JotCast | Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 12.23.22

Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 12.23.22

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Jason Mackey

12:58

There's a chance, yeah. Got this one earlier. Think I put it around 40%.

Philly bob

12:58

Any chance they bring back cutch?

Jason Mackey

12:58

Have not heard that it's being seriously considered.

GPT

12:58

With all due respect to Austin Hedges and Tyler Chatwood, the Reynolds trade (sure seems like it's a matter of when, not if) is the biggest transaction affecting the Pirates short and long term future. Do you get the impression BC will be under any constraints from ownership as to the return?

Jason Mackey

12:58

It's a big trade, no doubt. And, no, I have not heard that he will be under any constraints.

Dirty Doug

12:58

Who leads off for us as of today?

Jason Mackey

12:58

I would go with Bae.

Joel

12:58

If you had to choose one guy whose improvement would make the most difference to the Pirates in 2023 and beyond, who would it be?

Jason Mackey

12:59

I would go with Oneil Cruz. Sorry if that's obvious. But we're talking about a bonafide star if he fixes left-on-left, his work against some breaking stuff and the defense.

Trey

12:59

Hey, I thought you earned your pay by following and reporting on the Pirates, and the Pirates only. Did you finagle that FLA Pens boondoggle to jam some Phish away from the family stress for a few days? If so, nice......

Jason Mackey

1:00

That trip was booked while I was in my old job, and we didn't want to waste the plane fare. I would have much rather have been home with my family, believe me. Ditto for my January trip to Vegas and Arizona. I'm gone enough during baseball, believe me.

AndyVan18

1:00

Happy Holidays Jason. Is TSwag in their plans at all do you think or is he just a victim of being from the previous regime? You never hear his name anymore.

Jason Mackey

1:00

Right. Sure doesn't seem like it. And if you made me give you a yes/no -- suppose you are -- I would say he's not in their plans.

BVA123

1:00

Cutch reunion???

Jason Mackey

1:01

I doubt it. I think Cutch will have other options, and this group isn't that emotionally attached. They can replace his production for a lot less.

Drew

1:01

I'm only half joking here...but...Recalling that the Josh Bell trade was announced on Christmas Eve, would you be terribly surprised if a Reynolds trade was announced tomorrow?

Jason Mackey

1:02

Sadly, no, I wouldn't. And as the father of two little kids -- 4 and 9 -- I hope to God the Pirates can let families enjoy their Christmas the next two days. Nothing is that important. But again, they seem to like cover for doing stuff like this, and the Reynolds deal obviously isn't going to go over well.

Geno

1:02

Jason, just wanted to remind everyone that I'm having a pretty nice start to the year, despite not knowing some basic defensive concepts at 36 years of age. Have a good one.

Jason Mackey

1:02

Nice work, G. You've been playing excellent hockey.

Drew

1:02

I enjoyed your piece about Vernon Law. As he, Dick Groat, and Elroy Face are all in their 90s, now, any idea when the Pirates might announce this year's Hall of Fame class?

Jason Mackey

1:02

I would imagine mid-to-late summer, Drew. And thank you. Glad you enjoyed it!

Brandon Lee

1:02

Hi Jason, Cherington said he’d like to add a position player and starting pitcher. Who would your targets be? I am thinking Kluber would be a good veteran to bring in, but as far as a position player I am not sure where they add unless Reynolds gets traded.

Jason Mackey

1:03

Yeah, I kinda view the Reynolds deal as a key to that. Not sure I think Kluber would be the pitcher. I still see Michael Pineda as someone who fits that. Even a Wade Miley. A rehab, low-risk move. Position-player-wise, I think they need to let the young guys play.

Philly bob

1:03

Jason, do the pirates have any interest in bringing back mccutchen? Any loyalty there?

Jason Mackey

1:03

Yinz guys interested in Cutch returning or something? Fourth time I got this.

Cam

1:04

Do you ever get the sense Ben Cherington gets frustrated by his lack of budget?

AndyVan18

1:04

I think Pirate fans still get irritable because they read there are 5 Pirates (per Baseball Reference) drawing a typical salary & the.other 35 on the roster are in "arbitration" type mode. Many also feel Cherington is blowing more smoke when he opens his mouth anymore..

Jason Mackey

1:04

I don't. I think he knew what he was signing up for when he took the job.

1:05

AndyVan18: I think you're confusing arbitration with team control. TC = cheap. Arbitration = when salaries start to rise.

K. Hayes

1:05

Jason, put on your prognosticator cap. Will I ever hit .280 with 15 round trippers and 80 RBI? That would be a solid year with my defense. Your holiday thoughts? Gracias.

Jason Mackey

1:05

Yeah, I see that a possibility for you. I think it's in there.

AndyVan18

1:05

Steve Cohen is the new "George Steinbrenner". What do you think it's going to look like when this CBA is up in 2026?

Jason Mackey

1:05

I hope it looks like a cap and floor.

Paul

1:06

Isn't the Castillo move an indication that the Pirates see Bae as a better option as in infielder than outfielder? I mean sure, Castro might be the first choice, but he's far from a proven commodity.

Jason Mackey

1:06

Nah, I wouldn't read too much into it. I think they view Bae as someone who can go either place. A lot of this will be incumbent on finding spots for guys who hit. Got something earlier on Castro relative to this. I really don't think they have a preference.

Ernest H.

1:06

Jason, you are tending to get a bit too verbose in your responses, at least to my liking. Please keep them short and sweet. Papa.

Jason Mackey

1:06

Got it. Thanks.

Mark

1:07

Hi Jason. Serious question. Why was a $7 million salary OK for washed up 37 year old one dimensional Carlos Santana, but $6 million a year was too much for 30 year old multi dimensional all star Adam Frazier? I realize one was one year and the other would have been multi year but you can always trade a guy. As real major league teams have shown, younger isn't always better. Thank you.

Jason Mackey

1:07

I don't know if both offers were on the table, one. But if you're Adam Frazier, look at the two teams. Which one would you choose?

Arriba

1:07

Hey Jason, appreciate your work. With the 50th anniversary of Roberto’s tragic passing approaching, are the Pirates planning any special commemoration to honor this great player and humanitarian? Also, should/will MLB retire his number? Best wishes to this holiday season.

Connecting…

Philly bob

5:23

Jason,

Chris R.

5:25

Jason, Hotel Illness is one of the greatest, least appreciated freaking rocking songs by any artist, let alone a solid music man such as myself. Your thoughts?

Mike S

5:26

Hello Jason, thanks for the chat and merry Christmas. With Oneil Cruz seemingly sticking at short for now, what is the plan for Liover Peguero? Is he in line for a position change or will Cruz eventually end up in right field and Peguero sticking at short?

Chris R.

5:28

Hypnotized by your rotten behavior. I always thought "raunchy" would have been a better lyric. Still one hell of a jam. Concurrence on your end?

Ryan

5:32

Good afternoon Jason what starting pitchers available for us to sign Merry Christmas and Happy New year

J$Money

5:33

What percent chance do you see the Pirates bringing back McCutcheon? And what team looking for an outfielder do you believe has the best assets to obtain in a Reynolds trade? Thank you and Merry Christmas!

Bob

5:37

Jason, should I have held onto those cold weather assets for awhile longer? I bought into the global warming thing, I guess. Buy low, sell high is always the goal, no?

Jerry

5:49

Jason, trying desperately to head where those chilly winds don't blow, but I'm frozen out of my VW Microbus. You happen to have any of that stuff they squirt into door locks?

Lionel Richie

6:10

Jason, please tell Steve I said “Hello.”🎵. Thanks.

C. Barnett

6:18

Jason, were you aware that there were some fine Aussie guitarists?

Courtney

6:24

Jason, if you like fine guitar work, check out me shredding on Turning Green. You are welcome.

Mike S

6:32

Not sure why they would sign a guy like vince velasquez and put him in the bullpen. Agreed? I would think he is line to be the 4th or 5th starter in the rotation?

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