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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 7.22.22
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Jason Mackey
11:38
Hello, everyone. Welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. We'll get started at noon, but feel free to fire away now. As always, thank you for joining.
12:10
And away we go ...
Ryan
12:10
Hey Jason, what are your Pirates trade deadline predictions? Also do you think David Bednar gets traded? Would love Bednar to stay here but we could get a huge haul.
Jason Mackey
12:12
Couple layers to think one. First, Bednar. No, I don't. I think there's going to be plenty of speculation, sadly. It makes sense. But you just can't if you're the Pirates. You're still an entertainment entity. You can't have everyone hate you. They also need players -- pitchers and position players -- who are good early in the careers. And they need to ride that out. Can't trade Bednar. Quintana and Gamel are my locks. They can help contending clubs. I wouldn't move Vogey. Too popular in the clubhouse. Newman ... they could maybe -- maybe -- get something for him if he hits the next two weeks. Obviously I would take whatever was offered.
Guest
12:12
Good Afternoon, Jason. What are your thoughts on the Pirates 2022 draft class? Termarr seems like he could be a superstar and considering how many middle infielders we have in the system, could he potentially see time in Center?
Jason Mackey
12:13
It's hard to say too much because I've never seen any of the guys, but ... how do you not love the Termarr pick? He was the best player available to them by pretty much every source that evaluates such things. Great makeup. They also addressed a weakness with all the pitching. Who knows if they pan out, but I like the intent there. What we know at this point, I'm encouraged. We'll see.
Ryan
12:13
Out of the Pirates top prospects in order, Who do you believe will be the most realistic to be a star? Davis, Cruz, Priester, Gonzales, Peguero.
Jason Mackey
12:14
Have been asked a version of this before and I've said Cruz. I'll stay with that. Sleeper pick might be Priester. The early season injury quieted talk around him, but he's got downright nasty stuff and a terrific head on his shoulders. Factor in health, and that combo will play.
Ryan
12:14
Good afternoon Jason what do you think so far about the play of chavis have to win tonight and the rest of the series
Jason Mackey
12:15
Chavis has been a pleasant surprise, especially at 1B and against LHP. He would be in the lineup for me most days. Seems his production tends to dip in concern with his playing time. But I like his power and ability to work around the bag at 1B.
Cullen
12:16
What realistic trade value could a Vanmeter, Newman, Meresnik, etc have?
Jason Mackey
12:16
VanMeter and Marisnick not much. Newman is a Gold Glove finalist with a terrific 2019 on his resume. It won't be much, but he's probably a Clint Barmes type. You could maybe get something for him.
Guest
12:16
If Vogelbach is traded who moves into the DH spot? Will it be just regular starters getting a break from playing in the field?
Jason Mackey
12:17
I don't think they will trade Vogelbach; however, Cal Mitchell intrigues me in that spot. I think Madris is a better defensive OF. Suwinski definitely is. Gives them some flexibility. Outside of that, may just see them rotate guys through. But again, I don't expect them to trade Vogey.
Cullen
12:17
Has there been any update on the timeline for Reynolds return?
Jason Mackey
12:18
No. With the All-Star break, the first time we'll have access to anyone is later this afternoon.
ev
12:18
Jason, my workmate, a Mets fan, was asking me about Vogelsbach and Reynolds.  Are both of these guys available?
Jason Mackey
12:18
Everyone is always available. It's the price tag. Reynolds would require multiple top 100 prospects and probably more -- ain't gonna happen. Vogey isn't that high, but I think they woulds have to be really blown away to do something there.
Nick Fondriest
12:19
Why all the Nick Gonzalez hate? Seems as though the pundits are extremely down on him. Have we blown another high pick? Can his swing and miss be fixed? I thought he had elite bat speed when I watched him in spring training.
Jason Mackey
12:21
Nick Gonzales is 23 and has a .742 OPS at Double-A. Is that what you want from a first-rounder? Obviously not. But anyone who thinks they can make a long-term assessment on somebody who has played 123 career minor league games, congrats. People with 30 years of experience in this game can't reach that conclusion. Like with most things, give it some time.
Mark
12:21
What are your thoughts on trading Crowe?
Jason Mackey
12:21
Like all of these things, depends on the return. I wouldn't do it just to do it. I think he certainly has value here. But if someone's gonna give me something intriguing, wouldn't be hard-and-fast against it.
tgmartin@logility.com
12:22
Hey Jason, Appreciate your efforts! Hoping 2nd half is more positives. Who do you see as 2nd baseman after  trade deadline? Beat'em Bucs
Jason Mackey
12:23
Probably the same as before, Terry. Probably Newman to start. See what happens with Cruz. If he sticks, Newman remains the main guy. If Cruz struggles and goes down, they probably bump Newman over, and it's more Castillo and Chavis. Also, if the pull the plug on Yoshi -- they should -- will probably be less Chavis at 2B and more at 1B.
B. Mustard
12:23
Hi Jason, how willing do you think the Pirates are going to be to commit to the youth movement after the deadline passes? Obviously, there already is one, but it seems to me that we should be seeing what we have with Bae, Swaggerty, Marcano, and perhaps others over whichever veterans are still kicking around (I'd exclude Vogey for the reasons you just mentioned).
Jason Mackey
12:24
I think there's going to be a return of Play the Kids after the deadline. I don't know who that will include. Thought Martin once upon a time, but he has struggled. Bae deserves it. Can see returns of Madris, Suwinski and others. But, yeah, things will change after the deadline passes.
Ryan
12:24
Do you believe Henry Davis could be a star?
Jason Mackey
12:24
Yes, I do. 100%. But I thought I was asked to choose the most likely to be a star, and I chose Cruz.
Justin
12:24
If proposals for Quintana trades are something below what they got in the Tyler Anderson deal, do you think it could be more more worth it to just keep him to absorb innings and take mileage off of younger guys?  Not to mention he provides some nice watchable baseball!
Jason Mackey
12:25
Yeah, there's an argument for that. They're not going to be, mind you, but I wouldn't be against that. I would also try to re-sign Quintana. But again, I think teams will want Quintana -- thus, desirable deals for the Pirates.
Cullen
12:25
What are the chances Cherrington trades from our depth of middle infield talent to acquire some young pitchers at the trade deadline?
Jason Mackey
12:25
They're trying to stockpile young talent. I don't see them trading away young talent at this point, especially not when the puzzle pieces are still somewhat of a mystery up the middle.
Guest
12:26
Morning Jason!  What are your thoughts on Henry Davis' development so far?  Any concerns? And if he & Endy Rodriguez both develop as hoped & both are destined for the pros, do we trade Endy? I say Endy due to Henry's pedigree as a #1 overall pick. Thanks!
Jason Mackey
12:27
Last part first: I think they move Endy. Henry is the better defensive catcher. I've seen Endy play 1B, 2B and the OF. He's not overmatched. He's young, but I think there's a path there. As for Henry, he needs to get the heck out of the way of the ball. When healthy, he's been great. He hasn't been healthy enough.
Bill
12:27
Do you think we see Bolton debut this year? I know he was on the Covid IL but would think he could help bullpen down the road.
Jason Mackey
12:27
Yeah, I think we do. He's one of the few pitching cards they have to play in the second half. I'm looking forward to watching him pitch, too.
Cullen
12:27
I love that theyre playing it safe with Roansy considering the amount of innings he pitched last year, when do you expect to see him back pitching for us after the most recent shutdown?
Jason Mackey
12:29
I don't love it. I'm not a fan of ultra-conservative handling of pitchers. I think there's something to be said for learning how to be a pro, stay in games, eat innings ... be a horse. He can be that. I don't think he would make this decision on his own volition, either. So it's not a criticism of him. But I don't agree with the baby-glove handling of pitchers. He'll be back in a couple weeks.
Justin
12:29
Think we see Burrows this year?  Or will he hit a workload limit before that's possible?
Jason Mackey
12:29
Nah, I think we'll see Burrows this year. But he has some stuff to figure out at Triple-A before that happens. He told me at the ASG that it's been good and challenging for him. But he'll debut, I'm pretty confident.
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