You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 12.01.23
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Jason Mackey
1:03
Can't believe I omitted that from my Winter Meetings preview.
Jason
1:04
If the pirates signed to above average starting pitchers and a first baseman with decent power would that be enough to get them contending again or am I being to optimistic?
Jason Mackey
1:04
I think that would be enough, yes. Contending at least for a playoff spot. I think Pirates fans would generally be fine with that -- two actually starting pitchers and first-base help.
Jeff
1:04
If the structure you describe ultimately happens (BC as PBO, someone else to GM), how does that work exactly? Who is in charge of what and who is making decisions--or more succinctly, where does the buck stop?
Jason Mackey
1:05
I think it still stops with Ben. It's just a different title. And I think someone else handling more day-to-day stuff.
Ryan
1:05
Good afternoon Jason Have You heard anything About who we might sign as a pitcher i would like to see Get Miley and someone else
Jason Mackey
1:05
Thanks for the question, Ryan. Have gotten this a bunch. No whispers, unfortunately. Maybe that changes at the Winter Meetings. Let's hope.
Justin
1:05
What's the most interesting thing that comes to mind that you've learned about baseball (front office things, on the field things, whatever) that you've learned since switching to baseball coverage and that maybe we don't know?
Jason Mackey
1:06
How much that goes into this. Talks with agents. Interest. Players' thoughts. Comps, How much roles factor in. Those on the outside think the process is incredibly simple; like it's a matter of wanting to or not. And also the volume of stuff that goes into development and getting better. Baseball is so much bigger all-around than I ever could have anticipated.
Guest
1:06
On the point of the Pirates not having signed anyone yet: any news on Cutch?  That's one signing that I was expecting to get done fairly early in the offseason.
Jason Mackey
1:07
No "news," but I still expect it to get done. After the Winter Meetings is my understanding.
PrinceBob
1:07
I seem to be low on baseball questions today but I do keep reading articles about money troubles cable companies have and how that's could lead to major changes in how games will be broadcast next year. I'm not a business type guy and really understand all of it at more than a really basic level. But it looks like a possible outcome might be that I'll be able to watch the Red Sox here in Massachusetts with my MLBtv deal and do the same with Pirate games when I'm at the family homestead in Johnstown even though we ditched cable there and that my son in Missoula, which is maybe an eight hour drive to Seattle, could watch the Mariners. Am I way off base here?
Jason Mackey
1:08
Yes, I think that's MLB's ultimate desire -- to have everything streamable, in and out of market. I think smart RSNs are already making that happen. But MLB would absolutely prefer that it was streaming everything to everyone -- and you were paying them for it.
Work Fast, Change Speed, Throw Strikes
1:08
Who has a better arm, Bido (now gone) or Priester? Why are you convinced he has solved his velocity issues?
Jason Mackey
1:09
I think Quinn does, though I like Bido. And I am. I thought he showed that at the end of '23. I think Quinn is gonna be OK. I'm more worried about Contreras. He looked lost to me.
Tommy Boy
1:09
Should we brace ourselves for another round of Hill, Santana and Hedges at the winter meetings?
Jason Mackey
1:09
No, I don't think so. I think it will be different. No catcher signing, as well, would be my prediction.
Mitch Keller
1:09
Am I going to get an extension this offseason? Or am I gonna wait until Opening Day in Pittsburgh?
Jason Mackey
1:10
I still think so, yeah. Just, Mitch, whatever you do, don't leave the bubble wrap the team mailed.
DJ
1:10
Hi Jason, I am having trouble squaring the commitment to Reynolds' contract with the prospective refusal to spend 12-13M on a veteran SP to eat innings. I hate this kind of talk, but the seeming indifference the FO has to filling out a rotation really raises the question of why they didn't just trade Reynolds. Is it too arrogant to say that they will not do better than 75 wins if they can't even level up their spending sightly from what they spent on Rich Hill? Every year under Cherington, the SP depth has been catastrophic. The latest consequence is Oviedo's injury and being down to 1 viable MLB SP, and 2 if we want to be liberal and count Skenes. I'm willing to be patient, but I have trouble seeing the point if we can't even make a run at someone like Flaherty. Just by the salaries that came off the books, they should be able to find 20-30M to bolster their rotation with 1 or 2 mid-level guys and a reclamation. I don't get why they think being a worse version of the Rays is going to work.
Jason Mackey
1:12
One, the offseason isn't over. It's only Dec. 1. Things can and will happen. What if they make a couple trades? We don't know. What if they develop some young guys? Again, we don't know. Also, they could make a run at Flaherty. What if he's less than $12 M? They could also try to go multiple years. But I do agree with you that they should be able to spend $20 million-$30 million on starting pitcher. Went on that rant in today's episode of Pitching In. Believe me.
Jim
1:12
With the way this market is shaking out on pitching do you expect the pirates to rely on a large amount innings from Roansy, Ortiz, and Priester? I can see giving the first two a chance to compete since we have seen flashes but to rely on anything from Priester at this point seems like an alarming prospect.
Jason Mackey
1:13
I think those guys are going to be counted upon for something. They have to be. And the Pirates might fix them. Remember what all happened with Glasnow and Keller. Guys can get better. Not saying they will, but any assertion that they won't is foolish. Needs to be a combo. Spend some money and help some guys improve.
Go Pirates
1:13
What are your thoughts on the pirates trading one of Peguero/Gonzales for a controllable starting pitcher. Who would be a good fit?
Jason Mackey
1:14
If they can do it, great. I don't think that's anywhere near enough to swing that type of deal, though. And there are a slew of fits. Guys who will log innings and keep runs from scoring. Not super specific about that second part.
Lies. All lies
1:14
They aren't signing anyone of value are they ? This is all just another con. Why do people keep falling for the lies of this con man that owns them ?
Jason Mackey
1:16
Don't really have anything to add. I don't think it's a con. I think they have made some dumb moves in the past, sure. They should be criticized for them. But they finished decently well. Those guys are back. It's Dec. 1. Stuff can happen. What if they sign some people and continue to improve in '24. Is that still a con?
Anon
1:16
AGM is kind of a vague title isn't it? What specifically do Kevan Graves and Steve Sanders do and do they fill different roles in the FO? Where does Sarah Gelles fit in here? I like her resume a lot. Helped run a heck a successful analytics dept in Houston
Jason Mackey
1:17
Here's Graves' bio from the media guide: "In his current role, Kevan oversees the Research & Development and Player Valuation groups. He works closely with department leadership on strategic planning, decision making, personnel identification and selection, and the organization’s professional player evaluation & acquisition processes. Further, he provides support on roster management, contract negotiations, and the day-to-day oversight of the Baseball Operations department."
1:19
Translation/analysis: Graves does a lot of stuff. Hands in scouting. Hands in contracts. Maybe CBA stuff. More of a bench coach? Don't know if that's a great translation. ... Sanders does a lot with the draft & those efforts. Also helps out with the big club, doing various things. But I would say that's his greater point of emphasis. ... I think Sarah could probably take some of the R&D stuff from Graves and free him more on the major league player/contract/roster side.
DJ
1:19
To try and pivot from my previous doomer comment, what do you think about the possibility of trading for Trevor Rogers? He's coming off a few disappointing seasons but there's some upside there and he'll be cheap. I'll be honest in saying that I'm grasping for straws, since I just don't see the point of any of it if they can't scrap together enough money to show in the low-middle range of the SP market with someone like Flaherty. As annoying as they are, the hardline Nutting denouncers seem right to me if that's the prognosis going forward. They will never pull it off. The Cubs have already outpaced them with a rebuild and now will spend. The Brewers may take another year or two and will do the same. If the payroll can't sustainably get up to 85-90M, there's no point in any of it.
Jason Mackey
1:21
That was a pivot from your doomer comment? Geesh. Ha. Is Rogers healthy? Maybe I missed something, but I'm not sure he is. Look, I get people are upset right now. It's been a solid 80 minutes of irritation. It's also Dec. 1. They could sign someone. They might trade for someone. We don't know. I would try to hold off all reactions for a bit. Or at least realize that it's early in the process and not worth losing your you know what. Sometimes this sort of stuff just takes some time.
Shawn
1:22
Seeing how well their minor league players develop, why doesn't the team continue to use their draft to trade for established players?
Jason Mackey
1:22
You can't trade draft picks in MLB.
epiballo
1:22
Santana said he would love to return to the Bucs. Do you see that happening?
Jason Mackey
1:22
I would be surprised. I think he can probably make more elsewhere. The Pirates have better ways to spend their money, too.
DJ
1:23
Fair points re: the earliness of the offseason and multiple possible options. I appreciate the candidness, but my worry is we basically end up with a Hill equivalent, a Velasquez equivalent, and two of Priester/Falter/Ortiz/Contreras from the beginning. That's a recipe to get worse next year even if Skenes hits the ground running in May or June IMO. If they can't do it via trade, then I'd pray they are active for something like both Trevor Rogers and Brady Singer, but I question whether they have the prospect capital or willingness to use it to get both. It's beating a dead horse, but without Oviedo, we need 3 viable SP. I'll be patient through the winter meetings but I'd be lying if I said it didn't feel doomed.
Jason Mackey
1:23
You're allowed to feel however you want, believe me. Not my job to tell you how to feel. Just saying that they do have time.
Guest
1:23
any updates on Cruz and his ankle/running etc?
Jason Mackey
1:24
Not a ton. He has one, yes. It's supposedly healthy. He's running on it. Still expect him to play in the Dominican Winter League but weird it has not yet happened.
Connecting…