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Jason Mackey's Pirates chat: 11.25.20
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Jason Mackey
11:34
Hello, crazy, rabid and awesome baseball fans. Thank you for joining my weekly Pirates chat, pre-Thanksgiving edition. Feel free to leave your questions. I'll be back at noon to answer them.
Rich from Indio CA
12:04
Why do the Pirates refuse to say the word "rebuild" when the whole world knows that is what they are doing?  It makes them look foolish.
Jason Mackey
12:05
OK, folks. Let's do it. If you're curious, we're rocking a little 7-12-89 Grateful Dead, from beautiful RFK in Washington, D.C. Couple songs into the first set.
Thanks for the question, Rich. To start, I actually asked Ben Cherington about that in spring training, and here's what he said: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2020/02/06/Pirates-Ben-Che...
12:07
I get where Ben is coming from. He's essentially saying there's not a ton here, so they're simply trying to build. OK, fair. Although I also don't think he and they are reading the room terribly well with their comments. Pirates fans aren't stupid. I think they can accept that things aren't great right now, and massive changes are needed. But let's not split hairs. For all intents and purposes, this is a rebuild. Look at what the New York Rangers did a couple years ago. That's how you handle something like this. Just be honest and ask for patience.
Greatful
12:07
Hello, hope you're having a good day.  What is your alltime favorite live ICP recording
Jason Mackey
12:07
Hmm ... that's a good one. Not sure I've ever been hugely moved by one. Any suggestions?
Guest
12:07
Do you see the organization sitting down with Keone Kela and try to hammer out a contract. Think with his skill set if nothing else he could offer a decent return...
Jason Mackey
12:09
I don't see it. I like Kela. I think he has a live arm. However, I think someone else will give him a chance for more than the Pirates want to pay. And nothing against Kela, but I think they would probably like to skew younger with who they're giving opportunity to. Now, if we get to January or February, Kela has nothing offer-wise, and he's willing to come back on a bargain-basement deal, then I think that's something they would consider. But only for cheap, cheaper than I think Kela or his agent would want.
Jeff
12:09
I seem to remember Kim Ng received interview with Pirates before Cherington was hired. Do you recall?I think it will be interesting how she handles her 1st off season.
Jason Mackey
12:13
I don't believe she interviewed, although I could be wrong. It was a long time ago, and not all interview candidates became public. In any case, I think she's hugely qualified -- and has been for a number of years. I can't wait to see how she handles everything in Miami. I also hope that it serves as an important reminder that sex or race have absolutely nothing to do with your ability to think, learn or run a baseball team. The sport needs more diversity in all aspects.
Ricky
12:13
Did you see on MLB trade Rumors the 🐐 plans on playing again in 2021. The pirates should be calling his phone 24/7. Puig would easily be the most talented on the roster. By September “MVP MVP MVP” chants would be roaring at PNC
Jason Mackey
12:13
Are you telling me they're not roaring there now? They should be.
Scrap Harrisburg
12:14
I am getting my hopes up for a well run Pirates organization for a change.  Now Verizon removed AT$T Sportsnet from my selections.   Are there going to be ways to stream the games in 2021.
Jason Mackey
12:14
Yessir. Look into Fubo. You can stream 'em that way. It looks pretty reasonable, too. I also believe the whole Fios thing will be cleared up by the time the regular season starts.
Rich from Indio CA
12:15
I think Adam F can hit again and he is a good fielder.  What can we get for him in a trade?  I don't want to trade him but if we are looking at 2023 to compete we need to get a player close to ready.
Jason Mackey
12:17
I think you need to get the right player. I don't think you need to go into this saying "We have to get someone who will be ready for 2023." Heck, it might be two players. But you need to maximize the return on Frazier -- and all players -- and I think that's what Cherington is trying to do. As for what he would yield, I don't think it will be, like, two top 10s or anything like that. Remember what Marte brought (Peguero, Malone, plus bonus pool money) and work backwards from there. Maybe a top-20 guy? Should probably aim to get a legitimate catching prospect at some point. Pitching never hurts, either.
Rich from Indio CA
12:17
Jason
Jason Mackey
12:17
Rich
Pirates fan
12:17
Do you think the pirates will target anyone from the rule 5 Draft
Jason Mackey
12:18
I do. A team picking first has never not made their pick, I do believe. But this is also a way for teams to acquire talent and build --  both things that apply to the Pirates. They certainly have opportunity for guys. You go 19-41 in a 60-game season, that's probably the one thing you can say you have for sure. So, yeah, I expect them to pick.
🔑’bryan
12:18
Do you expect me to be really good this year? Will I be a top 5 third baseman
Jason Mackey
12:18
Yes, I do. And you already are, my man. You should have been a RoY finalist, if not the winner. Looking forward to seeing more of you in 2021.
ExileInDC
12:19
I’m always amused at the expectation that Adam Frazier will be traded. If it were me, I would sign him and stick him at second for 2-3 years, until Nick Gonzales is ready. As for his “trade” prospects, here is a partial list of 2bs available in free agency (accent on the “free”): La Stella, Panik, Schoop, Sogard, Wong, Kipnis, two Hernandez’s, and of course LeMahieu. What team would be willing to give up a prospect of any value for Frazier, even assuming they like his “versatility?” Looking at it through the other end of the telescope, if we didn’t have a Frazier and signed him to play 2b, many would probably consider it to be a good move.
Jason Mackey
12:22
I think it depends on his arb number, which is projected to land between $3.3-$5.2 million. Also, a lot of teams were asking about him at last year's Winter Meetings, something I know because I was the one who first reported it. So if you're not gonna contend, you have a guy people want and he would qualify as one of the highest-paid players on your team, why wouldn't you try to get something for him? It has nothing to do with Schoop or Sogard, aside from maybe them being inputs on Frazier's value. But it's Cherington's job to set the Pirates up for long-term success. If that includes Gonzales -- which it likely does -- then he needs to turn present-day assets into future talent.
Pirates fan
12:22
How high could Anthony Alford ceiling be this year
Jason Mackey
12:22
Between 10-12 feet, I believe. Not sure the build of the house.
12:23
Seriously, though, I think a lot of Alford. He's athletic as hell. Smart. Well-liked. Cares. Knows what he's doing. Can he hit? I don't know. He's never had enough consistent playing time to find out. I'm confident he can do most other things. And he certainly has the tools to hit. If he does, I absolutely he could become an every-day center field.
*fielder
ExileInDC
12:23
Don’t mean this to sound as loaded as it seems, but do you sense that this regime actually feels a responsibility to win baseball games in 2021, or will they live on the excuse that it isn’t their “window” just yet?
Jason Mackey
12:28
Confession: I struggled to understand what a "loaded" question is. As a reporter, I'm obviously aware of trying to take a subject down a certain road and try to avoid influencing what comes out of that person's mouth as much as possible. But the term loaded question always confuses me. Anyway ... No. I don't think they're terribly worried about 2021, at least when comparing it to 2023 or the future. Now, that being said, I do think they want to play better. I think they want to show some signs, maybe surprise people and give a reason for fans to care. But I think they're going to be more aware of when their window really is and do a better job of acting when it's open. That's not now.
Carl in Carrick
12:28
Hi Jason.  I see Cole Tucker is dating actress/singer Vanessa Hudgens.  Nutting should have her sing the National Anthem and have a post game concert.  Maybe her appearance will bring in some fans.  Your thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:29
Hi Carl. I grew up in Brentwood, right next door. Used to have some heated baseball games with Carrick growing up. My grandma lived on Sinton Ave. Anyway, sure, why not? I know very little of Vanessa Hudgens -- I'm not old, but I am a nerd -- but it sounds like she's a Big Deal.
Donna
12:29
Hi Jason,  Have you heard if the Mets might be interested in trading for Frazier since Cano has been suspended? Thanks!
Jason Mackey
12:30
Hi Donna, I have not heard that, although it would not surprise me. I think it'll probably be fairly quiet with most things until the non-tender deadline on Dec. 2, with teams kind of wanting to get the lay of the land, but after that, I could see a lot of teams kicking tires on Frazier, with the Mets being one of them.
Ricky
12:30
Would you want Archer to come back?
Jason Mackey
12:32
I wouldn't be against it. The strategy would be to sign him for cheap, let him prove himself, then flip him. I'd also want to know more about his progress and how he's looking; I'd want to be convinced that it was worth the investment. I also worry about taking away from starts that could and should be made by Keller, Taillon, Kuhl and Brubaker, plus potentially Musgrove and Brault, if they're not traded. Thirdly, if he has a chance to pitch for a team's competitive -- and let's be honest, most are more competitive than the Pirates right now -- I don't see why he would come to Pittsburgh, unless the Pirates offered a stupid high salary.
Richard
12:32
Jason, It appears most young players spend at least one year or maybe two at any one minor league level.If a prospect is at a certain level for more than two years, aside from injuries is it safe to say there are concerns about that player ever making it beyond the next level?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:34
Hi Richard, I think it's hard to give a blanket answer on that because development is so individual. I guess generally, yeah, getting stuck at one level for an extended period of time isn't great. But I don't know, if a guy is working on something big and needed the time ... or maybe he had an injury ... a position change, that sort of thing ... there are ways that it wouldn't be terrible.
To your point, though, I think the quicker anyone can move through the system the better. You just never wanna do it before someone is truly ready.
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