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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 02.23.24
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Jason Mackey
11:53
Hey everyone. Welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. Thanks for stopping by. We'll get started in a few.
Cullen
11:54
I'll try not to ask too many questions so you don't get accused of giving undue airtime to this Cullen character...Im sure you don't want to comment on others reporting but how accurate, in your view, is The Athletic's "Comfortable being mediocre" Pirates piece?
Jason Mackey
11:57
You're all good, Cullen. I knew I was gonna get asked about the Athletic piece. You're right. Not my place to comment on the reporting of other outlets. To answer your question, I did not find anything in the article to be inaccurate.
Cullen
11:57
Are the Pirates still in talks with the Marlins for an Edward Cabrera deal or are they hoping on improvements from internal candidates to match Cabreras potential production?
Jason Mackey
11:59
Cullen, you again?! Kidding. Probably wouldn't describe it as "in talks" at this point. Interested? Yes. But what's interest? I don't think the discussions were as active as they were. What changed? Not sure. But my understanding, again, is that the Marlins' ask has been very high, and they haven't been able to find a deal that works for both sides. Still could happen, but on Feb. 23, schedule is working against the Pirates.
Michael
11:59
The long term contracts for Hayes, Reynolds and Keller are good signs, but did you read this piece in The Athletic https://theathletic.com/5286289/2024/02/21/pirates-losing-mlb-owner/
Jason Mackey
12:00
I read it. I respect Ken and Stephen, the latter a former co-worker and current friend. I have some opinions going both directions on the piece, but I don't think it's my place to share them publicly. I'm sorry.

I do feel strongly that the Pirates should not stop with those three. They need to extend David Bednar as well.
Will
12:01
Pirate beat is fortunate to gain Noah Hiles (a grinder like Jason). Will Noah still cover Pitt athletics?  He's really elevated coverage of Pitt sports the past few years.
Jason Mackey
12:02
Completely agree here. I'm a big fan of Noah, as I am Andrew "Rowdy" Destin as well. They're great writers and better people. Yinz are in great hands. ... No, Noah will be done with Pitt after the conclusion of the men's basketball schedule ... or darn close.
Wayward
12:02
Jason, with the Marlins signing of Anderson and the slight injury to Braxton do you get the feelings that any deal for pitching with the Marlins is off the table?  Also, do you think the Bucs are going to move forward with what they have?
Jason Mackey
12:04
I wouldn't say off the table, but probably unlikely at this point due to the circumstances you outlined. ... I know the hope is that they do something and obtain some type of help. But, man. At this point, if you're not going Snell or Montgomery and they're not willing to consider Bauer, options are limited.
Shoe dog
12:04
Jason, you are the best beat writer since Charley Feeney! Truly enjoy your body of work! With T. Johnson a year or two away. Time for Ben to trade Nick G or Bae or both for a starting pitcher! Admit Nick G was a first round utility player at best.
Jason Mackey
12:07
No, I most certainly am not. Not even the best on this beat. We're lucky in this city to have so many great writers and people. ... I understand your line of thinking here. Nick Gonzales has not looked great in spring training. Not ready to call him a bust, but it doesn't look good. Bae ... has actually looked solid. Depends on the rest of the offer. Wouldn't be against trading either of them if it netted a SP.
Paul
12:07
Favorite fish fry in Pittsburgh?
Jason Mackey
12:08
Thank you for asking this. Ha. Love me a good fish sandwich. I'm going with the Muse Italian Club. Ab and I lived in Canonsburg for a bit, and that was close. Incredible stuff.
Nate
12:08
The division is rather down, am I crazy thinking this is the season we win it?
Jason Mackey
12:08
I'm thinking it must be 5 o'clock somewhere.
Harold K.
12:08
I'm sure you'll get this a lot Jason, but what was the organization's reaction to the Athletic story? Could it lead to any changes in how they operate?
Jason Mackey
12:09
They weren't happy, obviously. Kinda stating the obvious there. But, no. I don't think they're going to do things differently. Any more than they already have, as outlined in the article.
Will
12:09
Any thoughts on Athletic hit piece on Pirates this week?  My eyes glaze over at the 'Nutting is Cheap' / 'Sale the team' crap, but some of the piece focusing on Cherrington and current baseball ops raised minor alarms. The Athletic ditched Pirate beat coverage and only mentions Pirates as punching bag to angry up readers and grab eyeballs, but Stephen Nesbitt is former PG Pirate beat writer.
Jason Mackey
12:09
Have gotten this before, Will. Not trying to run from anything, but it's not my place to give my thoughts on another outlet's work.
Jeff M
12:10
It was good to meet you and talk Bucs for a bit at Pirate City Monday. I am wondering if you can provide some clarity on the new rules designed to encourage teams to promote prospects sooner? I believe there is potential draft picks awarded to teams and service time benefits to players based on ROY voting.
Jason Mackey
12:14
Hey Jeff. Likewise. Honestly, rather than spend the time re-typing this, they're explained neatly here:

How do clubs earn PPI picks?
In short, an MLB club can earn a Draft pick after the first round if a PPI-eligible player accrues one year of service as a rookie and then factors into a major award. That means he either has to win his league’s Rookie of the Year award or place in the top three in MVP or Cy Young voting prior to qualifying for arbitration.
But there are a few ways that can happen. One year of service requires 172 days on an active roster, which means … (cont'd)
  1. Players with little or no MLB service time need to break camp with the team or be called up within two weeks of Opening Day. Then they must spend all or most of the year in the big leagues. Then they must either win their league’s Rookie of the Year award, or place in the top three for MVP or Cy Young.
  2. Players who made an Opening Day roster and accrued the service time but didn’t factor in any awards that year retain PPI eligibility. They need to place in the top three for MVP or Cy Young before hitting arbitration. That typically allows for a three-year window.
J$Money
12:15
In your opinion, is the Marlins trade for a starting pitcher dead in the water? And if so, why do you think it didn’t get done? Thank you!
Jason Mackey
12:16
I hesitate to say dead in the water, but it doesn't look likely, that's for sure. ... Couple things. I think the price went up or came back higher than the Pirates thought/anticipated. They felt really good about the possibility of it getting done. Marlins also had a starter go down with injury, so it's entirely possible that changed their thinking.
Retire21
12:16
What’s all the fuss about  the new uniforms in a nutshell?
Jason Mackey
12:17
The pants are see through or partially so. They don't fit great. And the names and numbers are comically small. Other than that, they're great!
Munkeefist
12:17
Should we thank the Athletic for getting Keller's extension delivered this early in camp and is there any chance if they run another article on the penny pinching ownership that we will add to the rotation the following day? For the record, I called the extension Wednesday night.
Jason Mackey
12:18
One had nothing to do with the other, as I understood it. They were pretty far down the road this past season, as I've hinted. Talked to Mitch last week, and he said how much he wanted to be here and wanted to get this done. I wrote that. Cherington also said they planned to revisit extension talks down here. You saw the team-friendly terms. I think when Mitch sat down with Ben or whomever else, it was basically, "Hey, do we get this done?"
Benjy
12:18
Just for fun, what would a Pirates World Series look like at PNC Park/Pittsburgh? Crowd, activities, events, atmosphere, etc.
Jason Mackey
12:19
This is such a wonderful and passionate baseball city ... man, I couldn't even imagine. Would be incredible.
Maz01
12:19
Hi Jason, With Braxton Garrett having a sore shoulder and Perez with a finger cut, and the Marlins acquiring Tim Anderson does that put a hold on any deal for Cabrera and are the Pirates resigned to have to go with Roansy, Chase Anderson, Ortiz & Priester for the final two rotation spots?
Jason Mackey
12:20
It doesn't look great re: the trade. And, yeah, could be some combination thereof. I know that's not what people want to hear. They could also add someone. But if there's any silver lining, the guys you mentioned -- other than Anderson -- have been noticeably better.
YinzerTom
12:20
Jason, love the chat. Thanks for doing these. If Henry Davis is the C2 on the depth chart? Will he move to RF? I do not see how it makes sense to have him on the bench or in AAA?
Jason Mackey
12:21
No, I don't think that will happen. They want Henry to catch. I think it depends on how ready Davis is. If it's not, I don't think they will be afraid to put him in the minors to get reps. But if he can catch regularly -- which I think will be the case -- then I think you can work it out with maybe catching and the odd time DH'ing.
PrinceBob
12:21
I missed last week's chat so I couldn't congratulate you on the big promotion, so belatedly, well done. I'll go out on a limb here and expect you saw The Athletic article about why the Pirates are mired in mediocrity or worse and just wonder what your reaction to it is? If you haven't seen ignore everything here but the congratulations.
Jason Mackey
12:22
Thank you very much. I appreciate that. I can't wait to get started. ... And, yes, saw the article. Have addressed it on here.
Stash
12:22
Jason, I enjoyed your article about the next Pirate to get a big deal.  But while DB may not be "looking to get rich", I feel the need to point out that he is very likely not struggling to pay the cable bill at his current rate of compensation. And he likely will not have to look that hard to get much richer. Not jealous (OK, maybe a little), just a little yinzer perspective on this non-winter day. Thanks for listening.
Jason Mackey
12:22
I hear ya. You can't please everyone. My only point was that Bednar wouldn't be holding out for like Josh Hader money. He wants to stay.
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