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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 01.15.26
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Jason Mackey
11:46
Hello, everyone. Thanks for joining my weekly Pirates chat. We'll get started here in about 15 minutes. Feel free to ask anything you want now.
12:05
And away we go ...
Benson DuBois
12:05
Is Nick Gonzales good enough  to play SS everyday?
Jason Mackey
12:06
Defensively, I think he would be fine. I worry about the bat. Not that SS is a premium offensive position, but I think it will be once Griffin arrives. Here's my thought on this and 3B: If you have Gonzales, Triolo or both as a placeholder until Griffin is ready -- if he legitimately needs more time, which is perfectly fine -- I can live with that, as long as you get a 3B. Even if it's Alec Bohm.
MjB
12:07
Like Tomlin news, I block the naysayers out and make my own decisions.  It seems to me that we are still a third basemen away from being "fully" competitive at each position.     While I know he is not a power guy, why can't Nick Gonzalez be the answer there?  Good glove, solid contact hitter.  If he is batting sixth, I think we are fine.
Jason Mackey
12:07
I admire the optimism. I like Nick a lot. But he's sub-.700 OPS for his career. I'd prefer more certainty.
MjB
12:07
Second question, which many not get answered.  I saw the article on Henry Davis and wondered if there was work done this winter to fix his swing.  I am pretty sure I could help him and cannot understand why a hitting coach does not explain to him that a baseball bat is not a caveman's club.  He's totally arm-locked.  Is the organization working on this?  He is a 1.1.
Jason Mackey
12:08
I answer everything, MjB. My personal philosophy with these things. As long as it's in good taste, I'll do my best. Sometimes I'm quicker when a question gets asked four times. I'm human, so there could be emotion or snark. But I'll never just delete or ignore. Anyway ...
12:10
Short answer: I don't know. I asked him in November, and he said he didn't wanna talk about it until there are more results. I think that's fair. No. 2, every fan everywhere thinks they can coach a player to success. If I had a nickel for every time I've heard something, well, I'd buy a candy bar or something. Major league hitting tends to be slightly more complicated than something someone watching at home can correct.
Shoe Dog
12:10
Jason, you are the best of the best! Start your own publication for the Pirates. We don’t want to lose you!
Jason Mackey
12:11
Ha. I hope to not go anywhere, Shoe Dog. That goes for the P-G as a whole, too. Keep doing good work, praying, trusting others see it ... you never know.
demosthenes98
12:13
Before I get to my usual incisive questions, I just want to say, after last Wednesday's news, how much I appreciate your writing. Whether you were covering the Penguins, writing columns about anything and everything, or speaking truth to the Nutting power, what you write has always been worth reading. I hope you land on your feet after May 3rd, although I'm confident you will.
Jason Mackey
12:14
Thank you for that. I try my best. I don't always get it right, but I'll never shortchange readers/viewers/fans on effort, I can promise you that.

Like I said before, I'm not giving up hope. I've hung around a decent while here by working hard and (most of the time) doing things the right way. Gonna trust in that process a little more.
demosthenes98
12:14
Now that it's official, what clause(s) in Ryan O'Hearn's contract will be the real reason he gets benched/DFA'd in late September? Just want to know what's coming.
Jason Mackey
12:15
What ... if he actually produces? What ... if they're actually good? Also, he's here again in 2027. You really think they would do that? I don't see Don Kelly acquiescing to any of that.
demosthenes98
12:15
What would improve Pirates attendance more--bobbleheads, fireworks, etc., or putting 100% of the money spent on all of that stuff toward good baseball players?
Jason Mackey
12:15
Winning. Pretty simple.
demosthenes98
12:15
I know you don't tell fans how to root and I appreciate that, but...can you really blame Pirates fans for being skeptical about this coming season? Yes, they've made more, and perhaps better, moves than usual, this winter, but we also have three-plus decades' worth of reasons to not believe.
Jason Mackey
12:16
Not whatsoever. They should earn your trust and dollars. If you don't believe 'em or have an issue, you have the power to not spend, not pay attention, not go, whatever. Shoot, I'm skeptical, too. How can you not be given the struggles they've had under this regime? But they are acting differently than they ever have with this group. That's also fair to acknowledge.
David
12:17
What’s the chance Mitch Keller still gets traded before the Pirates head to camp? It’s getting late.
Jason Mackey
12:17
I think he's a Pirate in 2026.
Shoe Dog
12:17
Out Of options Suwinski looks like an early lock to make the team as the fourth outfielder. I can’t take another .150 year and that is generous! Your thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:18
I don't agree with you. If they do that, do they really think Jack Suwinski is going to click in a part-time role? I have my doubts. If they get an offer for Jack, I think they take it. I do believe there could be a good player under there, but he needs a change of scenery.
Go Blue 72
12:18
Jason, the Bichette dance with the Phillies is fascinating, but clearly shows that’s not the sandbox the Pirates will play I .  That said , if Bohl is available , what do you think it would take to get him a trade?  Thanks as always for your great work and I sure hope it continues n some forum/capacity past May!
Jason Mackey
12:22
Me, too, Go Blue 72. And I think it will.

I don't know. I've seen Joey Bart for Bohm straight up posited. I have a tough time seeing that. I think they'll entertain a Bart trade, but not sure how Bart would fit onto the Phillies roster.

Let's spitball some, though. If Mike Burrows netted them Lowe, Montgomery and Mangum ... well, Mangum is basically the same situation as Lowe. $10-ish million, FA after the season.

Burrows has value because he's MLB-ready, controllable starting pitching. But we're also talking about one player who hasn't been nearly as successful as Bohm.

My opinion: two mid-level prospects, as long as one's a pitcher. Which the Pirates could do.
MK
12:22
Hey Jason, thanks again for all you do! Henry Davis came into the league with defensive concerns, and seemingly made those a focal point of his offseason training last year - turning a liability into a strength. Given his work ethic, is it reasonable to expect an upgrade in the offense department, assuming that has been the focal point of his offseason training? Do you have any insight into what, specifically, players are working on in the offseason?
Jason Mackey
12:24
This is interesting. Gotta be the fourth or fifth time -- not just today -- someone has been worried about what Henry Davis is working on. I get it. But I'm more concerned about how that translates into regular season games. Dude works really hard. Dude has tried things. Dude has had a great spring before. Need actual results.

To answer your Q, though, no. Honestly. I asked him about it. Said he didn't wanna talk about it. I get that. We'll reconvene in spring. Should know more then.
russellhalloffame34
12:24
Jason Being from the 60's and 70's thanks for writing articles on past players. Pirates might have improved a little, do you see a trade before spring training?
Jason Mackey
12:25
Of course. I love doing it. I know people care, and personally I really enjoy the changeup pitch/creative challenge that comes along with it.

Yes, I do. Maybe multiple. One for a third baseman, a FA pitcher signing and maybe one more move. Also have to figure out Cutch.
Dogboy
12:25
I think it would be a mistake to bring Cutch back, we need more power from the DH
Jason Mackey
12:26
Completely understand and respect that opinion.

I'd like to see them do a This Is It year with Cutch, like Waino, Pujols, Miggy, etc. Kershaw, too. He deserves the victory lap. Convince him he should do it and enjoy it. Easier to explain to everyone. Preserves his legacy here. Part-time DH role. They can accept that.
Jimbo
12:26
Jason, what do you think happens to Cutch? It’s getting late early. Also, how can Bart be a backup catcher if he can’t catch Skenes and Chandler?
Jason Mackey
12:27
Funny you ask, Jimbo. Filed a piece on this stuff yesterday for Sunday.

It's why I can see a Bart trade. Henry caught 80% of Paul, Mitch and Bubba last year. They split Ashcraft. Bart was bad defensively. He's a RHH without a defined position who hits lefties well.

Trade Bart. Get something back. Gives you a little more $$$. Could give Flores/Endy a shot. Frees up a role for Cutch. Everyone wins.
TJMC
12:27
Jason, thanks for your great work!  Hoping for some positive resolution for the Post.  We need you here.  Aside from a back-end starter, do you see another leverage arm for the pen?  If so, any guesses?
Jason Mackey
12:29
I could see them adding someone you've never heard of but they like his stuff and think he can project into a leverage arm. That's a tough to project names on, sorry. Thank you for the kind words! I'll be in spring training for the duration. I'll keep writing and doing these. Just gonna keep doing my job as well as I possibly can. (Which is easy because I genuinely love this stuff.)
fan of team
12:29
Jason, I'm sorry about the loss of Bob Weir. Any suggestions for studio cuts or live nuggs where Weir's guitar playing really shines? I'd like to put a little playlist together. Thanks. #RIP
Jason Mackey
12:30
Bobby! This is a fun listen. It's a backyard acoustic party from a number of years ago:
tim s
12:30
I see the Pirates have a Country Music Weekend planned for sometime in July. Do you know if there are concerts planned to be a part of that?
Jason Mackey
12:31
I do not, I'm sorry. Would be fun if they did, but I haven't heard who might be playing.
Pirates World Series
12:31
Does Pedro Alvarez ever come back for Pirates games? I was a big fan. I'd love to see him have a role with the team, like an ambassador or something.
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