stuck out to me is the PIrates’ confidence in Anthony Alford as being an option (and potentially the #1 option) in center field next season. What factors in to that confidence, and what other options do you see the Pirates turning to to compete?
Jason Mackey
12:10
I agree with you -- I think they want Alford to be their center fielder next year. What factors in, I think, involves their history with him. Ben Cherington probably watched Alford play more than many other Pirates players, because of the time they spent together in Toronto. Cherington knows what Alford can do. He's just never had a legitimate chance. ... As for competition, I think Jared Oliva could easily be in the mix. Maybe Cole Tucker, although if they trade Adam Frazier, I expect Tucker to shift to the infield. Obviously Bryan Reynolds and Gregory Polanco will be in the outfield mix.
Patricia
12:10
Hi, Jason (and Squid, should he be here): Two part question: what do you think Barry Bonds's chance of getting into the Hall of Fame is this year, and do Aramis Ramirez and AJ Burnett have any chance at all (my opinion: no)?
Jason Mackey
12:12
Hi Patricia. I wish Steven Brault was here. That would be a lot of fun. I should see if he wants to take one of these over. Ha. ... I see Bonds getting close. I think as older writers lose their votes and younger ones gain them, that helps Bonds. I'm 37. I would say the general consensus is for those much older to keep Bonds out because of steroids. Those younger grew up in a different climate and don't feel the same way. So, I think he gets very close this year. Not so much on the other two. It's nice they're there, but I don't see them getting in.
Guest
12:12
Any idea on the health progress of the players on IR at end of season. I’m particularly interested in A Alford. Also, how long do you give Palanco in 2021 to prove himself
Jason Mackey
12:13
Alford's rehab is going "exactly as we expected," Shelton told me earlier this month. Haven't heard much of the others, but also haven't heard of any problems. ... At least a couple months on Polanco. And remember, there's only so much you can do. You're paying him. I don't think it would be the worst thing to start Jared Oliva at Class AAA. If after 2-3 months he's crushing the ball and Polanco is stinking up the joint, then you make the change. But I would let Polanco try to find it.
Jeff
12:14
Will Cherington try harder this off season than last?
Jason Mackey
12:16
It's not that he wasn't trying, Jeff. There are budget constraints, which I'm obviously not going to sit here and defend. I wish they would spend more money, and I think they should. But it's not like Cherington failed to spend it because he was sitting on his couch eating Cheetos and watching reruns of Friends. He was learning, evaluating, figuring out a plan forward. Think about it this way: If Cherington and Co. can not screw up the future and perhaps acknowledge that it will take a couple years to get here, what the heck difference does it make if they sign someone to go from 69 wins or whatever to 74. Just lose. Stockpile picks. Development them. Then churn out a San Diego, Chicago White Sox, Toronto, etc. in a couple years. I think the majority of people would be OK with that.
The Black Avenger
12:16
I'm guessing the Pirates would never hire someone like Kathy Ng is because Bob Nutting would never hire anyone in a position of authority that doesn't look like him. Correct ?
Jason Mackey
12:17
Kim Ng, first off. ... Second, I'm pretty sure Bob Nutting would hire a garbage can if it helped him save money, win for cheap and run a successful business.
Rich in CA
12:17
Any chance Ben C signs a 2-3ish starter. You can never have enough & they have a boat load of 4’s & 5’s?
Jason Mackey
12:17
I wouldn't bet on it. If they sign someone, I see that person as a stopgap/4-5/veteran you can flip. I think a 2-3 is probably outside of what they're willing to spend right now.
Rich in CA
12:17
Are any Pirates playing in the AZ fall ball?
Jason Mackey
12:18
There is no Arizona Fall League this year. That's why they had a beefed up instructional league in Florida.
Fobert K Smutting
12:18
Jason- I see streets and statutes honoring the owners of the 2 other professional sports owner in Pittsburgh but none for the best sportsman of them all Robert J Nutting. Who would I speak to to begin a campaign to honor the best owner in professional sports ?
Jason Mackey
12:19
The funny part here is that this is nowhere close to the actual opinion that Bob Nutting has of himself.
Ricky
12:19
Who would have more value Frazier or Brault?
Jason Mackey
12:19
I would have to imagine Brault, honestly, given the fact the teams always want and need pitching, especially left-handed pitching. Although it might be a push because of Frazier's back-to-back Gold Glove nominations and Brault's up-and-down history.
Rich in CA
12:20
Time to trade Bell and get what you can unless they have DH in NL. He can’t play the position and you will never get more. He can only prove he can’t hit if this continues. Keep Moran at 1st with Osuna as backup
Jason Mackey
12:21
For the millionth time, no. You will never get more? Where's that logic coming from? He may incredibly in May/June 2019 and has been average/bad since. What if he reverts back to May/June 2019 during March-June 2021? Then his stock would be crazy high. What if he has a consistently productive 2021? Then his stock would be much higher. It doesn't matter if he fields like crap. Any acquiring team will likely try to DH him unless it improves.
Pirates Fans
12:21
Have the pirates even showed interest in any free agents?
Jason Mackey
12:22
If they have, they're very, very minor. "Showing interest" is a term that always throws me. They toss around a lot of things. All teams in all sports do. But with the section of the store the Pirates are shopping in -- the cheap one -- those deals tend to not come together quickly, because the player involved usually wants to play it out and see if he can get more.
Pirates Fans
12:22
Anyone interested in Archer at this point?
Jason Mackey
12:23
There hasn't been much on it, but I have no doubt someone will sign him on a prove-it deal.
Jeff
12:23
I would guess a payroll around 50 million or less? Can’t see higher than what it was going into season last year. And that
Jason Mackey
12:23
I'm expecting it to be in the $50-$60 million range. But given no fans in 2020 and the impact of that, yeah, I wouldn't be shocked at all if you were right.
Jerry G
12:23
So that’s a fine list you offered. Your deadhead credentials are hereby validated.
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