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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 12.08.23
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Derek
1:04
Jason, just wanted to thank Sully and Coach T for taking some of the yinzer heat in this two incline town.
Jason Mackey
1:04
Pittsburgh sports fans in general are just mad right now. You can feel it.
Maz01
1:04
I know there has been positive news on O'Neil Cruz, but the fact that he hasn't played Winter ball yet is concerning. Is the ankle injury going to hamper his ability to play short or steal bases?
Jason Mackey
1:05
I don't see that as an issue. He's been doing everything as normal. It's not a small injury. I also can't see it. But when I watched him hit in Philly, man, he sure didn't look like someone who was physically limited.
Mike
1:05
Am I allowed to be optimistic and think the reason we haven’t seen a lot of the FA front is due to the lack of decision on the TV deal and therefore less of the tired diatribes of our GM being asleep at the wheel or our owner being Cheap?
Jason Mackey
1:07
You can do whatever you want, but that's being optimistic? Could the reason also be that players have options and the Pirates might not be No. 1 for a lot of guys right now? That's OK. You have to work to earn that. Same time -- and I don't know this; I'm just saying it's plausible -- what if Cherington is holding out so as to not make a stupid deal? I think some patience would not be the worst thing. If there are a bunch of holes in February or March, by all means, react. But it's Dec. 8.
Diontae
1:07
Jason, without burning any journalistic bridges, who would say has diva-like qualities on the 40 man?
Jason Mackey
1:08
Honestly, and we had this convo at the Winter Meetings, the Pirates don't really have one of those guys. I know they have struggled to play baseball consistently well, and that's goal No. 1. But they have a lot of really good people in that clubhouse.

Though I should say Bednar is a diva just so it gets back to him and he can gimme crap for it. So, Bednar. Sooo high maintenance. :-)
Tim
1:08
Henry/Endy 50/50 at catcher and once or twice per week each at DH when not catching?  McCutchen DH when they're not and once or twice in the OF?  Delay traded for relief pitcher or part of larger trade package, new guy catching depth?  That's the only way I can make sense of it.
Jason Mackey
1:09
Yeah, but what are Henry and Endy getting out of spending 3-4 days on the bench? You've also traded the only guy who has consistently caught your returning starting rotation (Mitch Keller).
Jerry
1:09
Jason, if you had to choose, early 1970s, 77/78, or the surprising popularity of late eighties Dead?
Jason Mackey
1:09
I'll go '89 first ... '90 is right there ... then '72 ... then '77/
1:10
'78
Bucs Fan in Ga
1:10
Hey Jason, what other Starting Pitchers are the Pirates pushing besides Flaherty? Appreciate your efforts and insight. Coverage from Nashville was awesome! Happy Holidays, Terry
Jason Mackey
1:10
I think Flaherty has been an overreact. Interest and connecting with him are two different things. They have "interest" in a lot of guys. Ones they have aggressively pursued, I have not heard a bunch of names. I don't expect I would either.
Paul
1:11
Jason... Liv is asking if I'll be living in Pittsburgh by the 4th of July. What should I tell her? Go Tigers
Jason Mackey
1:11
Ha. This is good. Livvy will like Pittsburgh. And, yeah. I think yinz both will be here by then.
Michael Ebonezor
1:11
The Pirates don't seem to use the DH as a regular position, but rather rotate guys through there when they need a "day off" from the field.  I think they would be better served by having a full-time DH, and could see Henry Davis there, as I think his bat will eventually play at the major league level.  I don't see it as a fail if Davis winds up a permanent DH.  Your thoughts.
Jason Mackey
1:13
Umm ... well, they kinda had a full-time DH last year with Cutch, though I don't think it's their preferred option. I also don't want Davis to DH. Using 1-1 on a DH ain't great, especially given his arm strength. Now, I do think they might rotate that spot more in '24 because I think it made a difference with Hayes. They're also gonna wanna keep Cruz's bat in the lineup and give Reynolds some time.
Hal
1:13
Jason, are you utilizing one of the large language models to tailor your responses to the yinzer world view?
Jason Mackey
1:13
They should invent a Duolingo for Yinzers. That would be funny.
Wayward
1:13
Jason, who would your favorite dumpster dive of a SP be for this year?
Jason Mackey
1:14
Not sure any of them. Can Marco Gonzales count as that? Would rather they just sign legitimate arms.
Rick
1:14
I don’t like hearing rumors about the Pirates trading away either Henry or Endy until they are fully aware of what level they will contribute to the team.  One or both may be breakout stars as we have seen indications from both.  Henry will figure out right field.  I don’t want a part time , one year pitcher to replace a potential superstar.  Ill wait an extra year for the younger starters to develop and/or get healthy
Jason Mackey
1:14
That's a completely reasonable and well thought out opinion, Rick. I think that way sometimes, too. I think it would depend a lot on the potential return. But my value line would be very high.
Riley
1:14
Is there any chance the Pirates sign a guy like Rhys Hoskins? I keep hearing bringing back an old Carlos Santana or Joey Votto. I understand youth keeps costs down, but how can you gain interest of quality guys in the league when you sign retreads like this?
Jason Mackey
1:15
I don't think that's something they're interested in doing, no.
Maz01
1:15
Jason, why would it be better for the Pirates TV to be with NESN then MLB?
Jason Mackey
1:16
Couple reasons: 1. An hour of pregame/postgame gives fans more content. The MLB model is only like 15 minutes. 2. NESN model would also keep something like Inside Pirates Baseball going. It's a way to highlight stuff in the organization. 3. It's easier for fans to find. They're used to the drill of punching up 576 or whatever to find games.
Mike
1:16
Can we just give Flaherty the “Liriano” deal and then shoot to sign someone like Lorenzen for a pair of years at like 75% the Liriano rate? Or am I Off-season pipe dreaming again?
Jason Mackey
1:17
You're probably pipe-dreaming. Not sure Flaherty would have to settle for that. He may have other options. I think you're also intimating Lorenzen would take a discount. Not sure why he would do that.
Rob
1:17
Thoughts on the Pirates' moves in the minors. anything that has, of certain, caught your eye in interest.
Jason Mackey
1:17
He shouldn't be the answer, but I thought Seth Beer was an interesting pick. He has certainly hit in the past. Someone to follow in the higher levels, if nothing else.
Sport
1:17
Jason--Basically the same squad--with said injuries--opening 2024 isn't qa disater.
Jason Mackey
1:18
Yeah, they need to improve things. But this is essentially the point I was making earlier.
Sport
1:18
But back to  the old elephant in the room, with an owner who doesn't have to win to make money, hopes for the PBC adding quality FAs fade.
Jason Mackey
1:18
You're allowed to feel however you want. I would point to 2013-15 and a $100 million payroll in '16. Nutting didn't stop that. Why would he stop this?
Caelan
1:18
In your estimation, what is still on the Pirates offseason shopping list? 2 more starters and a 1B? An OFer? What do you think?
Jason Mackey
1:19
One legit starter. Two if they can. I realize funds could be tight. Some sort of LH offensive upgrade at 1B. I'd pass on the OF thing. SP is much more of a priority for me.
Steve I
1:19
Jason, with 4 of the top 5 prospects being pitchers, do you see any chance of a prospect swap? I.e. we have a bunch of pitching prospects, you have a bunch of position players.  Let’s swap one we both like.  Kind of like Pablo Lopez for Luis Arrez
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