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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 12.30.20
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Jason Mackey
12:36
Hmm ... let's go three years just to make sure we include Rocker. ... Having not seen some of these guys, remember, I'm gonna go: Priester, Keller, Rocker, Malone and Mlodzinksi. Maybe Brubaker sticks around. I can see Kuhl and Brault being gone by then. Possible Malone could still need a little time.
Jack
12:36
Thanks Jason, great analysis on the time line BC was facing w Bell
Jason Mackey
12:36
Thank you, Dave. I appreciate that.
Dave
12:36
Any chance spring training games will be open to the public in Bradenton? Figuring not but any official word yet?
Jason Mackey
12:38
No official word yet on anything. Shoot, we don't even know when spring training will be. Seriously. I normally have a house down there reserved by now. I can't do anything because we have no assurances of when it will start. I'm sure the players are in the same boat. Figure we'll get that, then figure out the fan component. ... I do think there's a chance, though. I wouldn't rule out some fans being allowed in.
Percy
12:38
If Frazier is moved, do u think Nick Gonzalez gets a chance to earn the 2nd base job in spring training?
Jason Mackey
12:38
I think that's probably a little aggressive. That being said, he's very mature for his age and not far off. But let's remember that he's yet to play a minor league game. I certainly wouldn't expect anything, but I suppose he could surprise.
Danny
12:38
I hope we look to add some vets that at least we look to flip at the 2021 deadline. Any buzz about some potential free agent additions?
Jason Mackey
12:39
Sorry to disappoint, Danny. Not a big thing with the Pirates. They'll add some. But most likely after the smoke clears.
The Eman
12:39
With MLB finally accepting statistics from the old Negro Leagues, I wonder how their teams would have fared against Major League teams at that time. Important to keep in mind that at that point MLB had only white players - no Latinos, Asians, etc. I think the Negro League teams would have been very competitive. Grateful that 2020 is coming to an end - what a long, strange trip it’s been!
Jason Mackey
12:40
Obviously I was not alive back then. Ha. Guessing neither were you. But to read about Hall of Famers and some of the most respected voices in baseball talk about the Negro Leagues, I have a tough time believing the Grays, Crawfords and others wouldn't be hugely competitive -- if not downright dominant -- against major league teams in that era. My goodness. The Crawfords had five Hall of Famers on one team!
Percy
12:40
Is Alford expected to be ready for spring training? And is he the front runner to win that position?
Jason Mackey
12:41
Yes and yes. Miguel Del Persak did something on him back in November. Would recommend checking it out: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2020/11/23/pirates-anthony...
Jack
12:41
Jason, it’s no secret the Rays are the templet for small market teams. I mean, they made it to the World Series last year and still have the number 1 farm system and top overall prospect in Wander Franco. Their model may seem hard for fans to understand but I see where the success is. It appears they are more than willing, maybe even encouraging to trade away guys while they are at the top of their game and with years of control left and getting hauls back. What team trades away the ace of an AL Pennet winning team? The Rays. Their model has become incredibly successful. You may not wanna buy a jersey of a player from there, but boy does their model seem to be successful. I’d say the comparison for the pirates would be trading a guy like Ke’Bryan Hayes in 2-3 years if he is consistently good, young and cheap and ensuring you get A HAUL back. This model shows great promise and one I think the pirates should commit to fully. Thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:44
Interesting idea, Jack. I would preface it by saying that I don't think Pirates fans would have any appetite whatsoever for a similar move until this regime shows it can backfill spots the way the Rays do. Now, if Cherington turns things around and they're able to win consistently, creating that cycle of losing guys but bringing in ones who are younger and cheaper and do the same stuff, yeah, I think people could get down with that. And to your point, I certainly think it's possible. I think that's why they hired Cherington, because they believe he can do that. But I don't think I'd start the process with Ke'Bryan Hayes.
Ken
Jason Mackey
12:46
Yes, this includes estimates factored in after arbitration. What I cited did not. This is a solid look at what they're facing, though, if anyone wants to give it a read.
Percy
12:46
With not much expected of the pirates this year, think they’ll finally give Cole Tucker an extended look at short this year?
Jason Mackey
12:47
I think it depends on what happens with him, Erik Gonzalez and Kevin Newman and who wins that competition for the starting job. If Tucker does, yeah, absolutely. I also think they need to give Tucker an extended look to see what they have him in him, but he also has to earn it. He has had trouble consistently hitting major league pitching. Do that, he has enough skill in other areas to get an extended look.
Run Game 0
12:47
How many SB’s did the Pirates have last year?  Cincinnati had an exciting CF base stealer a few years ago. If the team can’t hit HRs then why can’t this be an emphasis a bit more, granted baserunners are rare for them
Jason Mackey
12:50
I think you're thinking of Billy Hamilton. Couple things. It's hard to steal bases when you're consistently trailing. It's not smart to give away outs. Second, aside from Jarrod Dyson -- who hit just .157 when he was here -- they didn't have many stolen-base threats. Shoot, only three guys stole more than one: Dyson, Polanco and Gonzalez. I think Alford could help here. Newman should be able to run more, although he needs to work on his jumps and the mental part of stealing bases. Reynolds should be able to run more than he does, though he, too, was never on base. Guess it was just a bad combination of not the right talent, trailing too much and nobody being on base in the first place. They finished 28th in MLB with 16, by the way.
Paul from Pitt
12:50
Think we see O’Neil Cruz in Pittsburgh this year? If so, where does he get majority of reps? Bell trade open up 1B to him in future? (Trade Moran if he puts together good first half?)
Jason Mackey
12:51
I think you've strung together a few hypotheticals there, Paul. I would be surprised if we see Cruz in Pittsburgh for any length of time. We've seen -- and his work in winter league backs up -- him need a lot more work to produce at this level.
Bruce
12:51
With all the arms the pirates  have accumulated  does it make any sense for the parts to consider treating their number one pick down for some catching or outfield help
Jason Mackey
12:51
You can't trade draft picks in MLB the way you can in other sports.
12:52
Should they draft the player, then try to trade him? I don't think that's a way you're going to earn trust with your fan base. The best thing they can do is draft Rocker/Leiter/best player available, then sign that guy and commit to winning with him.
Tony
12:52
Hi Jason,  it’s been reported that the Pirates approached Josh Bell in Spring Training about a contract extension.  Do you have any idea if those ‘negotiations’ ever advanced to a point where they actually exchanged numbers: dollars & years?  And if Cherington could have reached a deal with Bell - do you think he would have preferred resigning Bell rather than trade him for prospects and restock the minors?   Happy New Year!
Jason Mackey
12:55
Hi Tony, have not seen this "report." I do know this: They had cursory conversations with a lot of guys. This is normal. You can Musgrove, Newman, Reynolds and Hayes to the list, I do believe. It gets into a lot of semantics what to make of them. Here's something I did during the shutdown after talking to Scott Boras (Bell's agent) about Josh's future in Pittsburgh: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2020/04/29/josh-bell-contr...
12:57
At the time, Boras said nothing serious had occurred and probably wouldn't until later, if then. So, to answer your question: It's my understanding that, if they happened, they were extremely preliminary and never advanced much beyond that. Lastly, I honestly think the way Cherington did this is what he would prefer: building from the ground up, making tough decisions now and developing prospects over the next couple of seasons.
Ken
12:57
How long until the next Pirates trade?
Jason Mackey
12:57
I don't think very long. I think it will be Musgrove, and I don't think we'll have to wait much longer. I think Darvish/Clevinger probably helped some teams solidify plans.
Run Game 0
12:58
Are you ready for some Alan Parsons Project now?
Jason Mackey
12:58
I'm sure I've listened to it, but I honestly can't think of a single song right now.
Maz
12:58
Thanks for the response on polanco.  Anxious to hear, because if it was similar to how he hurt his shoulder....I’ll leave it there.
Jason Mackey
12:58
I understand the concern, believe me. The injury list with him is not short.
Wayward Eer
12:58
We are not hearing much, if anything, about Stallings as a trade candidate.  I cant imagine his value is going to get higher and there seems to be a market for mid-tier catching.  Do you think it is an option and what could a general return look like?
Jason Mackey
12:59
I don't think there's any chance they will trade Stallings. I guess if Ben is blown away, sure. But he doesn't make anything, he makes pitchers better, and everyone loves the guy. Also don't see him as the type that would pull in a premium haul.
Ken
12:59
Hearing anything about the remaining arbitration cases? How likely is it that any go to trial?
Jason Mackey
1:00
Not hearing anything, but it was also Christmas/Josh Bell trade for the past week. Normally wouldn't hear much this time of year. Given their situation and who we're talking about, plus trades, I really, really doubt they'll wind up with any hearings.
Bruce
1:00
With all the arms that the Pirates have accumulated does it make any sense for the Pirates to trade their number one pick down for catching and or outfield help
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