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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 07.28.21
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Jason Mackey
12:37
Hello and welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. Thanks for stopping by. We'll get started at 1, but feel free to ask your questions now.
12:59
And away we go ... little 10/31/69 Grateful Dead in the headphones.
Jacque Strap
12:59
Hi Jason, thanks for all of your work. Saw your tweet a while back about Ke'Bryan Hayes and Rodolfo Castro, speculating about positions after a Frazier trade. I know you weren't totally serious but you talked about Castro at 3rd and Hayes at SS. My question, do you know what Ke'Bryan's main position was growing up? You would think a kid with his talent would have always been a SS growing up, not a 3rd baseman. Maybe he always played 3rd because of his dad?
Jason Mackey
1:00
Yeah, that was more fun than anything. But I would perhaps see what it looks like for a game. Hayes has mostly played third growing up. Don't know if it was because of his dad or he just liked the position. He does a lot of his pregame work at short, though.
Bill
1:00
Hi Jason-- Staying busy this week? I'm intrigued by this Hoy Park guy. Think he gets a look at the MLB level after all the dust settles? I like Castro too but not the worst thing if he finishes the year at AA.
Jason Mackey
1:01
Ha! Yes, very. I am, too. I like this kid. I think they may have gotten a steal for Clay Holmes. And, yes, I think he will absolutely get a chance later this year.
Yuri
1:01
Hello Jason.  How do you compare the prospects the Pirates received from Seattle with those the Pirates would have received from Philadelphia?  Thank you Jason.
Jason Mackey
1:02
Hey Yuri. I'm not sure. I had a scout I know well tell me how much he liked the Philly guy. That said, I don't hate a .915 OPS as Carter Bins had earlier this season at High-A. The Tejada kid looks like he could grow into something special, too. Like all of this stuff, I don't think we'll know for a couple years.
Johnny
1:03
Thanks for these chats and your coverage. Really enjoy it all. On the new prospects from the Mariners, are they about the same as what the Phillies offered? I believe who we got are NOT Rule 5 eligible, so a plus?  A second question, the low bonus Bishop got, I was surprised he took it versus college-you? Thank you again for the GREAT coverage.
Jason Mackey
1:04
Hey Johnny. Thanks for the kind words. My pleasure. Appreciate yinz reading, chatting, listening, all that stuff. I don't see a huge different, to be honest with you. The Rule 5 eligibility matters some -- they're already in a pretty big crunch -- but I don't think it was everything. It's more about getting quality players, and I think they did the best they could do.
Carl in Carrick
1:04
Hi Jason, I’ve enjoyed your coverage of the draft and the trades.  Who do you see starting at shortstop and second base next season?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
1:06
Thanks, Carl. Is the Ferris Wheel still in Carrick? Used to go there with my grandma, who lived on Sinton Ave. We spent a lot of time at Phillip Park. Anyway, I think it comes down to Newman, Marcano and Castro. Maybe Park. I'd like to see more of Marcano, Castro and Park, so it's kinda tough to answer that now.
Greg
1:06
Jason, been a busy couple weeks for you thanks for keeping us updated. Thought the draft went as well as anyone could hope. Don't understand why they made trade with Seattle after the Philadelphia trade fell through, Don't you yhink they could of gotten better players from another team. Seems Phillys offer was better than Seattles.
Jason Mackey
1:07
Thanks, Greg. And no, I'm not surprised or upset by it. What they got for Anderson was about what I expected them to get. Think back a couple years ago. Remember when they got Ponce for Jordan Lyles? Anderson has been good here, and he's a solid fifth start. But that typically doesn't fetch premium prospects. Also, I'm gonna keep repeating this, we'll know more over time.
Drew
1:07
Hi Jason, I really appreciate your coverage and the work that you have had to put in around the trade deadline especially.  Thanks for keeping us informed.  What is the likelihood of signing Kellington?  And, I was looking at the 40 man roster last night, and I'm not sure it's going to be as difficult to fit the new prospects in as some are saying.  There are definitely some tough decisions to be made, but I could identify about ten spots on the roster that could be dropped without much hand-wringing over.  I think it's a good problem to have.  Your thoughts?
Jason Mackey
1:09
Thanks, Drew. Very kind of you to say. With Kellington, yes, I think they can sign him. I had heard his ask was around $250,000. They can spend more than twice that. Of course, if that's the ask and that's their money, why hasn't it happened yet? Same time, think about Cherington's day yesterday: sign Bishop, which probably had to be done before Kellington, then Anderson 1 and Anderson 2. Not really time. I think we'll hear something soon on Kellington.
Guest
1:09
With the impending rule 5 crunch, is there any chance that Ben Cherington maybe ties a rule 5 eligible guy with another player that were trading anyway to get a better return for a top prospect who is non rule 5 eligible or mlb ready?
Jason Mackey
1:10
There is a chance, yes. Cherington has talked about this and said it will be a consideration in deals they make. I sorta don't get the Rule 5 fuss, though. Like yes, they have some roster decisions to make. Also, this isn't the 40-man roster of a 100-win team. They should prioritize guys who will be part of the future, and that's it. You may take some risks and lose some. You should also look to trade. And I think they will do more of the latter.
Wayward
1:10
Sorry about that, were you surprised at the Holmes trade and the return?  Seems like a solid return.  Also any other surprise trades you can envision?
Jason Mackey
1:11
Yeah, I was surprised by that. I didn't expect Holmes to go, and I certainly didn't expect what they got back. My sleepers are guys like Shreve, Difo or Gamel. I could see them helping winning clubs. Toss Stratton in there, too, although I don't know if you could really call him a sleeper.
Guest
1:11
Any word on if Owen Kellington is close to signing?
Jason Mackey
1:12
Said this before: They needed to get Bishop done first, that way you know what you're working with. They did that yesterday. Also yesterday was the Anderson trade debacle, Rich Rod stuff, other trades. It's a mess right now. So, yeah. I think he signs, and I don't think it will be long.
Donna
1:12
Hi Jason.  Do the trades and draft selections increase the chances of Cruz being moved to the outfield?  Thank you.
Jason Mackey
1:13
Hey Donna. They could. I think it's going to depend on how Cruz handles it as well. I don't think they want to force him out there because of trades, especially if he struggles or hates it. But will they make sure they see what he can do? Yeah. And I think they were going to do that anyway.
alan
1:15
Is Ke Bryan Hayes's struggle mental or physical or is he just an average player who is a victim of the hype machine?
Jason Mackey
1:16
He was hitting .305 with five doubles and a home run in his last 14 starts entering last night, .333 w/RISP this month and has played terrific defense. I'm not sure I would agree with the assertion that he has struggled a ton.
Wayward
1:16
What do you think the approach is going to be at 2nd.  Difo, Gonzalez, Tucker, Strange-Gordon or do you think there is a younger guy that is going to get an opportunity?
Jason Mackey
1:18
I think it's going to be an audition spot, as it should be. You saw Castro get first crack. You might see Marcano or Park there. Difo and Gonzalez will play somewhere. Solid bench guys. And if Strange-Gordon -- he's hitting .233 with a .715 OPS, so I don't feel like he's forcing anyone's hand -- pushes for time, maybe he'll get a shot, too.
alan
1:18
Who do you think of the prospects just traded will make an impact and not just be AAA material?
Jason Mackey
1:19
Man, that's really hard to say right now. It all looks good on paper, right? We know the most about Marcano. I would say, at least as of now, I have a tough time believing he'll turn into that. And Park has put up some numbers.
alan
1:19
Will Mason Martin get called up on Sept 1?
Jason Mackey
1:20
I would be surprised if he did. He still has a lot of swing and miss in his swing. Too many strikeouts. I'm good with him going to Indy, but I think the majors would be a little too aggressive.
Guest
1:20
In your opinion, how many Players have the Pirates picked up the last three days who will ever contribute meaningfully at the major league level?
Jason Mackey
1:21
I think it's too early to give you a meaningful answer there. I do think -- and I know this is boring, but I don't know how else to answer -- they're doing what they should be doing and just acquiring a bunch of young, talented players. They won't all pop. But if you get enough of them and put a good development system in place, I like their chances.
Florida man
1:21
100 loss season..over/under?
Jason Mackey
1:21
Over.
Laila
1:21
What city do you think the the Pirates relocate to in 2031?
Jason Mackey
1:21
They're not leaving. Stop.
Bill
1:21
While its likely Rich Rod gets dealt, who else could go? I'd think Shreve and Stratton could have value.
Jason Mackey
1:21
Agree with you, Bill. I would say maybe Gamel, Difo and Polanco on the position player side.
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Johnny
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4:02
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Jason,
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Wayward
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4:22
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Jason,
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alan
 - 
4:23
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Hi Jason
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Guest
 - 
4:41
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Next pirates
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Biden
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4:59
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I'm going to leave this chat to focus on my mental health..thanks for all you do.
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Skeptik
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6:13
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Any reason not to bring Brault up and start him rather than in a rehab situation in AAA? Are they worried he’ll be worse than Oviedo?
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Bill
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6:49
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I plan to go to an Altoona game next year with my brother. Any recommendations for other things to do up there?
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