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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 12.02.20
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Jason Mackey
11:39
Hi everyone. Thanks for joining my weekly chat. We'll get started at noon, but feel free to ask anything you want now.
12:01
And away we go ...
Blackhawk Bob
12:01
Good Morning...What is the timeline for MLB to decide on the DH being added to the National League and do you think this would be good for the Pirates? In my opinion it would be great news.
Jason Mackey
12:04
Good morning, Bob. I'll take the second part first: It would be really good news for the Pirates. Right now, they're going to have to construct a lineup that includes either Colin Moran or Josh Bell as a bench player. I don't see any way around that. You're not going to see Ke'Bryan Hayes. Neither Moran nor Bell can really play anywhere else. The DH would help them a lot. As for a timeline, I'm expecting to hear more at the Winter Meetings, which means in less than a week.
Wayward Eer
12:04
How many and, who do you think get released to make room for the Rule 5 draft.  Separate question, do you think they are better suited to select and keep the pick or trade it for a prospect that would not require a 40 man space?
Jason Mackey
12:07
Hi Wayward Eer, I've heard two different things with tonight's non-tender deadline. One source said he expected as much as 5-6. Others put it more around 1-2. I'm in the latter camp. I think they'll do something. Erik Gonzalez would be one candidate. Same for Michael Feliz, because of injuries and how much he's slated to make. Been really inconsistent, too. Those would be my two biggest candidates. I'm assuming you mean trade the player involved in the Rule 5 pick, but my answer to that would be no. A team in the Pirates situation, I think they should be focusing on getting a prospect here. After examining who's available, probably a right-handed reliever. But you can never have enough pitching, and this offers a smart way to add.
Jim M
12:08
Jason,  Ben Cherrington developed a good reputation in Boston for finding value in less expensive free agents like Mike Napoli. Do you think there is any chance he will look for value above the Jarod Dyson type of FA? I get the feeling he has decided that the Pirates are years away from being a playoff team which is a shame given all the Covid DFAs and non-tenders.
Jason Mackey
12:10
Hi Jim. I don't know about "value above the Jarrod Dyson type of FA." Like, do you mean is he gonna sign guys for more than $2 million? I think that's possible, if not likely, just given the economic situation around baseball. I do think Cherington's willingness to do that is going to take longer than the fan base would like, and I get that; people are pissed, and rightly so. And yeah, they're targeting a couple years down the road. If he can sign someone now who will help then, that's the key. For true stopgaps, I don't think Cherington is interested in spending much.
TPhunter
12:10
Hi Jason. Assuming a Covid vaccine is widely available by mid-2021, what does the MLB season look like? Bubbles early? Re-grouped divisions to reduce travel? Play as normal?
Jason Mackey
12:11
Really good question, TP. Short answer: I don't know. I don't think anyone does. I do have a tough time seeing baseball bubble. I think if they were against it in 2020 and really didn't experience as many problems as the other sports -- weird to think -- I think there's gonna be a belief that they could do it again for 60 games in 2021 if they absolutely had to. I'm just holding out hope that a vaccine comes through, and we don't have to deal with it. I do think baseball is helped by being a non-contact sport that's played outside. Much different than contact that's during cold weather and possibly inside.
TPhunter
12:11
The more I look at the Pirates' roster and farm system, there seems to be a chance for the team to be reasonably competitive in 2022. If so, is that when we see if the boss will open his wallet?
Jason Mackey
12:14
I think 2022 might be an optimistic projection, but I don't think it's crazy. I think a lot of it will depend on the development of the young pitchers like Priester, Malone and Rocker/Leiter/whomever they take No. 1 next summer. As for when Bob will spend, I think we'll know when the time is right. I'd say when the team is competitive again, and you need to keep pieces around because you don't have anything with which to backfill. Hard to project that now. Do I think Bob will spend? Yes, within reason. They're never going to just blanket sign guys the way some other teams might. But I do think Nutting learned his lesson from how they handled the last winning surge 2013-15. That window should've been open longer, and I think reacting to that will show once they're actually competitive again.
Jeff H.
12:14
Good morning.  I was disappointed to see Trevor Williams go.  Is there that much faith in the current pitching staff where it was prudent to release him?  Or was this a financial move?  I have my gut feeling but wanted an opinion from someone closer to the organization.
Jason Mackey
12:16
Hi Jeff. I get that sentiment. I think Trevor was tremendous to deal with, and I enjoyed covering him. But he hasn't pitched terribly well the past two years, the Pirates have had an even rougher go financially because of COVID, and Williams was going to get more expensive. I get why they don't want to pay for that. I think there's some measure of faith, yes, but given they were 19-41, I think it's also a realization of where they are. It makes more sense to use that spot for opportunity. Give young guys a chance. Sign a cheap/veteran/Jordan Lyles type, hope he pitches well, then flip him ... and do it for less than Williams would have cost.
TPhunter
12:17
How much have all MLB prospects been handicapped by the loss of the minor league season this year, and perhaps much of next? Do you think there will be any procedural changes league wide because of that?
Jason Mackey
12:18
I don't know what the league could change procedurally, honestly. Feel free to say something you're thinking about or suggesting. Development-wise, I think it was made out to be a bigger deal than it actually was. People -- including Cherington -- openly worried about it. But the people I talked to after the MLB regular season were actually encouraged by the amount of stuff that the young guys got done.
TPhunter
12:18
Who ya got this afternoon over at Heinz?
Jason Mackey
12:18
Steelers, 28-20.
Alan
12:18
Do the Pirates really think Cole Tucker can be a major league player? I have seen nothing to think he will be any better than he has been which is mediocre at best.
Jason Mackey
12:19
I think they do, yeah. I'm not sure they're convinced that will be in the outfield. I think they'd probably like to see him get a run of playing time in the middle infield. I see it watching how athletic he is working out, how well he fares in drills and whatnot. It's definitely there. Now, can he bring it out offensively? I can understand why people might question that.
TPhunter
12:19
I like Stallings behind the plate, but shouldn't the Pirates be looking to draft a catcher pretty high this year?
Jason Mackey
12:20
They need to get more (read: any) catching prospects. If that comes via the draft, a minor league free agent, picking someone up at Walmart, doesn't matter. But they need more catching talent.
TPhunter
12:20
Is it time to bring back the classic white vest/black sleeves uniform for a few games in 2021? It's a classic look.
Jason Mackey
12:20
I haven't thought much about it, but that's a really neat idea. I like that.
Alan
12:20
Is Kumar still in the running for the Bucs top pick?
Jason Mackey
12:21
Sure. But there seems to be some growing skepticism that it could be Jack Leiter or even someone else. Here's a crazy idea: Let's let the damn season play out. How's that sound? Drives me crazy -- and I'm absolutely guilty -- of trying to marry one with the other when soooo many things can happen between now and then.
Blackhawk Bob
12:21
Is there any news on O’Neil Cruz and his situation in the Dominican ? If he is cleared and at spring training what position to you think he’ll  settle into with the Pirates
Jason Mackey
12:23
Nothing new. Same as before. Pirates believe there was no alcohol. DR government said alcohol when presenting its findings but has since backed off that claim. Expectation is for Cruz to be at spring training. Because of Newman, Tucker, Gonzales and Peguero -- plus a void in right field -- I really do see them trying him there come spring. Curious to see how he fares, too. He's incredibly athletic. Can cover 20 yards in about three steps. But it's also new.
guest
12:23
How much can we reasonably expect from Taillon
Jason Mackey
12:24
I'm not one who worries about Taillon's ability. If he's healthy, and he is, I think he's going to pitch and pitch well. He busts his ass. He cares. Truly someone you shouldn't bet against, though he's had a bad run of luck, obviously. ... That said, I think they're gonna be careful with his starts. I would expect them to be on the short side at first. Maybe he skips some. Wouldn't surprise me. I can see them putting kid gloves on him.
Cole T.
12:24
My girlfriend makes more than I do..Should I be embarrased?
Jason Mackey
12:25
You definitely should not be embarrassed for dating Vanessa Hudgens.
TPhunter
12:25
Don't think the fans will settle for another 60-game MLB season, Jason. Wouldn't that hurt crediblity for that to happen twice?
Jason Mackey
12:26
No, they'll still play 162. I just mean like wearing masks, being careful, limiting access, etc. for the first 60 games to ensure you can get to the next 102 once a vaccine is more readily available. Sorry if that wasn't clear.
Jim
12:26
Do all MLB players have the same Healthcare providers?
Rob J
12:35
What will the Pirates starting rotation look like ? Any free agent targets you would bring in?
Jason Mackey
12:42
That's a really weird, random and fascinating question, Jim. My gut would be no. Like, the Pirates are partnered with AGH; so, someone in San Diego doesn't have access to the same doctors. Then again, when guys go home and they need something, not like they're flying back to Pittsburgh to get it. It's an interesting question and one I'll look into more. Thank you. ... Sorry, folks. Was working through some technical issues here. I think/hope we're good now.
12:44
Rob J: At this point I would go Taillon, Keller, Brubaker, Kuhl and Brault. I think they'll trade Musgrove. Could trade Brault, too. I could maybe see them signing a veteran starter (low $$$, of course) and stashing him in the bullpen as a swingman. I think there's a very good chance we see something non-traditional like piggybacking or a six-man rotation due to the innings increase.
Alan
12:44
So an NFL team had to basically play without a qb..do you see a sceniaro where the Pirates play without a catcher? Stallings can't catch every game can he?
Jason Mackey
12:44
Ha. What are they gonna use, a garbage can? (Hold the jokes. Stallings was actually good.)
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