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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 12.08.23
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Jason Mackey
11:32
Hey everybody. Welcome to my Pirates chat. Thanks for stopping much. Lots to discuss. We'll get started in about 30 minutes.
12:06
And away we go ...
Cullen
12:06
Hey Jason, thanks for doing the chat as always. There were reports about the Pirates and Flaherty engaging in contract talks but being apart on years. Is this more of Flaherty looking for ~5 years and the Pirates are only at 2-3 years? Or are they only offering a 1 year deal?
Jason Mackey
12:08
Of course. I have not seen the reports you're talking about. Saw the one of having interest. While I don't debate the interest -- they have interest in a lot of guys, as do all teams -- it's also my interesting that they have not yet reached out to Flaherty's camp. So, I would temper/quality the interest. I think Flaherty makes sense for them, but I have seen nothing to corroborate 5 years vs. 2-3. If that's out there, feel free to link it.
Arriba
12:08
Will we get to .500 this year? We have so many holes, SP and offense, and few options (money/prospects) to acquire them, right?
Jason Mackey
12:09
They were two games over .500 for two months, largely spent with two starting pitchers and a group of youngsters that's coming back. I think they will be over .500 this season, and I don't see what's preventing it. They certainly need more pitching. Not arguing there. But, yes, I think they can surpass .500.
Arriba
12:09
Is Henry Davis really going to split time with Endy at C? That makes little sense to me. Or is Henry going to AAA
Jason Mackey
12:11
I don't know. I don't know if they know. It depends on so many factors. Do they need to trade one to get pitching? Are both healthy? Does Henry perform well enough? Does Endy? Let's say all of those boxes check out. I do have a tough time seeing how it works to have them split time behind the plate. One guy should play the majority of the time to grow. And what happens to Jason Delay? I think there's a data point that's either missing or has not yet happened.
bgardner@envenlaw.com
12:11
Given the much-discussed need for additional pitching, uncertainty about a first baseman, and confusion over four catchers now on the roster, is acquiring an outfielder with superior defensive skills viewed as a priority? Is it financially feasible given the other needs?
Jason Mackey
12:13
I wouldn't call it a priority, no. I don't see where an outfielder would fit, honestly. I wanna play Reynolds & Jack. I don't see how the Endy/Henry thing works out, and I wanna leave open the possibility that Henry may play RF. Connor Joe is on the roster. I want to find a spot for Triolo. Joshua Palacios, while maybe not a starter, will need reps every now and then. Oh, and Cutch is supposedly gonna play the field. If it's a LHH first base option who can play the outfield, sure. But I don't think improving the outfield defense with an every-day guy is a priority.
Guest
12:13
May not be a popular sentiment, but with the 2022 and 2023 pitching injuries...I can see the Pirates taking (yet another) one year mulligan on a serious post-season run. Get another reasonable starter this winter, continue to shake out the infield  this year. (am I the only one that sees the benefit of Triolo on the other end of Cruz' howitzer?)
Jason Mackey
12:14
I don't understand how we've made this jump:
2023 close: 37-35 finish with two starts and a bunch of kids ... cool!
2024 start: They again have two starters and a bunch of kids, and everything sucks.

How do we know this? It's also Dec. 8. I get the frustration, but they have two-plus months to have an offseason. It's OK.
Guest
12:15
continued. What pitchers are on expiring contracts 2024? Might it behoove a reboot until NEXT offseason? This would give another year to Burrows et al. without pushing Skenes, which might allow him to work on his fastball to give it some "miss-ability". Again, I realize not a popular sentimernt, but if the Pirates flirt with the playoffs, end up .500+, develop the Farm's pitching...that appears like a major win with 2025 being the make or break year.
Jason Mackey
12:16
I don't know what "reboot" means in this context. Like what would that mean roster-wise? They have a bunch of young players. They have money to spend. They should & will spend it. It will hopefully work. You also want the kids to develop. Would a reboot involve telling the kids to not develop until later? Do you not want them to spend a whopping $20 M on a couple players?
Austin
12:16
Are the Pirates shopping Davis or Endy right now?
Jason Mackey
12:17
I don't think they're actively looking to trade either one, no. Would they hang up if someone asked? I don't think so. They have depth, and it may be required to move one to get pitching. I don't know.
Chris
12:17
If payroll increases by 5-10m, is that even enough to put the same team on the field as last year?
Jason Mackey
12:18
You mean year end? It might not be. I would have to go back and add arb bumps afforded Mitch, Bednar, Bru, Borucki, etc. Then look at where Hayes & Reynolds went yearly salary-wise. It might not be. I also think the payroll will go up more than $5 million or $10 million, making this kind of a moot point.
Endy
12:18
Jason, do you think I'm getting traded? I love it in Pittsburgh. Me and Henry are friends and we can handle the catching duties here together. Also why is management against me playing other positions?
Jason Mackey
12:20
Not sure on the second part, Endy. I haven't understood this from the get-go. I thought we would have you and Henry play secondary positions, to see what we had. That said, thought you caught well. I don't know if you're getting traded or not. But I could see a scenario where you're something another team would want, and the Pirates have to make a decision.
bill
12:20
At the Pirates town hall last week, I thought it was telling that when BC was asked about resigning Cutch, he said that there was mutual interest on both ends to get a deal done, but then added that they are monitoring Cutch's recovery from his injury closely. Do you think this the cause for the delay, or do you think it's a disagreement around length of the contract (Cutch wants more years then Pirates will offer)? I really want him back, but not at the detriment to the entire team as a whole
Jason Mackey
12:21
I've heard the same line from Ben three times. I don't have any issue with it. I think they should bring Cutch back. I think he deserves it. But I get Ben's perspective, too. You need to be scrutinizing with dollars because you only get so many as the Pittsburgh GM. Is he insane for wanting to see Cutch hit, throw, run, etc. before signing him? I think that's pretty reasonable.
Mateo
12:21
Can you just do a mass rumor dump on anything pirates related?
Jason Mackey
12:26
A mass rumor dump? Think this is the first time I've been asked for that. Have heard pirates drank grog, which is a mix of rum and water (and sometimes lime and sugar). Also was told the word buccaneer comes from the French boucanier.
Tyler
12:26
Will the Pirates sign a starting pitcher to a multi years deal worth 10-15 a years?
Jason Mackey
12:28
I sure hope so. I get having a finite number of dollars and prioritizing pitching over first base. Took some heat for that, but they need a lot of pitching. That said, the contract terms you presented are hugely reasonable. I think it could happen, too. And, frankly, it better. That's not asking a ton. The only thing I would maybe say is that I do get where they're at -- they have pitching coming with Burrows, Bru, Skenes, Jones, etc. I would only go multiple years with a certain type of guy. Like a Jack Flaherty. Wouldn't do it just to do it.
Matt
12:28
Gonzales was a decent start, but we need more arms. Who are 2 more starters either via trade or FA that you would like to see the Pirates get? Internally, do you like Jared Jones or Quinn Priester as a 5th starter option?
Jason Mackey
12:33
Second part first: Yeah, I like either one. I don't have anything against Ro or Ortiz. I think it depends on who can take steps forward this offseason. But I "like" various parts of all of them. ... My No. 1 is Jack Flaherty. I've been pretty open about that. ... A weird one I've considered: Is Clark Schmidt from the Yankees available? Wonder if they might be trying to upgrade those depth spots. Would also maybe look to Seattle. Bunch of young starters out there. Oscar Marin has a history. Could they get Logan Gilbert? Not sure, but I wouldn't hate it.
Tyler
12:33
Is there pressure for Derek Shelton and Ben Cherington to win this year?
Jason Mackey
12:34
Yes, I think so. Although pressure is relative. But I think their bosses want to see more. I know the fans want -- and deserve -- to see more.
Judy from Carrick
12:34
Jason, I still maintain that Cruz should play CF between Reynolds & Suwinski. Endy & Henry should platoon @ Catcher & 1st Base. Triolo @ SS!  Triolo is their Best Young Player he's NOT a Utility guy he's an EVERYDAY guy. Then GMBC could focus on signing #2 more Free Agent Starting Pitchers. Tell me I'm wrong again and why?
Jason Mackey
12:35
Cruz doesn't wanna play CF, for one. No. 2, if you wanna retain the guy -- like, long-term extension -- you should probably not annihilate your relationship with him. He also improved at SS. Though he's bounced around, Triolo hasn't played a ton of SS. Why would the Pirates put two of the best three arms on the team at first base? Endy, maybe. Not Henry, who has never played there in his life and has the best arm on the team.
Scott
12:36
Who did you hear the pirates attached to whether it be trade or FA while you were at the meetings?
Jason Mackey
12:37
Not a ton, Scott. That's not really how it works. Substantive conversations that happen but don't come to fruition ... those don't get out for obvious reasons. Neither team wants to know they happen. If something gets consummated, obviously that's different. This Pirates regime is also one of the better MLB clubs at keeping things quiet.
Dallas
12:37
im confused what the pirates goal ultimately is? It seems their goal is to do nothing and collect revenue sharing $. They can’t possibly expect to win when even league average starters are out of their price range….
Jason Mackey
12:40
THIS IS NOT A DEFENSE. Every time I answer something like this, people take it like I'm promoting it. I'm trying to answer my understanding of their goal. OK ... I think they want to grow as many positions as possible internally. It's cheaper. It's part of a structure that -- with scouting, drafting, development, international, etc. -- is more repeatable over time. I think they will/want to pour resources into the team via free agency & addressing needs, but they're exceedingly cautious about it. Arguably too cautious. I'm guessing you're talking about 1B. They COULD sign any 1B on the market, but that would take away from a set amount of dollars they're able to spend on pitching. And -- again, not endorsing, just trying to explain -- I think they want to grow the payroll incrementally, not enduring any huge spikes ... which they fear will come crashing down.
Mr. Cutlets
12:40
Thanks for the chat Jason, always appreciate you taking the time. I’m sure we’ll have lots of people rightfully upset over the possible ~5M payroll increase, but my concern remains the pitching. Do you think there’s still a target of 2 viable SP at minimum? Maybe 1 mid-market FA and 1 trade? If we’re interested in Giolito, it’s hard to see how that happens with only ~25M to spend. Maybe Flaherty + someone like Brady Singer via trade? Even that feels optimistic right now.
Jason Mackey
12:42
I think at least one significant move will have to occur via trade, that's for sure. Given the FA prices, I think it makes it tough if we assume their spending will stick to its recent trend. They could still get two more SP, sure. I don't think both would be top end, but Gonzales was only $3 million. Shouldn't break the bank.
Bill Pedutos Beard
12:42
J - Mac, sensing the Andrew McCutcheon situation  is not a done deal for '24, what are you hearing or just a timing issue ?
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