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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 03.05.21
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Jason Mackey
11:02
Hello, everyone. And welcome to Clearwater. Or sort of. Let's get going ...
Dirk
11:04
With the lack of major league talent on the Pirates roster this year, what do you think about the team trying to lure Lonnie Chisenhall back into the fold?
Jason Mackey
11:04
Is Lonnie Chisenhall no longer with the Pirates? What a way to start this thing ...
Dennis
11:04
Nice article on Oneil Cruz today.  If he fills out and develops the kind of power he may have, and the Bucs want to move him from short, would you rather see him get more work at first or in the OF?
Jason Mackey
11:05
Hey Dennis. Mike Persak did that one, actually. I've been really impressed with Mike's growth on the beat. He still has some weird takes on things, but he's starting to spread his wings. Been nice. ... I would rather see Cruz in the outfield, all day, every day. They have other guys who can play middle infield. They don't have enough guys in the outfield. Very much in the camp of moving him.
Retire21
11:05
This being the 50th Anniversary of my hero's WS MVP season and the same year as his number, will the Pirates celebrate?
Jason Mackey
11:06
I would have to imagine. I did an article for this morning about the Pirates wanting to wear No. 21 again. Have to think they would do something for the World Series MVP, but no such plans on any of that sort of stuff have been communicated at this time.
Retire21
11:07
People, including myself, seemed largely supportive of the Archer trade at the time, thinking it would put the Pirates over the top. If he'd have been the ace they thought he'd be, it could be a whole different Pirates world?
Jason Mackey
11:08
Potentially. If they would have won. But my bigger issue with the trade -- and what I think ultimately sunk the former regime -- was Glasnow, Meadows and Baz. They should have never even have been trade candidates. Develop them right, and they should be franchise pillars. They screwed up that part, then they didn't get nearly enough back when they did trade them. The awfulness of that trade has something to do with how poorly Archer pitched here, but it's not everything.
Retire21
11:08
Where is Jung Ho these days?
Jason Mackey
11:09
I think he's back home, retired. Was suspended for a year from the KBO back in May 2020, and I've heard nothing to indicate he's eying a comeback in May 2021. But, I guess you never know.
Wayward
11:09
Jason,
Jason Mackey
11:09
Wayward ...
Wayward
11:09
What has been the biggest on field surprise for you?
Jason Mackey
11:11
Hmm ... I think Kevin Newman -- outside of the grounder he booted yesterday -- has been far and away their best shortstop. Really like what I've seen from Bednar and Shreve. Hayes isn't a surprise, but he's been fun to watch. Probably less of a surprise, but Todd Frazier looks like he can still play a little, too.
Donna
11:11
Hi Jason.  Are any former players at Bradenton like Maz or Blass or has the travel restrictions prevented them attending spring training?  Thank you.
Jason Mackey
11:12
They are not. I think the combination of travel restrictions, MLB restrictions, those guys being not exactly young all had something to do with it.
Southside Jimmy
11:12
Hey Jason...are the Pirates possibly considering Cruz to eventually replace Polanco in right field?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
11:13
Hey Jimmy. Yeah, I think they're considering it, along with several things for Cruz. He's played like nine innings in the outfield. I think we need to see how he takes to it before calling him the successor to anyone at a position. But I think it is something they're considering.
jd
11:13
hey, jm.... so, on a beautiful Florida afternoon, in the time of pandemic, how do you watch the game? listening to the play-by-play? a beloved show? quiet and in the moment taking notes? set the scene for us :
Jason Mackey
11:14
Ha, jd. Love it. I always keep a scorebook. I mean, always, even during spring training games when there are 6 billion changes. I can't give it up. I also like listening to the radio and staying in my own little world. I'm not a big small talk guy during games. I'm definitely on the introverted side, and I prefer to keep to myself. No Dead, though. I want to immerse myself in baseball.
Realist
11:14
I think the Pirates minor league system abysmal state is where it is due to poor scouting, poor player development, poor trade decisions, and also stinginess of owner is prioritizing “sign ability” over quality of the prospect.  But if you had to point to one of these (or another variable) as the primary source, which would it be?
Jason Mackey
11:17
First of all, I wouldn't agree with your assessment. Neither would most evaluators, who have actually seen all of the players in the Pirates' system, analyzed them and spent an obscene amount of time formulating opinions on them. But to your point, the system Ben Cherington and Co. inherited had a couple issues, most notably development and volume of talent. They've addressed some of those, sure. I think the biggest thing would just be the number of prospects they have, and they had increased some over the past year. The trick will be to keep doing it the way a team like the Rays is able to do.
Gino
11:17
Jason, how have the backup catchers to Stallings looked so far?
Jason Mackey
11:18
Good, not great. I like Wolters over Perez. Better blocking, receiving and throwing. Hudson looks like a fine Class AAA option. But it's clear to me that Wolters has been a starter at the major league level, and I think he make a fine option to spell Stallings. I like Perez' swing, but I'm been underwhelmed to this point by his defense.
Steve
11:18
Who are the early favorites to form the Pirates 5 man starting rotation?
Jason Mackey
11:19
Right now, to me, it should look like this: Keller, Kuhl, Brault, Brubaker and Anderson. Not necessarily in that order.
Ryan
11:19
Good day Jason how has bendar from mars looking let’s go Bucs
Jason Mackey
11:19
He has been really good. One of their best pitchers in camp. Only two outings, obviously, so plenty to go. But he's putting himself in position to potentially win a bullpen job.
Eternal Hope
11:19
What is the best-case, realistic record for the Pirates? Can they go 81-81?
Jason Mackey
11:20
I don't think so. I think if they avoid losing 100 games, that would be a significant achievement. I think they can do it because I think their pitching might be OK and the division stinks. But I don't see how they win 81 games, unless MLB doubles the length of the season.
hipcheck_goalie
11:20
Are the Pirates in on any of the free agents out there?
Jason Mackey
11:21
"In" is a vague term. Like, tracking what a dude wants can be called "in." Are they likely to sign any of them? No. I don't think so.
MjB
11:21
How does Nick Gonzalez look to you?   Overwhelmed?  Lost? Perhaps "Good as anyone else?"
Jason Mackey
11:23
He looks very much like a college kid experiencing his first pro camp. He looks nervous and tentative. I saw him around kids his own age, and he looks tremendous. But even put him around Pirates major leaguers -- forget, say, the Yankees -- and it looks like it's a lot for him. Some time in the minors will help. But there's a terrific player in there, no doubt.
Justin
11:23
Is Dustin Fowler still MIA?  I feel like at this point he must have... ahem.... a certain virus.
Jason Mackey
11:23
No, he does not. He's in camp at Pirate City and working out. Last we asked Derek Shelton, he was not yet ready for games. Guess the trade forced him to miss some time while he was moving from one coast to the other. But it's not COVID. He's here and on the field.
Financial Flexibility
11:23
OK Jason it is time for the Pirates to take their first real steps to  contending.  Probably late 2023 or in 2024 I guess.  What does your crystal ball say that the lineup and rotation looks like?  And it is acceptable in few spots to have a TBD.
Jason Mackey
11:25
Hmm ... really tough to say based on '21 not starting and '20 going so poorly, but here goes nothing ... positions: 3B Hayes, SS Peguero, 2B Gonzales, 1B Martin ... LF Reynolds, CF Oliva/ Swaggerty, RF Oliva/Swaggerty ... DH Cruz. Tough to say on a lineup, honestly. Rotation something like Keller, Priester, Rocker, Malone and TBD.
Justin
11:25
Have you seen any work from Luis Oviedo?  i dont think he's gotten into games yet but i could be wrong.
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