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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 01.30.25
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demosthenes98
12:32
I know that $300,000 is a lot of money to you and me, but the last time I checked, the Pirates are owned by a billionaire. Why do they insist on fighting their players over such relatively trivial amounts? What are they going to do when players inevitably start fighting back? And what's stopping MLB arbitrators from seeing through the charade and handing Pirates players wins until the team is sold?
Jason Mackey
12:33
I mean, you can be upset about the Pirates' cheapness. Go nuts. But they're hardly the only MLB team to quibble with a player over $300,000. They also won the case against Oviedo, FWIW. I'm not saying their spending habits are without reproach, but I'm pretty sure their reputation is already established among players.
Kendrick
12:33
Hi Jason, no question, just a comment that I was glad that Oviedo lost his arbitration hearing.  I can’t believe he asked for a raise not having played last season.
Jason Mackey
12:35
It's based on service time. Oviedo worked his butt off trying to get right. I don't have an opinion either way. There's a process for a reason. Johan is allowed to ask for what he did. The pirates are allowed to see it the way they did. And someone breaks the tie. My only commentary on arb, honestly, is who gives a crap? I don't care what you make. Do you care what I make? Doesn't change anything. I think it's stupid that's it's talked about like it's the least bit relevant.
Kyser Sozay
12:35
Now that Queen and Wilson have been named to the Pro Bowl what-ever-it-is, isn’t it time to stick a fork in that whole endeavor?
Jason Mackey
12:35
I hope not. I was invited 45 minutes ago. If we stick a fork in it, I have to cancel my trip.
Sam
12:35
Hi Jason.  Considering the “free” aspect of free agency, is there a world in which the Steelers get back neither Wilson nor Fields?   Or does that world simply mean they are paying more than they planned on paying for one of them so as not to be shut out?
Jason Mackey
12:36
Sure. I think that's entirely possible. They have a lot of needs. They may not want to overpay. And those guys may look at the current FA class and say, "You know what? I'm gonna get to March 12 and see what's out there."
PrinceBob
12:36
It's pretty commonly agreed that winning big in the NFL requires a good quarterback. But when Denver won the Super Bowl Payton Manning was past the time when he was a really good quarterback. They won with defense and a running game. Is this still possible? There don't seem to be many ways the Steelers can get a really good quarterback but would it be realistic to focus on defense and their running game and finally get a playoff win or three with guys like Fields, Wilson, Whoever, etc.?
Jason Mackey
12:37
I think that's a valid point. Also, may be more realistic than you think. If they sign Fields, they have to surround him with "weapons" ... meaning a better running game, more wide receivers, make defensive improvements, etc. No matter what happens, I don't think the Steelers are going to be quarterback-based in '25.
Greg in Greenville
12:38
Jason, Hope you and your family are well. As you know the Pirates sent e-mails to some Pirate fans asking them different questions about the team and management. Do you think the Pirates actually care about the responses they received?
Jason Mackey
12:38
They might care about them. Do I see them changing their spending habits because fans probably ripped the heck out of them? No, I don't. Basically I don't think the results of the survey will lead to meaningful changes.
PrinceBob
12:38
Is Adam Frazier the right field addition everyone says the Pirates need? I liked him a lot when he was here before but honestly, a.202 batting average?
Jason Mackey
12:39
I sure hope not. Frazier should be the 26th man.
Joe Starkey
12:39
I am so weird
Jason Mackey
12:39
We all are, Joe. You have to be weird to do this job.
Aces High
12:39
It was said at Pirate fest to show some respect when the chants of sell the team were going on. Isn't respect earned and not given. What have this management team and ownership done with the blessing of drafting Mr. Skenes 1-1 to improve this lineup and compete??? When they won't add payroll to the lineup when you have the best player they've had since Bond's, I am not sure how a fan is supposed to hold out any remaining hope.
Jason Mackey
12:42
I wasn't there. I'm not reacting to something I didn't see. I also like Brownie and respect what he's doing there -- he's sticking up for his organization, his employer, in a heated moment. To your point, yeah, they need to win. Said this earlier, but they're making a huge bet here that they can win with this group. Objectively, Aces, they did. Some. They went 56-54 through 100 GP last year. They had a 10-game losing streak and played lousy fundamental baseball. But what if that was 5-5 with better fundamentals and maybe some situation hitting? What if they had won 83-84 games? Would you be as upset or would you say, "Hey, this is a pretty decent core here. They didn't make it all the way, but Skenes didn't come up until 5/11, Jones was hurt, etc."
12:43
I get why people are upset, believe me. That's fair. They should be. But my point is that it's still possible to win. What if they do?
Wayward
12:43
Jason, Noah and Andrew did/do a great job covering the Bucs, are you planning a trip to spring training?  If so, what are you the things you are most interested in seeing?
Jason Mackey
12:45
I am planning a trip. As of now leaving around 3/8 or so. Later than I would like, but those guys will be in our condo from 2/8 onward. ... A lot. Skenes, obviously. Bubba Chandler against top competition. Development of Oneil Cruz. Is Ke'Bryan Hayes healthy? Can Jack Suwinski and Henry Davis figure it out?
I could go on. We have a lot of questions to get to.
Steel Addiction
12:45
Jason, thanks for the chats as always!  Listening to AR2 speak about the current state of the Steelers should make anyone question what exactly he is watching.  Speaking about the "mean" over the last decade...has the Steeler Way become lost?
Jason Mackey
12:46
Well, you may be crossing Art Rooney II with his brother. But to your second point, yeah, I worry that the Steeler Way has become lost. When does patience become a problem, right? If the NFL is operating within a bunch of trends and the Steelers are outside of them, pretty soon it's fair to wonder whether that is indeed a bad thing. It's also worrisome that they've really seemed to insulate themselves from this sort of stuff. Or so it seems.
Dallas
12:46
will Rich Rodriguez be able to elevate WVUs football program more than Neal Brown was able to?
Jason Mackey
12:48
I have my doubts. Name one college football reunion story that has gone well. I know they're out there, but it's not a super common thing. And believe me, I'd love it if he got WVU in the CFP or something like that. But the Mountaineers have a long way to go before we talk about them winning the Big 12.
Josh
12:48
Do you think Bubba Chandler makes the rotation out of camp or does he need more AAA experience?
Jason Mackey
12:48
As much as I want to see him become Jared Jones 2.0, I think he probably needs a little more experience.
Howard
12:48
Why do the Pirates have so many TV/radio analysts? Wouldn't it be better if they just had a set TV booth and a set radio booth? I hate never knowing who is doing any given series.
Jason Mackey
12:49
They've done a lot Brown on TV, Block on radio. They rotate that some, but I'd say it's probably 75%/25%. They rotate analysts for a couple reasons. Different perspectives and eras, for one. But also those guys' schedules and personal desires play a part.
Steel Addiction
12:50
As some point, the Penguins need to get younger and faster on the ice.  I understand loyalty to guys like Crosby and Malkin, but if they want to win another cup in the next 10 years they really need a youth movement.  Why not look at picking up some valuable draft picks while there is still value to be had?
Jason Mackey
12:50
I agree the Penguins need to get younger, but if you're talking about trading Crosby and Malkin, that's kind of impossible with their no-movement clauses.
Steel Addiction
12:50
Is Bob Nutting totally obtuse in sending out surveys to season ticket holders, or does he really just not care what the answers to those surveys are so it's more of a formality?  Seems to me anyone that really wants to read those answers must be a masochist.
Jason Mackey
12:51
I don't know. I can't relay his thinking on the matter. I'm guessing it's an effort on the Pirates' part to better connect with fans. At the same time, they know what fans want out of them. And it's not entrance/exit ease at PNC Park or variety of concessions.
PhilinCT
12:51
As always Mr Mackey, thanks for the "above the line" work. A left handed reserve middle infielder that they actually sold high on a few years ago?? I have seen several rationalizations and in a vacuum I can accept that but what about addressing a real need? Do I dare hope that the two weeks before ST will bring something (anything) better?
Jason Mackey
12:52
Thank you for that. I don't know what you're talking about here. A left-handed middle infielder? I've touched on my feelings about what they'll do between now and ST. We need to move along.
Todd Gak
12:53
So the Pirates have a chance to win over this city with the Steelers & Pens issues. Let’s sign Adam Frazier and Tim Mayza.
Jason Mackey
12:53
I'll bet you a dinner that Adam Frazier was in Summer Catch.
Guest
12:53
Good morning Jason, do you believe the Pirates will ever actually sign a free agent to a multi-year deal?  Since Cherington's hiring, they have only signed free agents to a single-year deal, clearly not the way to build a competitive team.
Jason Mackey
12:55
I do -- eventually. They haven't done so to this point because they haven't won. Have been over and over this. But if guys have other options -- and those earning multi-year offers do -- why would you choose to play here? Until the Pirates win, the song will remain the same. They also need to overpay, which doesn't happen when it comes to Cherington wanting to be ... let's say efficient with every dollar.
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