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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 02.17.21
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Jason Mackey
11:58
Hello, everyone, and welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. Will be back after my noon radio hit with Cook & Joe. Feel free to ask whatever now, and I'll be back as soon as possible to answer it.
12:18
OK, kiddos. We're back. And let's do this.
Guest
12:18
Looking forward to seeing the young kids develop? My question - what and where will Cole Tucker be starting? Does he have a chance if the bat improves in 2021?
Jason Mackey
12:19
I am. It's what we have right now, so why not enjoy it? Provided they trade Adam Frazier, I'm looking for Cole Tucker to start at shortstop. In that scenario, Kevin Newman would flip over to second base. But to stick, Tucker needs to keep the strikeouts down and hit for more power than he has thus far.
Stlrsafc
12:19
Do you think Nick Gonzales could progress enough this year to maybe see him in September?
Jason Mackey
12:20
I think there's a chance, yeah. You don't want to rush him, obviously. And they won't. I have confidence Ben Cherington knows the right way to develop players. Gonzales is very mature. Talented as hell, too. Would not be shocked if he pushes for time.
greg
12:20
Jason, do you think we will make any more trades or have any more free agent signings? When you are in Florida for spring training Does the paper pay for your lodging and meals? Thanks keep up the good work.
Jason Mackey
12:21
I could see Adam Frazier traded, Greg. Don't think so on free agent signings, although I can't say I know that for sure. Often depends on the market. But they've done what GMBC said they would do. And yes, the paper takes care of that and transportation when I travel. Post-Gazette is excellent with that stuff, and I try to reciprocate by being responsible with the company's money.
Doug Froebel
12:21
Will Grant Jackson forever hold the title of the last Pirate pitcher to win a World Series game?
Jason Mackey
12:22
I'd like to think not. I know I'm going to have a tough time convincing people here otherwise, though.
Jeff
12:22
I’m assuming no fans allowed at Pirate City this spring training. Have you heard any different?
Jason Mackey
12:22
No fans. And I don't expect that to change. Will be around 25% allowed at LECOM.
Ben
12:22
Hey Jason, MLB prospects looks to be grading Oneil Cruz and Travis Swaggerty as MLB ready this year. You think we'll see them at PNC in 2021? Also do you foresee any other top prospects being called up in 2021?
Jason Mackey
12:24
I could see that, sure. But I wouldn't assume it. Much will be incumbent on those guys developing. Cruz needs to do a couple things -- perhaps get comfortable in right field and definitely stop chasing pitches. If he sticks at short, he needs to be more consistent with his fielding. Swaggerty has been working on his approach -- actually getting on top of the ball. I think they'd like to see a little more power. Again, can see it happening for both, sure, but it shouldn't be handed to them.
Mike
12:24
Jason, great work on the Pirates, looking forward to your columns weekly.  Today being the first day pitchers and catchers, anything to look for today, plus any position players in camp yet? I see a few changes in the wings, I believe Tucker starts at SS, Alford wins the CF and Gonzalez will start at 2B. What say you?
Jason Mackey
12:25
Weekly? Mike, we're writing way more than that. Ha. I don't see Gonzales starting at 2B. Not with the big club anyway. I like Tucker at short. I think that makes the most sense for them, provided he hits. I like Goodwin in center field. He has a much better track record than Alford. I'd love to be proven wrong on that and see Alford earning a job, but Goodwin has produced more offensively, and their defense is probably a wash.
Wayward Eer
12:25
Any other additions before spring training or is this the group they are going to start with?  If they are going to add where do you see it being?
Jason Mackey
12:26
I don't see them adding anything else.
alan
12:26
Where does the international money to sign players come from. Does MLB give the money to the clubs?
Jason Mackey
12:27
I've actually wondered this myself, have asked and never really got a straight answer. Lemme follow up and get back to you on that.
Mike
12:27
Now with the signing of pitcher Tyler Anderson, is he going to get the chance at the starting rotation? if so, who does he bump, Kuhl, Brault or other
Jason Mackey
12:28
I think he's your fifth starter. Should be Keller, Brault, Kuhl, Brubaker and Anderson. Doesn't necessarily have to be that order, but those should be the five guys. Expect Crowe and Ponce to be the next two up from Class AAA.
alan
12:28
If Cole Tucker begins the year hitting say .215 wll that be acceptable to mgmt?
Jason Mackey
12:28
No, I don't. I think that would necessitate a change. Unless, like, all of those hits are homers, which they won't be.
Prince Bob
12:28
Hi Jason. You've now and again mentioned that despite how bad the Pirates have been there is actually a lot of interest in them. Do you think being as bad as they've been might actually draw more interest than if they'd been mediocre, say 79-84 wins and 2nd to 4th place finishes, for years and years? People are fascinated by wrecks, disasters, etc. and the Pirates have almost always been baseballs version of those things for ages now.
Jason Mackey
12:30
I don't know about that. I think people care about the Pirates because they grew up with baseball, this is a great sports town and there's a lineage here, even if it's in many cases, a tortured one. I think Pirates fans want them to be good. In the meantime, I think they're -- understandably -- pissed that they're not, and they don't think Bob Nutting cares as much as they do. (My interactions with him tell me he does, but I don't think they do a very good job of conveying that to their fans.) I think the interest is there, again, not to see carnage but because this is just how sports fans are raised in this area.
Prince Bob
12:31
Part 2, does Gregory Polanco's salary give him the right field job for the entire season even if he's as bad as he was last year or is there a time when they cut bait and look for the next guy?
Jason Mackey
12:31
I think there will likely be a bait-cutting period if he's as bad as he was last season. Maybe an "injury" or something. Or they just change the rotation. But I can't imagine them being OK with .153 and a 37.4% strikeout rate the entire year while he just sucks up reps.
guest
12:31
Do you think Mitch Keller makes 25 starts this season or will he be injured..again.
Jason Mackey
12:32
I think he'll make 25 (or more) starts.
Too Tall 21
12:32
Jason, thanks for the chats and for all the incredible stuff you put out for us to read every week. I particularly like your “Analysis” columns and the great individual background stories like what you shared this week about Wolters and Goodwin. The Tyler Anderson signing seems perfect for the current situation. Now, if Ben can just find Adam Frazier a new home I think we’re ready to start sorting things out. Poor Frazier and his family must be going crazy!
Jason Mackey
12:33
Thanks for the kind words, Too Tall. I've liked the Wolters and Goodwin-style things, too. Should be an easy entry point on things to know about guys. I'm fine with the Anderson signing. It's low-risk, moderate-upside. If he stinks, whatever, they need a high draft pick. If he's half-decent, trade him. Seems like a good dude, easy to like. I'm looking forward to watching him pitch. And yeah, I don't envy this for Frazier. I'd just want to know either way, a definitive answer.
guest
12:33
If the Pirates could set up a go fund me page for one position starter which position would that be.
Jason Mackey
12:34
Pitcher. Can never, ever have enough pitching.
Coco
12:34
Who bats cleanup?..Puig?
Jason Mackey
12:34
And leadoff.
Ricky
12:34
I think the pirates should sign Yasiel puig. He is the clear front runner for MVP as we speak. He would be a bargain as a deal. I think he hits 40 homers this year and steals at least 30 bases. Oh and he’s the best defender in the league. Sign puig
Jason Mackey
12:34
Sold me, Ricky. Wait until you see all of these projections change, too.
Coco
12:34
What is your take on tinkering with the baseball again.?
Jason Mackey
12:35
You mean doctoring it? Or MLB trying to reduce the number of homers?
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