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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 12.16.20
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Jason Mackey
11:37
Hello, everyone. Welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. We'll get started at noon, but feel free to ask whatever is on your mind right now. Will be back soon to answer anything and everything. Thanks, Jason.
12:02
And away we go ...
Yuri
12:02
Hello Jason. Have you heard if the Pirates have an interest in any of the available free agent catchers?  Thank you.
Jason Mackey
12:03
Hi Yuri, I have not. As I've said on here a few times, I don't think they're going to be targeting specific guys. Their focus is the future. As for now, I think their play is going to be signing guys to fill holes at minimal cost. (Cue the jokes about this being their perpetual strategy.) But bottom line, shopping in this particular store makes things hard to predict. Kinda like Gabe's.
Donna
12:03
Hi Jason...any news on the Frazier, Taillon, Bell or Musgrove trade rumors?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:04
Hi, Donna. Nothing more than what has been reported. I know the Pirates and Yankees have talked about Bell and Taillon. Plenty of interest in Frazier and Musgrove. A surprising amount on Taillon. Apparently Cherington is listening on everything. Wouldn't be surprised if he makes a couple of moves.
V. Fontaine
12:04
Thanks for your coverage of the Pirates. It's excellent. When I read that David Dahl was non-tendered, I immediately thought he'd be a great signing for the Pirates. He has the pedigree, can play LF or CF, and has had some success. He's had a tough time staying healthy but the upside is there. And he's young. You mentioned him in an article. How realistic is it that he could be signed?
Jason Mackey
12:05
Hey V. He already signed with the Rangers; so, that shipped has sailed. I thought this was an opportunity for the Pirates. A chance to buy relatively low, get a guy with potential and maybe try to keep him for a few years. At minimum, he fills a hole while potentially becoming someone you can flip if it doesn't work out. Sadly, I guess even $3 million or so is too much.
Guest
12:05
I’m anticipating the speedy and gifted Anthony Alford at leadoff, followed by K’B Hayes, then Reynolds,  Is this your suspicion, at this very early stage?  Who do you see, Jason, who may surprise and grab a starting spot?  Might Swaggerty be candidate for RF?
Jason Mackey
12:08
That's how I would dummy out the top two, too, at least at this point. Would probably have Reynolds hit third, Bell fourth and Moran fifth, assuming the DH stays. ... Swaggerty is a mystery to me. Good chance he would have started at Class AA this year. DIdn't hear a ton about him at Altoona, and he was never promoted. Hard to get a feel for what the new regime thinks about him. I think he could be a candidate, but I don't see it happening right away. I think he probably has to put up some better numbers in the minors before they do that. Same time, I also wouldn't mind seeing them slow-play this a little considering he's never played above Class A.
Guest
12:08
Hi Jason, I would like to see the Pirates sign Kevin Pillar to play CF, but i would be comfortable with Anthony Alford as their CF, what have they got to lose with Alford? Your thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:10
I used to be on the Pillar train. Now, as I think more about their total situation, why? What does he give you? Let's get nuts and say he nets five more wins or something like that. He won't, but go with me. Have they become a playoff team? Will they contend? I don't think so. So what have you really done? You've put lipstick on a pig and knocked your 2021 draft pick down a few spots. I'd rather see them give Alford a chance. Or even Jared Oliva or Swaggerty.
New Castle Pete
12:10
If they draft Rocker number 1, should they try to draft a catcher from Vanderbilt also. At least he would know Rocker’s pitching.
Jason Mackey
12:11
I'm completely confident that Jacob Stallings could learn Rocker, should the need arise. Secondarily, they never skew toward a catcher because he knows a pitcher. They should take the best available player/catcher.
Jack
12:11
with how bad the team is, how does the front office evaluate Derrek Shelton? I’m afraid they’ll just reward perennial mediocrity like they did with Clint because it’s familiar and comfortable. To be honest I’m not sure he is the right guy once all the prospects arrive.
Jason Mackey
12:13
That's speculation on your part, an opinion. We don't know. You're judging how well Derek Shelton cooked a dinner with very little food in the fridge and an order from Whole Foods on the way; it's not fair. You have to let this play out. Sure, they can evaluate decisions, lineups, moves, temperament, vibe around team, etc. All kinds of stuff. I don't think Shelton is above criticism. But I don't think we can conclude that he's not the right guy for the job based on a 19-41 season with this particular group.
Guest
12:14
Jason, it was reported last week that the Yankees initiated interest in Josh Bell & Jamison Tallion. With Voit at 1b, and Stanton as the dh, would this then be a possible three way deal? And if not, what type of talent could the Pirates expect from the Yankees? Austin Wells, Clarke Schmidt & Deivi Garcia as a possible return?
Jason Mackey
12:15
Ha. It was reported ... yes, by me. I don't know specific players that were discussed. Honestly, I think a lot of it was kicking tires on the Yankees part, who initiated the talks. I don't cover them, nor do I have a great grasp of their farm system. I'm sorry.
Prince Bob
12:15
I know you'v written several times that you think when the Pirates seem ready to compete again Bob Nutting will spend to add to the team and that you think he recognizes that he made a mistake not doing that in 2015. How have you come to that conclusion, have their been things he's said, or is it just a feeling? No matter, have a good Christmas.
Jason Mackey
12:16
Thanks, Gunner. Same to you. ... Yes, there have been things said. A lot of them. By Ben Cherington and Travis Williams, both on the record. A ton of it off-the-record. Some of it feel, too. Stems from a one-on-one conversation I had with Bob. I will link a few of those below. Also was reassured to me again the other day: The target date is a couple years out, but they fully intend on "going for it" when that window opens back up.
Also, keep in mind this quote from Travis Williams: "I don’t think Ben Cherington or I come here without knowing that we were going to have a commitment to provide the resources we need to be successful."
bigk
12:19
pirates need new a new owner!
Jason Mackey
12:20
Have not heard that before. Is that a common opinion amongst the fan base?
Guest
12:20
Jason, Could you see the Pirates moving Joe Musgrove & Adam Frazier to the Blue Jays for Gabiel Moreno & Adam Kloffenstein or something to that nature. Moreno would be the prize.
Jason Mackey
12:23
It's fictitious, spitball-a-trade season! Given the state of the Pirates and the obvious need for talent, nothing outside of Ben Cherington guzzling nerve-tonic or Derek Shelton falling down the Pittsburgh Mystery Hole would surprise me at this point.
Ted
12:23
Any action happening on the Yankees/Pirates front with Taillon and/or Bell? Or just preliminary talk now?
Jason Mackey
12:23
Just preliminary talk as far as I've heard.
BranchRichey
12:23
Nice scoop on the Taillon-Bell Yankees interest? Why didn’t it go anywhere?
Jason Mackey
12:24
Thanks, Branch. This is normal. I wouldn't call it dead. These things happen. The Yankees see an opportunity. Maybe they make an offer. The Pirates are only going to do it if they feel like it sets them up for a couple years from now. But it does make sense.
SalemPirate
12:24
If there's no NL dh  in 2021 who do you feel will be the first baseman and what happens to the other?
Jason Mackey
12:25
I honestly wouldn't be surprised if that puts into motion a trade for Bell. (I don't think you could get much for Moran, and he's much cheaper.) I see no way you could appropriately split at-bats among two guys who really can't play anywhere else. If you don't think you can keep Bell -- that has to be a thought -- and you want to try and get something for Taillon, it may be time.
PiratesBlogs
12:26
What’s with RumBunter? A lot of speculation in those stories. Interesting reads but no meat on the bones. What say you?
Jason Mackey
12:30
One, I like reading Rum Bunter. Two, there are a lot of ... let's say non-traditional media outlets that do a tremendous job of covering the team. My views on that dating back to hockey have always been that the people with access (me) and the people without (Rum Bunter, etc.) should work together. They use what they need, and I appreciate when they reference and link my/the Post-Gazette's work. Not all sites do that. At the same time, they're usually writing from a fan's perspective -- which is fine -- and that differs from mine. I mean, it's 2020. This internet thing is cool. There should be a bunch of outlets "covering" a team, and I'm completely cool with that looking a little different from place to place. This doesn't apply here, since again I like the site, but I'm also never going to criticize another outlet in public.
WinterBallCrystalBall
12:30
Do you give Polanco a chance in RF because of his salary or do you just move on?
Jason Mackey
12:30
I give him a chance because of his salary. That's a lot of money to pay for nothing. Especially on a team that struggles with a willingness to pay for something.
Murph
12:31
I'm sure this has been asked before.  Has there been any discussion about playing Bell in the outfield?  Couldn't be any worse that he is at first and it would be a way to get both his and Moran's bats in the lineup if there's no DH in '21.
Jason Mackey
12:33
Not as of yet. However, Cherington and Shelton have both said that, if the DH leaves in 2021, one of the two would have to switch positions. Would have to imagine Bell playing some outfield is the only possible option, although I don't like the sound of that one bit. Figure neither will move anywhere else in the infield, right? And who would you rather have in the outfield, Bell or Moran? Moran has very little experience out there. But I also wouldn't be thrilled about Bell being in the outfield.
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