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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 01.30.25
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Cullen
1:06
Can I call in to the fan as an out of state Pirates fan? I try to catch you when I can, just have to say you're doing great work!
Jason Mackey
1:07
Ha. Surely. I'll be back Friday night. Thanks so much for that. I've been enjoying it.
Olivia
1:07
Jason, am I the perfect person to stroll into Sunglass Bob's office and demand he reduce his EBITDA to around $60M and put a decent product behind my man?
Jason Mackey
1:08
I had to Google EBITDA, but sure, Livvy. If you do, please put that on social media. That interaction would be priceless. Come to think of it, any interaction you have with Bob Nutting, put that on there. Doesn't even have to be asking about payroll.
Drew
1:08
Jason, in hindsight, if I was truly a world beater, I would never have escaped the event horizon of THE Ohio State University?
Jason Mackey
1:09
I don't know what you're saying, but Drew Allar made a bad throw and lost in the College Football Playoff semifinals. I'm OK with that. He's coming back, and Penn State should be a legit top-5 team in the country next year. I don't need to get mad over that.
Saquon
1:09
Jason, I am on a mission, and I fully expect to be named the MVP of the upcoming contest. It's my world right now and Taylor and Travis are just living in it. Your thoughts, if any?
Jason Mackey
1:09
I think it's gonna be a good football game, with a lot of desire, intrigue, athletic ability and excitement. It'll be Super!
RS
1:09
Pens upcoming trade deadline, are you looking at getting back draft picks or players and would you be willing to take less of a return on a Rackell or Petterson deal if you can add a Jarry or Graves type contract to the trade?
Jason Mackey
1:10
I'd prefer players, younger players who are closer. I think they should be targeting 2025-26 as a soft return, 2026-27 as more reasonably competitive. It would depend on those guys. As with all of this stuff it depends on the real, not the theoretical. Hard to answer.
Justin
1:10
Do you think that the people who run the pirates think that this is all just going swimmingly going into year 6, and that any fan who disagrees is stupid?
Jason Mackey
1:10
No, I don't.
Justin
1:11
if you bring back Justin Fields, get a healthy good line in front of him, and manage to acquire a 2nd talented WR (FA or 1st rounder) to pair with Pickens, that things could work pretty well?
Jason Mackey
1:11
Yes, I do. A lesser version of that went 4-2. I know the opponents weren't as good. But the Steelers have money. If they get a real WR2, a legit backfield complement to Warren and a few more things, it might not stink.
Justin
1:12
No real question here.  More just commentary you can feel free to agree or disagree with.  The pirates spending $30 million less than what they should be spending is only a small slice of the pie here. The bigger slices of the pie are almost entirely whiffing on trading Musgrove, Marte, Taillon, and Bell, and not drafting an above average hitter since Austin Meadows in 2013 (which is a factual claim by the way, by career wRC+).  Just TWO decent hitters via those trades or by draft would totally change the feel of this team, for 0 dollars added to payroll.
Jason Mackey
1:12
You're not wrong. These points have been made many times before. Spending is part of it, yes. But there's been too much failed drafts, lost trades, bad FA signings, lack of international talent, etc.
Eli
1:12
hi Jason, have you gotten a sense from any of the Pirates players that they’re a little bit upset by the lack of additions or even anything resembling a real plan to win, namely the pitchers/Reynolds?
Jason Mackey
1:13
Right or wrong, I think they think they can win with what they have. The might be right. They know they play for the Pirates. They'll never say this, but they didn't expect their employer to be crazy active this offseason. They know it's largely on them.
Jan
1:13
Hi Jason, I too, welcome your entry into the broadcast arena.  I hope you will follow in the steps of the late Myron Cope and the late Stan Savran, who were professional when on the air as opposed to some local sports show hosts who lower themselves by talking about their bathroom habits and similar subjects.  I don’t believe you can go wrong if you have access to the tapes of Myron and Stan and follow their example.  Thank you.
Jason Mackey
1:14
Thanks, Jan. Stan has always been an idol of mine. Same with Guy Junker, who I just had on a podcast. I'm a huge Guy fan, especially for his approach. Thank you for listening. It has been a lot of fun. I try to be decent and genuine.
TVC15
1:14
I kind of knew that Drew Allar would continue to play small in big games against Notre Dame. Could next season finally see him take a giant leap forward to become the quarterback everyone thought he would be .... but hasn't so far?
Jason Mackey
1:15
I think so. I think there's a lot of talent there. I believe in Drew Allar. He hasn't played his best in big games, that's fair. But I like the idea of him coming back, and I'll get he gets his before he leaves PSU.
Greg in Steubenville
1:15
Hi Jason, I have to agree with what Kendrick said about Oviedo.  It’s not about the money, but the principle.  For example, I would not ask for a raise if I was unable to do my job.  I’m hoping Oviedo can be a big factor for the upcoming season.
Jason Mackey
1:16
It's not his fault he couldn't do it. His arm broke. Then he worked super hard to come back stronger and committed his whole year to doing everything within his power to improve. The entire arbitration system is based on service time, not MLB games played. I fail to see the issue here.
TVC15
1:16
Was the whole Bears asking about Tomlin thing just made up? Maybe by Rooney? I have to think the Bears would a million times rather have Ben Johnson. I know I would.
Jason Mackey
1:16
I don't think it was made up. That's a heck of a thing to concoct.
Gene
1:16
Who is the starter at catcher and who will be #2 ?
Jason Mackey
1:16
Starter is easy: Joey Bart. #2 probably will be figured out in spring. I could see a competition between Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez.
Vinnie
1:16
Hey Jason, saw a photo of LeBron James visiting Duquesne’s hoop team and was wondering if you know how former coach Keith Dambrot is doing if you know.
Jason Mackey
1:17
I don't. I'm sorry. I talked to Keith a couple times but obviously don't know him well enough to give you an answer like that.
TVC15
1:17
To paraphrase Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer talking about his manager Earl Weaver .... is the only thing Mike Tomlin knows about offense is that he can't stop it?
Jason Mackey
1:18
Who needs Mike Tomlin to know about offense? He should know enough to trust his OC. I also don't like him dictating style of play, although I realize that's his right. If I'm managing that, I'm telling my OC, "I want points. How you get there, I couldn't care less."
Commissioner
1:18
Penguins, Pirates and Steelers, all in serious disarray with seemingly no recognition of their failures and incompetence, and no forward thinking to fix it. Tell me why I should be more positive about their futures. Thank you
Jason Mackey
1:18
You shouldn't. We're firing everyone and selling the teams. Everything stinks.
Bob@7Springs
1:19
How many more seasons, including the upcoming one, do the Pirates have control of Skenes? We lost one due to him being Rookie of the Year.  Did we lose one also because of when we brought him up last year?
Jason Mackey
1:19
They have him for four more seasons after 2025. You get six. Last year was one. This year will be two.
Drunk uncle
1:20
I miss Abby’s articles . Is she still work for pg
Jason Mackey
1:20
She is not. She's working at home, running our family.
Scary
1:20
Given the horrible events that occurred last night and all the traveling you do do you ever get nervous about flying ? Has there ever been any scary incident that happened when you traveled with the team or covering a game ?
Jason Mackey
1:20
I don't. And I don't plan to. But we will be praying for all of those affected. Just awful.
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