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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 08.19.22
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Jason Mackey
11:48
Hello, everyone. Welcome to my weekly Pirates ... wait, no, ALL-EVERYTHING chat. New role, new concept. Fire away on whatever, as I jam out to some Phish. Thanks, as always, for stopping by. You know the drill. We'll get started at noon.
12:02
And away we go ...
Retire 21
12:02
Maybe the KC comparison is not valid to the Pirates?  But the Royals did ramp up and win a WS before having to dump everyone and start over. Pirates never got to second base?
Jason Mackey
12:03
I don't think Eckersley was going for a full organizational comparison. I think he was merely talking about prospects and quality prospects being in the major leagues. Like much of what he said, he's not wrong. The Pirates aren't showcasing enough of their prospects, in my opinion. They have a decently strong farm system, but that wasn't on display the other night.
Retire 21
12:03
Jung Ho Kang was on fire when he got wiped out on that cheap Cubs slide and that started his career in a downward spiral. Could have sparked them the rest of the way. Overstated?
Jason Mackey
12:04
I don't buy into that, no. Given the stuff Kang had happening in his personal life, I don't see how we can say a slide triggered his downfall. I just think that was something that was more obvious than what he had going on behind-the-scenes.
Retire 21
12:04
Do you like the new MLB format where every team plays every other team? With the DH universal and the new format, are we moving to like the other sports a one league system?
Jason Mackey
12:05
Oddly, yes. With interleague play very much a thing, I've never understood why MLB just didn't go in headfirst on this. I don't need to see 472 games each season against the Reds. I suppose it hurts teams like the Yankees or Dodgers, who don't stand to benefit from having Kevin Padlo on the visiting side, but it sure helps fans in, say, Pittsburgh, by affording them the opportunity to see more quality players.
Stuck-in-Philly
12:06
Good afternoon, Jason.   I really enjoyed the article about for GM JR.  My question:  If you ever have the opportunity to have Chinese food with him again, will you let me join if I pick-up the check?
Jason Mackey
12:07
Haha. Fans would love that, I'm sure. I know I did. We talked about so much in those chats. I really valued -- and still do -- Jim's willingness to have a relationship with reporters. That is rare, as you know.
dbirwin738
12:09
Jason - have you been following Suwinski's progress at Indy?  I have not followed it day by day, but when I checked out his stats he hasn't exactly been tearing it up.  His strike out rate has been over 40%.  This can't be a good sign that he didn't go down there and turn things around.
Jason Mackey
12:10
Been following some, and you're right. He's hitting .213 (.692 OPS) with 43 strikeouts in 104 plate appearances (41.3%) ... so, yeah, the strikeout rate is high, and there's work to do. That said, he's a better option at the MLB level than what they're running out there. Why not give him a chance? And he's done some things as well, as evidence by his .404 slug. Here's hoping they let him continue to develop up here.
Cullen
12:10
Will the Pirates send Priester to the Arizona Fall League to make up for lost innings due to his injury?
Jason Mackey
12:10
I can't say for sure, but he certainly fits that profile. Would not shock me in the least if they did that with him.
Barry Bonds
12:10
A lot keeps being made of a lack of Major League talent on the Pirates... what is your assessment of the minor league system currently?
Jason Mackey
12:12
It's above-average but has slipped some from last year. Too many guys who were highly regarded at one point who aren't at this point delivering on those expectations (Head, Yean spring to mind), plus others who have taken a step backwards this season (Fraizer, Escotto and Thomas). Again, it's still good. I think it's what they're banking on for the future. But it could be better, obviously.
Cullen
12:12
I heard a rumor yesterday that there is momentum growing for a Reynolds extension, do you have any insight on if this is true?
Jason Mackey
12:13
I have heard nothing that would indicate "momentum." I've heard a little more optimism than in the past, but that's not momentum, in my mind. Can you link the report you're referencing, please?
Matt
12:13
What should we think about this news article about Bob Nutting in The Atlantic?
Jason Mackey
12:14
I haven't had a chance to read it -- but obviously plan to. Gonna refrain from forming judgement until I do that.
Tyler
12:14
Best guesses on yardage totals for Pitt's RBs this season?
Jason Mackey
12:16
Oooh ... non-Pirates. Thank you, Tyler. ... I don't see them going away from the committee, because the committee is pretty damn solid. ... I like Rodney Hammond Jr. a lot and think he could have a breakout year. Can also see Izzy around 700-800, with others in the 400-500 range. I think Pitt is going to run the ball extremely effectively this season.
Ben Cherington
12:16
When will people realize how bad I am at my job?
Jason Mackey
12:17
It's funny: Before this season, there was trust in Cherington. There was also an acknowledgment that this season would be bad. ... Then when it happens, Ben has become stupid? Don't get it. Their major league roster isn't good enough. Spend all night criticizing their lack of pitching. Totally fair. But what has happened this year doesn't suddenly make Ben stupid.
John
12:17
Hi Jason. I’m not sure Eckersly wasn’t on to something. For example, why is Cruz on the ML roster? Because of his “potential”? Yes he has some great physical attributes, but should be honing those in Indy, not Pgh. Batting avg below .200, SO rate approaching 40%, OK at SS but not an elite fielder.
Personally, I’m tired of hearing about our prospects. I’ve been a Pirate fan since I was a kid. I remember listening to Haddix perfect game on the radio, listening to Mazeroski HR in the ‘60 WS. At this stage of my life, all I can say is enough is enough. (Hope Nutting is reading this.)
Jason Mackey
12:19
I get what you're saying John, but right now, Oneil Cruz is the closest thing they have to an exciting future/eventual star at the position. Why not let him learn now while he's young so this is hopefully building toward something? I have no issue with Cruz or other young guys playing and the Pirates taking their lumps. My issue is with that not happening enough and how quickly the pitching depth thins out.
Jacob
12:19
Out of, Peggy, Nick G, Davis, Johnson, Endy, who is most likely to bust in your opinion
Jason Mackey
12:21
I might go with Peguero just because the threshold for success that position is so darn high. We've also seen some defensive deficiencies -- which is fine -- mixed with an offensive downturn until recently. I don't feel super strongly that he's gonna bust. I'm just trying to answer the question.
Ryan
12:21
jaso what do you think about the play of Reynolds these past two games and how is the new role going
Jason Mackey
12:22
I mean, he's been his All-Star/MVP-caliber self. An elite player they should extend. Not sure if there's anything more I can add. ... New role is awesome. Seriously. I love the variation, the creative freedom, getting away from people taking out their Pirates angst on me, all of it. It's only growing, too, which is even more fun. Pumped for NFL and CFB to really kick up.
Jacob
12:22
Best Musical Artist of all time?
Jason Mackey
12:22
Do I really need to answer this? Come on, Jacob.
Bob
12:22
What are your thoughts about the Bob Nutting article in The Atlantic?
Jason Mackey
12:23
Have not yet read it. Looks pretty unsavory, though.
Paul
12:23
Until the league puts a salary cap in place the pirates will never be competitive
Jason Mackey
12:23
What about 2013-15, Paul? They won 98 games in a largely similar structure. There's nothing that says they can't win like this. Are the chances less? Of course. But definitive statements like this are a waste of time and inaccurate.
Stash
12:23
Jason, should Nutting spends some of his dinero to retain Kirk Gibson with a generous per diem, and with the sole job of spewing forth about his epic homer? 24 hours per day. May be money well spent. But alas, ole Eck was not spewing BS. Gracias.
Jason Mackey
12:24
Nothing Eckersley said was wrong. I also get Wil Crowe wanting to defend his guys. I think the whole story line needs to die, though.
Martin
12:24
Roansy Contreras development in AAA? Please. Who actually calls the shots with service time manipulation? Because sure enough, if the Pirates win soon, Cherington is out of here, and he won't care about the Pirates service time.
Jason Mackey
12:25
Yeah, I found that to be a farce, too. If there's development that is that important, talk about it. If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck ... it might just be a duck. ... It's not one person. It's baseball operations, with Ben at the top.
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