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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 5.18.22
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Jason Mackey
11:31
Hello, everyone. Welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. Thanks for stopping by. We'll get started here shortly.
11:55
OK, let's get going ...
The Real TP Hunter
11:55
Hi Jason. Sorry you couldn't pull out a game 7 win for the Penguins while you were moonlighting. I don't want to put words in your mouth, but I believe in the past you suggested that Sidney Crosby might have been a very competent baseball player. Is there anyone on the Pirates of the present or recent past who you think might have been a good hockey player?
Jason Mackey
11:57
Ahhh ... a fun question to start. Yes. Thank you. ... Not a player, but I know Ben Cherington has played a decent amount of hockey. Player-wise, I could maybe see Suwinski -- a Chicago kid -- being good on skates. Maybe Ben Gamel, although he's from Florida and probably isn't much for ice. ... I also wonder how David Bednar would fare as a stay-at-home, thumping defenseman. Probably not terrible. And can you imagine how tall Oneil Cruz would be on skates? Love it.
The Real TP Hunter
11:58
Just one other hockey question if I may. Did you cover the last game that the Penguins Big Three will play together?
Jason Mackey
11:58
I hope not, but yeah, I think I probably did. I think Letang or Malkin could be back, in somewhat of a surprise, but I don't know how either returns. Doesn't make sense for either party.
The Real TP Hunter
11:58
As for baseball, what's with nobody hitting? I know the answer is there isn't much talent there, but is it time to start worrying about Hayes and Reynolds yet?
Jason Mackey
12:00
Hayes, no. He's been fine. Reynolds ... we're getting there. My general rule is June. If a guy is still awful in June, I think it's kind of hard to ignore. As for whether I'm actually worried about Reynolds, no, I'm not. Maybe I'm nuts, but I really do think he's gonna be fine.
The Real TP Hunter
12:00
The Steelers are expanding their museum at Heinz Field. Wouldn't it be appropriate for the Pirates to have a similar display at PNC? Old timers know the rich history of Pirates baseball, but maybe the newer fans would benefit from learning more of the team's heralded past. For a very long time, the Pirates and Pitt football were the big boys in town.
Jason Mackey
12:01
They are doing that. That's part of why Jim Trdinich -- their longtime/exemplary PR man -- is moving to a new role. I've talked to Jimmy about his plans for this and how cool he wants to make it. I think fans are gonna be thrilled when it starts to come together.
Sammy Khalifa
12:01
Do you think that there are any infielders besides Hayes currently on the 40 man roster better than me.
Jason Mackey
12:02
I know you're kind of being a wise guy, but that question got my creative juices flowing.
PrinceBob
12:02
How does money work in AAA? Is there a scale? Is a guy like Michael Perez who's had a fair amount of time in the majors but is on a minor league contract get paid differently than guys who have never or very rarely been in the majors?
Jason Mackey
12:05
I think it works the same as it does here. Pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, bills. I don't know about NFTs, sorry. ... No, seriously. Guys with MLB time can make more than your run-of-the-mill minor leaguer; that said, it's not much. Still ridiculously low. Not like Perez was making anywhere close to what he is now while he was in the minors.
PrinceBob
12:06
And if an MLB player who is out of options get a minor league contract have options again because he's on a minor league contract?
Jason Mackey
12:06
I'm not quite sure what you're asking here, but I think my answer is no. Not like you can just tear up a contract and sign a new one to get options back.
Ken
12:06
Will this Pirates team win more than 50 games this season?
Jason Mackey
12:07
Yes, I think it will. These past two games have been bad, obviously. But more than 50? Come on. I have them at 62-100. I've seen nothing to change my mind off of that.
Paul r
12:07
Why is there a need to rest a player for a game
Jason Mackey
12:08
They put a lot into this -- and I think it's overcooked, if we're being honest. But they monitor rest, recovery, etc. Do they overreact because these players are viewed as investments? Absolutely. And I hate it. But I would caution that professional baseball isn't easy; that seems to be a misconception by fans, that these guys are just hanging out, having a good time. Days start at like 1 or 2 and end at, what, 10 or 11? There's usually an off-field workout, BP, fielding and other work pregame, the game, etc. It's not nothing.
Chris
12:08
Tyler Beede starting as an opener tonight?
Jason Mackey
12:08
It wouldn't shock me. Him or Peters.
Jim H
12:09
Hi Jason, how does MLB report attendance these days?    On the daily box score, attendance and Time Of Game have been omitted.    Let me know?    Thanks!
Jason Mackey
12:10
I don't know what you're talking about Jim. I'm looking at our e-edition right now, and it has attendance and time of game listed in every box score. They report attendance as tickets sold and not bodies in ballpark, which to me is ridiculous.
Matt
12:10
Is Roansy getting the call to start tonight?
Jason Mackey
12:10
No, he's scheduled to start for Class AAA Indianapolis tonight as far as I know.
Pirate Parrot
12:11
Will the Pirates win anything in my lifetime?
Jason Mackey
12:12
Ha. Good one. One would think. Although I don't know how long parrots are supposed to live. Hopefully a while.
PrinceBob
12:12
Who do you think the Pirate All Star will be? Can it possibly be anyone but Bednar?
Jason Mackey
12:12
Has to be Bednar. Quintana, Gamel and Vogelbach have been very good, but I'm not sure I'd put any of them above Bednar in terms of chances or league-wide, if that makes sense. Lot of competition for those spots.
ev
12:13
Hi Jason, Zach Thompson, Conner Scott, and Kyle Nicholas were acquired from the Marlins for Jacob Stallings. Stallings' replacement, Perez, is out (not sure how long,,..).  Thompson is 2-3 with a 5.47era and I believe the other two players are deep in the minors.  Has this trade helped the Pirates or the Marlins? Stallings is still active/playing and we have Van Meter playing catcher until we were able to find a free agent signee.
Jason Mackey
12:14
Thompson has thrown 11 scoreless. If he's that version, it's different than the one you cited. That said, I think the Pirates are better off long-term. I didn't mind the trade at all when Perez was healthy. Scott and Nicolas are solid prospects. The issue here is them -- for whatever reason -- refusing to acquire legitimate catching help. Them not doing that doesn't mean the trade sucked, pardon the double negative.
Justin R.
12:14
A number of top position prospects have gotten off to very slow starts (Cruz, Gonzales, Fraizer, Swaggerty). Is there a developmental approach explanation for this or is it just coincidence?
Jason Mackey
12:16
I think it's just a coincidence, honestly. Gonzales has been better over his last 5, hitting .474 and looking much better. Cruz has been all over the place. Has obliterated some balls and has also looked bad. I don't think they helped things by how they handled his situation. Swaggerty was making some swing adjustments and has again been hurt. Not totally sure what's up with Fraizer. But they've also had guys who've been outstanding early -- Davis, Scott, Martin, Mitchell, etc.
Guest
12:16
excited for Roansy Contreras getting the nod today. What’s your prediction of his line today?
Jason Mackey
12:18
In Indy? He's not coming up to the big leagues. Probably goes 4-5, allows one run or none, walks one or two, and strikes out 6 or more.
MjB
12:18
OMG...stop the madness.  The national embarrassment starts and ends with these ridiculous lineups.  Put the same lineup in every day for a week, and play everyone at their natural positions.  Using starters is a gimmick that does not work.  Honestly, I can handle growing pains when you can see the future unfolding.  What is the plan?
Jason Mackey
12:19
Using starters is a gimmick? Do you mean openers? Also, who's not playing at their natural position? I agree VanMeter doesn't need to play as much as he has. Guys get too many days off. But it's also true that some of the Pirates' best hitters have been in prolonged slumps, and Shelton doesn't have enough talent to work with in the first place.
Matt
12:20
Hi Jason, any word on Roansy starting tonight in Chicago? Slated to start for Indy today at 1:35pm and the Indy website currently has no listed pitcher for todays game. Says "TBD"
Jason Mackey
12:21
No word. I've checked on it with a few people. Nothing yet. Will let you guys know if I do, but as of now, I have nothing to indicate he's coming up.
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