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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 12.01.23
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Jason Mackey
12:40
I know this is gonna be the topic of the day. And my nonpopular answer: maybe weeks or months. But, honestly -- and I get the fan frustration, believe me -- as long as they get sorted out by spring, that should be the most important thing.
Guest
12:40
What would it take to get Nutting to sell the team?
Jason Mackey
12:41
Should be the yearly appraisal of its value. Nutting could put the team up for sale, and it would be gone in about 5 minutes. ... But I don't know what it would take. Maybe he gets older and doesn't wanna deal with it? He's talking about it being a legacy sort of thing. Maybe his daughters don't want the headache? But he could sell right now and cash out in a ginormous way, if he wanted to.
DrBobbyE
12:41
Hey Jason, love the column, I would have lover the Sonny Gray signing for his pitching and influence on young staff, thoughts.
Jason Mackey
12:42
Absolutely no chance the Pirates were gonna pay someone $75 million over 3 years. I like Sonny Gray, but we're wasting our time here.
Jason
12:42
Hi Jason!! Is this the year the Bucs should make the playoffs   , and if they don’t will you be concerned because there isn’t a whole heck of a lot in the farm system to get them over the hump next year?
Jason Mackey
12:43
I wouldn't say make the playoffs, but I think they need to be over .500 and flirt with it. They certainly can't go backwards from 76 wins. That would be back. They do have one of the better farm systems in the sport, so not totally sure where that second assertion comes from.
Idggy DeBeau
12:43
Are Bob Nutting’s daughters actively involved with the Pirates since it appears they will be the future owners.
Jason Mackey
12:43
If they are, I haven't heard or seen much of them.
Ryan
12:43
Good Afternoon Jason when do The pirates sign someone i know we signed someone but when do we Sign other guys because of Oviedo being Out
Jason Mackey
12:44
I can't give you guys a magic answer on this. I wish I could, but I've explained why it's tough to predict.
epiballo
12:44
Hey Jason - thanks for the chats! It is depressing to see the other clubs in the NL Central making moves to improve and only crickets from the Bucs. Do you know if any negotiations are happening to sign a FA, but it doesn't work out? Or are the Bucs really doing nothing.
Jason Mackey
12:45
They're not doing nothing, I can promise you that. Now, are they having serious negotiations or just cursory talks, expressing interest and/or seeing how guys might fit? Probably the latter. Basically there are likely varying degrees of interest.
Justin
12:45
I think there have been some public statements by people with the team expressing a desire and urgency to win.  Do you get a sense with the people you talk to that the urgency is real?  Like, what happens if they don't win?  Is Cherington or anyone on a "hot seat" if things go poorly?  They can publically say they want to win but it's hard to see there being any real consequences - and therefore real actual urgency - being there.
Jason Mackey
12:48
Fine observation, Justin. They also talk about wanting to acquire talent, needing to get better, monitoring markets, etc. Then ... we read about Hector Noesi. I don't know the consequences of a losing season in 2024. Maybe Shelton? Wouldn't imagine Ben or Travis Williams. Now, I do think there is a desire in there to win. But, I mean, we can also said we wanna drive a Porsche. We going to the dealership later today?
Matt C
12:48
Hey Jason, has there been any chatter going around who the Pirates are at least interested in FA/Trade market?
Jason Mackey
12:49
Not a ton, Matt. Sorry. Fans seem to think this sort of stuff is shared regularly. I don't think I suck as a reporter, and I have never had an easy time gleaning it. Will share what I can learn, for sure, but nothing yet.
epiballo
12:49
Do you see the Bucs trading any of the Pirates core (Reynolds) or future (Davis) for a much needed pitcher? And do you anticipate Nutting expanding the payroll to add to a team on the cusp of competing for a playoff spot?
Jason Mackey
12:51
I don't see Reynolds or Davis traded, no. I would not give up Davis; I think there's a lot there. And I don't like the strategy of trading your best hitter when you know you need to win. ... Expanding the payroll to what? $85 million? Possible. I'm guessing that's not what you mean. I don't think they're going to spend out of character this season. I think internal development is going to carry much more weight, as un-sexy as that might sound.
Jack
12:51
One sure fire staring pitcher waiting to happen is Vince Vasquez.  but you never bring up his name, along with the other washed up, older pitchers you mention.  Wuz up?
Jason Mackey
12:52
Because he's still very early in his recovery. Might not even have thrown a ball. Very early to be counting on that for certainty.
Jim M.
12:52
Jason, With the $12.3 million per year average of the FA pitchers mentioned in your article today, are the Pirates less likely to land a decent no. 3 quality Free Agent starter? Do you think they’re more likely to focus on more affordable reclamation projects.
Jason Mackey
12:53
I would go with the latter, Jim. I don't see them spending $12.3 M on any FA starter, sadly.
Guest
12:53
The Pirates hired a new assistant GM yesterday.  Any chance they were waiting to finalize that hire before getting more active in signing players? (Please?)
Jason Mackey
12:53
I don't think one has anything to do with the other, sorry.
Piratesfan
12:53
Do you expect the Pirates sign a bullpen arm?
Jason Mackey
12:53
It wouldn't surprise me, but it would be very much a depth option. I think SP and 1B are bigger priorities for them.
Tyler
12:54
Is Contreras working out somewhere to help him get his velocity back?
Jason Mackey
12:54
He's back home in the Dominican and yes. He has been.
Bob
12:54
Hearing any rumors about what might be the first free agent move for Ben Cherrington?
Jason Mackey
12:56
No. And it's not that binary, honestly. They have interest several places -- which, don't get pissed about that for a sec. They don't know what might land first.
Gyler Tlasnow
12:56
I’m sure if Glasnow gets traded to Cincy or Chicago, then that will really annoy Pirates fans won’t it?
Jason Mackey
12:56
Ha. Would only add to the pile of frustration around the division this offseason, too.
Tyler
12:56
Do the Pirates have an explanation to why there pitchers are getting hurt or losing velocity?
Jason Mackey
12:59
No, they don't. At least none that they're gonna share with us. They're not the only ones, though. Tweeted this out a few weeks back, but there are several teams who have had it worse recently. Unfortunately it has become the cost of doing business.
epiballo
12:59
Bender finished second in the Closer award, but the article never said who won (I still don't know). How do their stats compare and do you think they chose the right closer for the award?
Jason Mackey
1:02
Devin Williams from the Brewers, and it was the Reliever of the Year Award, I believe. Bednar had three more saves but a higher ERA. I don't have a huge problem. Brewers made the postseason. Devin Williams is damn good. Tough to mount much of an argument.
Gregg from Shaler
1:02
I read that Paul Skenes may be ready for the show next year. Is there any chance the front office moves that quickly? IF they don't bring him up when he's ready (objectively ready) does that factor in later to a player's desire to stay with a club? Aside from money, of course.
Jason Mackey
1:03
I think Skenes will be ready, yes. And I do think the front office will give him a chance next year. I think that was part of draft discussions and taking him. Beyond his current amount of club control, if Skenes pitches the way he's capable, he'll probably price himself out of Pittsburgh. But I get your point. If a guy is buried, does he not wanna re-sign? I'm sure that has happened a decent amount.
epiballo
1:03
When do the Pirates sign Shohei Ohtani?
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