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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 12.18.19
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Jason Mackey
12:02
Hey folks. Good afternoon. We're gonna chat Pirates here starting at 1, but you can ask your questions now. I'll be back shortly to answer them. Thanks!
1:02
OK, folks. Let's do this.
Jeff
1:02
The Pirates have made some good moves (at least from what I've read) when hiring their team president, general manager, and manager.  Unless ownership loosens up the purse strings to acquire some talent, will these new hires make any difference?
Jason Mackey
1:04
I understand this sentiment. I get it a lot. People can only get so excited because they want Bob Nutting to spend more. OK. That's fair. Here's where I come down on it: I'm OK not spending a ton now, if these guys have some sort of guarantee that Nutting will spend later. In other words, get the right people in place, get more talent, improve your processes, all that stuff. Maybe over-achieve a little bit. Then, once you feel better about where you're at, then you need to spend more to enhance the major league club. If they don't do that, then, yeah, that would be bad.
dbirwin738
1:04
How can the new management team expect pirate fans, who are tired of the BS, expect us to get excited about a defensive catcher cast off by the Blue Jays who can't hit is weight?   The old regime would have been excoriated for this lack luster move.
Jason Mackey
1:06
I wouldn't expect you to get excited about Luke Maile. That's insulting -- to think that .151 is OK. It's not. But by the same token, I think it's fair to approach this with an open mind. He's making $900,000 and plays pretty good defense. He has a history with Cherington, Shelton and Steve Sanders. Maybe they see something. At minimum, what if he can manage to hit .220 or .230 and play really good defense? I'm fine with that. I also think they might try to get someone else back there who's a little more offensive-minded. But, no, it's reasonable to not get excited. I think we should all just try and let things play out at least a little under this new regime before jumping to any conclusions.
pozone
1:06
Jason any good rumors on Free Agents or trades?
Jason Mackey
1:06
Nope. Only bad ones.
Jeff
1:07
The huge contracts recently signed by Strasburg, Cole, and Rendon clearly show there are haves and have-nots in baseball.  The current economic structure makes it that way.  Small market teams may win a World Series here and there, but none can sustain that success.  What can be done so the small market teams can consistently contend if they are properly managed?
Jason Mackey
1:09
Apparently we're going down the finances road today ... I'd love to see baseball change its structure, believe me. I think a salary cap works for every other sport, so why not baseball? But I don't think it's realistic. No way the MLBPA is ever gonna let that happen, sadly. And, yeah, it completely screws small-market teams. That said, you can be a lot better at the small-market thing than the Pirates have been lately and you can at least keep yourselves in the mix, then go for it when you have a chance.
Danny
1:09
Could the Pirates realistically land someone like Campusano from SD, Huff from TEX or Varsho from ARZ in a potential Starling Marte trade?
Jason Mackey
1:12
I have a tough time seeing that. I think the Pirates should do any of those deals if they're presented, but I can't imagine those teams would part with those prospects for Marte. Might be a little too slanted toward the Pirates.
Uncle T
1:12
Anything to say about strengths of new pitching coach?
Jason Mackey
1:13
I like that he's younger. He's into biomechanics, tech, all that stuff. I also like some of what he said about this being a team approach, because that's what it is. And I like how he's acknowledging there's a currency to this game, and the Pirates need to catch up. I liked Ray Searage a lot. Great guy, great quote, etc. I think he was smart, too. But I think the Pirates had fallen behind in a lot of areas, and I think there was some sort of systematic failure -- not just Ray -- to admit that.
Dan
1:13
Do you see anyway the Pirates would take on JA Happs contract if the Yankees ate some money and added a prospect? I think he would be a great addition to a young pitching staff...also if the Pirates trade Marte they sure as heck need to abb a couple of outfielders...thoughts...and Merry Christmas
Jason Mackey
1:18
I'll take the second part of that first. ... Yes, if they move Marte, they would absolutely need to repurpose some of that money into the outfield. That wouldn't be terribly hard. I also think it would make a ton of sense for them to move Marte, get something back, then allocate those dollars elsewhere -- maybe an outfielder and an offensive-minded catcher. Or a pitcher. ... I don't see Happ ... wait for it ... happening. Makes too much money. I think other teams are more interested. He's 37. I worry about the performance (5.22 FIP). While there's some familiarity with Shelton and Cherington, I just don't see it making a ton of sense.
The old news hound
1:18
likelihood of a Marte trade? And if so what would you like to see come back to Pittsburgh in a deal?
Jason Mackey
1:19
I think Marte will get moved. Just a matter of when. I'd expect a couple OK prospects. I don't think we're in a situation where the Pirates can hold out for a club's top and third-best prospect; Marte isn't what Felipe Vazquez was at the time, and even that never happened. I do think one of the prospects will be a catcher, and I could see the Pirates wanting in return a major league outfielder, a Brandon Nimmo type.
Michael in WA
1:19
Hi Jason, do you think Cherington would have taken the job without at least some assurance from Nutting that payroll could be significantly increased at some point down the road ?  (like 30-50% increase ?)
Jason Mackey
1:20
No, I don't. Wrote a little about this earlier, but I think there's likely something here -- same as for a lot of teams, honestly -- where Cherington can get Nutting to spend more by winning. If they turn things around and Nutting can see that adding to the major league payroll will improve their chances of playoffs and that sort of stuff, I believe Cherington took this job believing that will happen. But you have to get there first before you worry about it. I think Nutting probably wants to see improvement without spending a ton more first.
Midstate Pirate Fan
1:21
Is there a reason to be excited over the hiring of Oscar Marin? His background and prior experiences seem uninspiring. Is there something in his background, experiences, or approach that has been missed in the articles I've read?
Jason Mackey
1:22
I don't know what sort of "inspired" background would exist for a pitching coach. He's a pitching coach. Who's the last pitching coach you read about and thought, "Wow, his background is all-encompassing, he's done a zillion different things, he's a genius?" He's a pitching coach. And if he can modernize the Pirates, I don't care if he came from Sunoco.
Buccs72
1:22
So Bob Nutting cleans house on his front office and hires a much ballyhooed new front office.  But convince me it isn't business as usual.  They have a  huge need for a starting catcher and so far they only sign a guy who batted .151 and has never caught more than 68 games in a season.  Other small market teams in division like Cincy and Milwaukee are active signing real free agents.  The Pirates?  Nada.  Names change the results the same?
Jason Mackey
1:22
Head. Desk.
1:25
And I get it. Yinz wanna see the owner spend, and you're not wrong. I just don't know how many different ways I can answer the same questions. ... Lemme do it again. ... It is possible to win in a small market. Look at Oakland, Tampa Bay ... even Milwaukee or Minnesota. Yes, World Series odds go down, challenges are greater. I get all that. Can still happen. The problem here is the Pirates have stunk at the small-market thing -- identifying market inefficiencies; taking chances; being progressive thinkers; drafting and developing better than most; making smart free-agent acquisitions and winning the trades they do make -- lately. The narrative could change if the Pirates get better at the small-market thing. The narrative could change if the owner reciprocates on that work by adding to the major league club when appropriate. I understand why you might question that happening, but we also can't say for sure that it won't, right?
JimM
1:25
Jason, I’d be interested to know if Ben Cherington would consider playing top players like Marte to the end of their contracts and accepting the 1st round & compensatory round picks in return. It seems in retrospect that would have been the better approach on Walker and Cole.
Jason Mackey
1:26
That's an interesting theory, Jim. And honestly, given Cherington is still relatively new, I can't say for sure. I will sa that, if he can acquire proper prospects and execute this type of trade well -- which he has done -- then I would prefer that route; I think you can get more. Again, if you do it right.
Mark
1:27
Hey Jason.  Thanks for doing this.  I was hoping for a solid 4th place finish this year but after seeing who the Reds signed (and still may sign), that dream died.  Do you think our 93 loss Buccos will stand pat and hope everyone plays better?
Jason Mackey
1:28
I'm not expecting them to add a ton. However, I do think they will improve. I think much of the '19 team was checked out, tired of the old regime. They'll get some bullpen arms back, and I think the pitching can really stand to improve. If it does, that stuff mixed with a new attitude should have the Pirates playing respectable baseball again. If I had to predict right now, I'd probably put them around 82-84 wins.
AndyBVA
1:28
They gonna sign any in the mlb or trade???? I like the maile signing defensive wise. But they need more power
Jason Mackey
1:29
Yeah, I don't have any issue with the Maile signing. I'd actually like to see them pursue some offense via the outfield. I like Polanco, but he scares me. I like Reynolds/Marte (or replacement acquired via trade)/Polanco, but I'd really like to have another piece there. ... More power would not hurt, but that usually costs a lot. I'm also curious if they can juice more out internally.
POLKY
1:29
will they sign a free-agent SP to a major league contract?
Jason Mackey
1:30
Yeah, I think so. I don't think it'll be a terribly flashy signing, but I think they bring in one more guy there, a Jordan Lyles type.
Dan
1:30
What are you hearing on the health of Kuhl Santana and Brubaker ?
Jason Mackey
1:30
They have it. Ha. ... All three are in the middle of their normal offseason throwing programs, expected to be ready for the start of spring training.
Matt from LA
1:30
Total rebuild or a few additions to appease the masses?
Jason Mackey
1:32
I don't think it's that simple, one. I tackled that topic a little while back here: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2019/12/06/pirates-rebuild...
But I think they will try to make a couple calculated trades to acquire more talent while also pressing on with much of the existing group. It'll sort of be a mix of the two approaches.
Buccs72
1:32
I dont understand why you are willing to give Mr. Nutting any time to increase his payroll.  Other small market teams are at least spending $100 million and more.  The Pirates are in the $70's million payroll.  Why not add another $20 million or so and immediately infuse a few proven MLB players to plug obvious holes?  Why wait?
Jason Mackey
1:33
I'm not Bob Nutting's boss. I'm not giving him time or not giving him time. I'm trying to answer the question of what I think will happen. That's what I think will happen. ... Again, I agree with you. I wish they spent $20 million than they do. I think that's a reasonable ask for fans. But I'm not sitting here telling Bob Nutting to wait until 2021 or 2022 to do it, trust me.
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