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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 08.18.21
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Jason Mackey
11:44
Hello, friends, and welcome to my weekly Pirates chat. Just a heads up, probably gonna be done by 1 p.m. today. Have a bunch of different things to do before the game today. Will be back in about 15 minutes to get started. Thanks!
PrinceBob
11:58
As you're in LA, I'll ask about Trevor Bauer. Why is he suspended with pay when Felipe Vasquez was suspended without? I'd guess it's because Vasquez was arrested and Bauer wasn't but that's just a guess. And in your opinion, if Bauer manages to come out of this with no criminal conviction will he pitch in MLB again. Having him on a team's roster seems like a PR nightmare.
Jason Mackey
12:00
And away we go ... I think you're getting warmer. Think about it this way: The feds came and took Vazquez away, locked him up. That hasn't happened with Bauer. I understand wanting due process for Bauer, but I also think there's enough smoke there that it's a really bad look if you continue to let him pitch. I think this is probably the best compromise. If the FBI investigates you, then takes you into custody, yeah, you shouldn't be paid at that point.
12:01
And I don't have a final opinion on Bauer. It looks bad, yeah. Certainly don't condone any of that. Also wanna see everything play out before forming an opinion there. But what I've read ... sounds very, very bad.
PrinceBob
12:01
On a less grim note, how does money work for guys who go back and forth between the majors and minors? Is there a huge discrepancy between paychecks or is the deal that once you're in the majors you get major league pay?
Jason Mackey
12:02
It's situational, but generally, yeah, I would say there's a noticeable discrepancy. You get paid for days your up, minor league money for days your down. I don't wanna be the accountant sorting all of that out, believe me. But the promotion is obviously coveted for many reasons, that being one of them.
Bill
12:02
Jason-- Wouldnt it make sense to get Michael Chavis up to the MLB roster soon? I think Castro is going to be a good player but some AAA time wouldnt hurt his development and we're seeing growing pains on both sides of the ball. Chavis and Park could split time at 2B together, plus we've seen a lot of LHP recentely and the RH bat would help.
Jason Mackey
12:03
I agree with you. I like the runway they're giving Castro. I would rather have this than the other way. But I don't think we're too far from seeing someone else get a chance, either Chavis or Cole Tucker. Castro's struggles have been obvious.
Still Crazy after All these Years
12:03
How about moving Hayes to short or second? It appears he will not be hitting for either average or power enough to occupy a corner infield position. This is based on not only his performance with the Pirates but also in the minors.
Jason Mackey
12:04
I wouldn't do it on a permanent basis. He's an incredible defensive third baseman, and I think he will hit. Would I try it there for a game? Yeah, I might. And I'd take into account him possibly wanting to move. But he's great at third, they have other shortstops. Not gonna move him based on what "should" be.
V. Fontaine
12:04
Is it time to send Castro to AAA?
Jason Mackey
12:04
I think we're getting close, yeah. If not all the way there.
PrinceBob
12:04
And maybe one last one; why do radio broadcasters travel to away games and TV ones stay home?
Jason Mackey
12:07
I have absolutely no idea. That stuff doesn't make sense to me. Granted, there's more involved with a broadcast crew on the road, but, one, the home crew does it safely and, two, I have a tough time believing they either can't get people to travel or hire. It also doesn't make sense to me that broadcasters are allowed in the clubhouse, but writers are not. Broadcasters are allowed to interview the manager in-person. Writers are not. I would understand there maybe having to be fewer of us. Like the beat person from all the traveling outlets or something. But if the radio guy takes an Uber, I take an Uber, we've both been exposed to the same stuff. We're both vaccinated. We can do it outside. We would wear masks. Just doesn't make sense. And then you're saying the people who have face-to-face interactions with the manager and players, who are allowed in the clubhouse, can't go on the road because of safety? That logic doesn't track.
NorCal buc
12:07
I watched both losses to the Dodgers; you correctly stated that they were within tying or taking the lead with their LAST at-bats, in both games.  That $275M Dodger salary is no better than this?  Are the Pirates that close to competing w/the Dodgers!
Jason Mackey
12:08
I don't think I would formulate an opinion on the Dodgers and their payroll based on two games. It's a long season. I will give the Pirates credit. They've hung in there. I also think the Dodgers are gonna be there at the end when you talk about best teams in the National League.
Donna
12:09
Hi Jason.  In addition to regulars Walk and Werner, there have been a number of other color analysts, with Neil Walker being the latest.  Will Walker, Capps, Young, etc. be used next season or is this a one time thing? Do you know how Walk and Werner feel about  not working every game?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:10
Hi Donna, I think everything next season is TBD at this point, but I also don't think it would bother Walk and Wehner to do fewer games. I think Walk would be happy with reduced travel. Wehner owns a Chick-fil-A and spends a lot of time managing it. For years he pretty much only did road games because they fit better. If Walker wants to do this, I think they could easily split it up three ways, much like they did as recently as 2019.
V. Fontaine
12:14
More of a comment than a question. Some organization is going to figure out that they can win a lot of games and perhaps a World Series by focusing less on home runs, launch angles, and exit velocity. Instead of those things, they'll look to get guys on base, be agressive with steals, bunt for hits and to move runners over. Pitchers will just try to get guys out with less emphasis on strikeouts and more on relying on the defense. And they'll work fast.
Jason Mackey
12:15
I really, really hope you're right. I think yinz know this by now. I miss what baseball used to be. Not a fan of the three true outcomes. Would rather see pace and action.
Darnell
12:17
Hey Jason…I recently saw a feature on Pirate great Duck Groat and was wondering if he ever received any consideration for the Hall of Fame?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:17
Hey Darnell. Not a serious one, at least not lately. While what he did is certainly incredible, and he's a legend here, I'm not sure I see his numbers as enough to qualify him in Cooperstown. That being said, because of his playing multiple sports, I wouldn't be mad if they did. But I think that's kinda why he hasn't.
Guest
12:17
Which position(s) do you think Yoshi Tsutsugo would be best suited as a Bucco?
Jason Mackey
12:18
I'm not sure. I wanna see him in left. He wasn't bad at first, by any stretch. I also didn't see him as elite. Lineup-wise, I'd have to go with outfield, just because I think you might be able to get him regular playing time out there easier. If, of course, he earns that.
Matt from LA
12:18
You hear A LOT of criticisms directed at Polanco and Newman and rightly so, but why does Michael Perez get a pass when he is batting 155 for the year?
Jason Mackey
12:20
I think probably because he's the backup catcher and starts once or twice a week. Those are two are playing regularly. I just think on a team as bad as the Pirates are right now, feels a little dumb to focus vitriol on the backup catcher.
Bill
12:20
I'm still high on the potential of Travis Swaggerty. Its a shame he got hurt this year but assuming he comes to ST healthy next spring, if he has a good showing do you think he could force their hand and make the OD roster?
Jason Mackey
12:21
Absolutely. I hope he does. I don't know if I would call it "forcing their hand." They would love for him to do that. You're gonna have Reynolds and probably Gamel. If it was those two and Swaggerty, great. If you get Swaggerty and someone else earns a spot, bumping Gamel to a OF4 role, even better. (I like Gamel. I'm just saying the emergence of two younger guys would be great for the Pirates.)
Yuri
12:21
Hello Jason.  What’s your opinion on the new pitcher Peters?  Also, do you think Perez will be the backup catcher next year?  Thank you Jason.
Jason Mackey
12:23
Hey Yuri. I did not watch him pitch in person. Took off Sunday to spend the day with my family. Have liked what I've seen from afar. Has a live arm. Seemingly knows what he's doing. Can he do it consistently at this level? Don't know. We'll find out. And TBD on Perez, too. I don't think they have anything against it. Same time, I think they should also be staying open, looking for better options that may become available. OPS of .580. Not sure I would feel a need to bring that guy back.
TP Hunter
12:23
Hi Jason, thanks for the chat and all your hard work. Another egregious baserunning error the other night. How does anyone get so far down the third base line on a sac fly? And why isn't the 3B coach down there screaming for him to get back and tag up? You can have all of the top 100 prospects coming up through your system, but if they don't understand fundamental baseball, how are you going to win?
Jason Mackey
12:25
I would be careful on taking one brain fart -- and it was that -- and applying it to an entire minor league system. Rudy Castro screwed up. It doesn't mean Henry Davis is a bad baseball player. Cora was screaming -- or at least gesturing; not like I can hear him from up in the press box -- but the player also has the responsibility to know what he's doing. Again, he made a mistake. They happen. It's OK. Learn from it and move on.
jeff
12:25
Is the DH back next year? If so, who is frontrunner for that spot for Bucs? Is that why Yoshitomo Tsutsugo is here, for an audition?
Jason Mackey
12:26
I think the DH is back next year, yes. Seems easy enough for me. And I don't know. Tsutsugo has had 5 ABs as a Pirate. Not sure I'm going to anoint him the DH in '22. He could be. I don't know. Maybe they get someone. Maybe it's Michael Chavis. Maybe they give Oneil Cruz a chance. A lot to be determined.
Matt from LA
12:26
I guess that the BIG Nogowski wasn't so big after all? There was a reason that a s 28 year old, single hitting first baseman was not in high demand.
Jason Mackey
12:27
Yeah, the power was curiously absent from Mr. Nogowski. Long live his run, though. Will be even more hilarious to think about in a couple years.
TP Hunter
12:27
Are you surprised the Pirates pitching has held up well against the Dodgers? Has to be encouraging, yes?
Jason Mackey
12:28
I really liked how Brault threw on Monday. Not sure if I saw anything else I could classify as "encouraging." Crowe and Ponce, no. Shreve and Bednar were good/fine last night. Expected, too. Banda left a meatball. Shreve sorta on Monday, too. Curious to see how Brubaker fares today.
Gregg from Shaler
12:28
HI Jason - I'm curious about how the team is using Colin Moran. I know he's been banged up this year but he seems to have a solid track record and thus a trade value. But we neither traded or are playing him regularly. I would expect if they are keeping him, they should play him (If Polanco plays...) if they don't want him, I'd still play him to hopefully raise his stock for winter trading possibility. I understand the rebuild but this case seems inconsistent with that.
Jason Mackey
12:29
HI Gregg, I think it's too earlier to trade Moran. Stock/value just isn't there. They wanna look at a lot of possibilities, and I can see that. I think you start fresh with Moran in '22, see if he produces, then maybe go from there. Also, it's not like they're not playing him.
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