You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 12.22.23
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Justin
12:26
When a guy like Jay Jackson wants to go to Japan to pursue an opportunity, is that something the Pirates can say no to?  Do players need the club's blessing to be released to another league?
Jason Mackey
12:28
Andre Jackson and good question. I don't know if it has ever happened, honestly. Maybe it has. I'm not on the inside. It's usually more cooperative -- that doesn't feel like the right word -- than anything. With the team needing space or not valuing the player and the player seeing value elsewhere.
12:29
Obviously a player can't just not play and go to another MLB club. But I would be curious on the language on refusing to play in MLB but going overseas. MLB can't make you work for an MLB team, though it can preclude you from working for others.
Austin
12:29
I’m sure this question is going to be asked a bunch. Any thoughts on who the Pirates may be targeting as their controllable starter?
Jason Mackey
12:29
There are lots of targets, and these rarely -- including in this case -- get out.
Mateo
12:29
Any truth to the Pirates are in on Imanaga speculation?
Jason Mackey
12:31
In vs. close, right? Given what they've done around the Pacific Rim and how much they investigate most things, would not shock me at all if they're involved & have had conversations, along with a number of other teams. Have not seen or heard that they're a favorite or finalist, though.
Justin
12:31
While wondering who the pirates might dfa for Cutch/Perez, i couldnt help but wonder what the plan for Canaan Smith-Njigba might still be.  it's hard to believe most of baseball would want to use a 40 man spot on him but maybe you have heard the team is still excited about him?
Jason Mackey
12:31
Haven't heard anyone say much about him. Sure they like him as minor league depth, but yeah, doesn't seem a real clear pathway to playing time here. Wouldn't shock me if they traded him, honestly.
Caelan
12:31
Gut feeling. Do we see the trade we’re all waiting for by the end of the year?
Jason Mackey
12:32
Mine: yes.
Judy
12:32
When can the 4 Injured Players spots on the 40 Man Roster (i.e. Endy, Oviedo, Burrows & Brubaker) be filled?
Jason Mackey
12:32
It's in spring training, March. Believe last year it was like March 19 (going from memory because there are a lot of questions).
Bucky
12:32
Who from the middle infield cluster do you think is the most likely to be dealt?
Jason Mackey
12:32
I think Gonzales or Peguero probably hold the most value to other teams.
Justin
12:32
when cutch said something to the effect of "rebuilding is over.  time to win" to you get the sense that the team ensured to him that a few more impactful moves were coming, or was it more  just him musing about what he wants to happen?
Jason Mackey
12:33
Maybe a little bit of both. Cutch no doubt has a special line to Bob Nutting and others. He should have a sense of the plan. He's also not an idiot. Pirates have been rebuilding and growing up and all that. He's right. It's time to transition from that into winning.
PrinceBob
12:34
I suspect this question may be born of the cynicism I might have picked up from following the Pirates in the past thirty or so years, but why was Kansas City willing to trade Olivares? His numbers show promise, he's under team control, and they aren't an organization that's got more talent than they know what to do with. Is Nadal  considered a future Hall of Famer?  Am I just way too jaded?
Jason Mackey
12:36
Cynicism and Pirates fans? Noooo. From what I could tell, the Royals needed the roster spot for Chris Stratton. They also added Hunter Renfroe. I think Olivares will come with faults -- have read about some swing and miss, plus mental mistakes. And maybe they didn't want any more of that? Was a little surprised myself, but hard to produce the numbers he did on accident. Maybe he's a bad breaker upper or something. (Seinfeld)
Ron
12:36
Who would you personally like to see the Pirates acquire to take a place in the rotation?
Jason Mackey
12:36
Dylan Cease.
Guest
12:36
What is holding up the signing of Martin Perez? And putting him on the 40 man roster?
Jason Mackey
12:36
They need to get him here for a physical. I don't know his offseason whereabouts, but it's my understanding that that has not yet happened.
Scott
12:36
Do you think any of the prospects are untouchable?
Jason Mackey
12:37
Umm, I mean, they would be foolish to trade Paul Skenes or Termarr Johnson. But among guys who've played MLB games, no. I don't think anyone falls into that category. List might only be 2-4 names long period.
Russ
12:37
Hi Jason, thanks for all your great work coverings the Bucs!
To actually make a trade for Dylan Cease, who is the highest prospect we should consider giving up as the center piece? Termarr? Chandler? Solometo? Those seem too high to me considering Cease’s controllable years, but won’t it take that type of prospect?
Jason Mackey
12:38
I would need to see the deal to say on Termarr. Would really, really like to not trade him. If it's for Cease and I had to give up Chandler or Solometo, I would do that. And, yeah, you're right. It might take that type. The White Sox can be very picky.
Tyler
12:38
Any truth to the Dylan Cease rumors?
Jason Mackey
12:38
That were started by a parody account (of me)? Dude. Come on.
Justin
12:39
There seems to be at least a hint of the team feeling as though there's a core competency here with getting the most out of crafty veteran lefties.    Do you think that's a real feeling within the team - that they are specifically good at buying low on crafty lefties - , or is it just a small sample coincidence there with Anderson, Quintana, Gonzales, and Perez?  Heck, should we *expect* their coming "big" acquisition to be a lefty?
Jason Mackey
12:40
We'll see. I would be surprised if the next pitcher they added was left-handed. I think it's partly functional -- PNC Park plays well to lefties. Right-handed hitters, the Notch, etc. They've also gotten guys with great character, who had something to prove, a track record of doing this well, and they've found areas to help the pitchers.
Russ
12:40
Ohtani, Glasnow, Yamamoto, and the rest of the Dodgers cast. How do we not hate them and root for them to be the 2023 Mets?! Haha
Jason Mackey
12:40
I don't fault them. They're allowed. But it does make me hate baseball's financial structure even more. It's ridiculous.
Russ
12:40
Hi Jason, what is a realistic return for Brubaker and Burtows this season? Midsummer for them to be up to speed?
Jason Mackey
12:41
Yeah, about that. And expect some kid-glove treatment once they do. Pirates are gonna proceed with caution, for good reason.
Justin
12:41
What do you think ends up happening with Bailey Falter?   Trading Rodolfo Castro for a SP who is out of  minor league options and who probably isnt good enough to make the rotation (esp if they get one more guy) just feels pointless at the moment. Do you or anyone youve talked to with the team think that Falter's stuff could really spike in relief?
Jason Mackey
12:42
Man, good question. One recent GMBC avail, he dropped Bailey Falter being an important part of the pitching staff. That surprised me. I think they think a lot of him. We'll see. But I have been underwhelmed thus far. Super nice guy but hasn't pitched all that well here.
PrinceBob
12:42
What do you think of the Ohtani deal? If I understand it correctly the Dodgers avoid some luxury tax problems by deferring so much money?  Should that be allowed? Do you think this will be the start of a trend with really high profile players?
Jason Mackey
12:43
I hate it, frankly. I don't think it should be allowed.   I think it makes a mockery of the system, and I think absolutely teams will copy it and try to exploit the rules. There should be a cap designed to limit -- and bring up -- the amount teams spend. It's amazing how something like that works fine in football, basketball and hockey. But magically magically has a better idea. No, ya don't.
brucelet
12:43
Why not sign Trevor Bauer? He seems to be exonerated from the charges and he would make a good #1.
Connecting…