JotCast | Jason Mackey's sports chat: 02.13.25

Jason Mackey's sports chat: 02.13.25

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Hope Springs Eternal

12:22

Henry, Endy, Jack, Gonzalez.

Jason Mackey

12:23

Henry (4) ... don't see where he fits ... Endy (3) ... sadly ... Jack (1) actually think he could be decent and Gonzales (2) ... not terrible, not a star.

Jimbo

12:23

The Pirates had 4 Mendoza line players in 80% of the games last season. Giving away 12-15 automatic outs a game. How could they as an organization add Horowitz and Pham and pretend all is well. Those 2 guys won’t have 90 RBIs between them. Paul S was direct about pissing away 10 games last year. I would love for him to shame Cherington and Nutting for being so fing cheap. Why don’t players like him vocalize what fans and players alike are thinking? How can they possibly be enthusiastic about playing here?

Jason Mackey

12:25

I think Paul will vocalize things over time. It takes a little bit, believe me. Also, you need to put your pitchfork down and try to think like a player in that room, who works for the organization. This could work. I'm serious. I'm not saying it will. I'm saying it could. Even you're Skenes, you're probably gonna hear 'em out. Can the Pirates be like the Rays or Guardians? Again, they're going to look at this more objectively than you. If it doesn't work, then, yeah, I don't expect Paul and others to just shush. But you have to give it a chance to maybe work.

Don the tiger Hoak

12:25

Why was Malcom Nunez moved to third base from first base and now they scrabble to find someone to play first. I know he was injured last year, but why the move to third when it looks like this kid from Notre Dame could turn out to be very good future third baseman. Will they protect Nunez this year from rule five. Joe L. Brown is turning over in his grave at this managements moves/no moves.

Jason Mackey

12:27

I believe Nunez has been Rule 5 eligible. Also, first basemen are rarely picked in the Rule 5 draft. He originally played third base, gained weight, moved, then lost weight, now they're considering other options. I don't know if he's gonna hit enough to where it matters. Needs to have a big year this year, or it's probably case closed. Jack Brannigan ... maybe, but he's not ready. He has not yet been to Double-A.

Jeff M

12:27

During SB week I heard a quote from Kellen Moore that said he find what a player does exceptionally and looks for ways to highlight that. Does it feel like the Steelers acquire players and say this is how we play, hope you can adjust?

Jason Mackey

12:28

I don't know. Who do you think they've acquired and delivered that mandate to? Preventing Russ from running the offense isn't great. So, maybe that. But ... I genuinely don't know who you're referencing here. Patrick Queen?

demosthenes98

12:28

I know it's early and you're never short on great column ideas, but...do you think you'll be writing about any of Pitt's spring sports teams this year?

Jason Mackey

12:29

If the story and web traffic warrants it, sure. Can't write about everything. I'm trying to learn to pick my battles.

demosthenes98

12:29

Alex Nedeljkovic is a known quantity, while Joel Blomqvist is not. Since the Penguins almost certainly won't be making the playoffs this year, shouldn't they be playing Blomqvist more so they can figure out what they have in him?

Jason Mackey

12:29

Yes. And I think they will. However, Ned has been pretty good lately. I have no problem sticking with him.

demosthenes98

12:29

As spring training dawns, the Pirates seem pretty confident. Given how little they've accomplished lately and how little they did this past offseason, though, shouldn't they be less confident and more humble?

Jason Mackey

12:31

It's not my job to control their demeanor, but I don't sense the same thing you do. I think the players are humble. Shelton and Cherington ... maybe that's where this is coming from? I don't know. But I don't know how, if you're the Pirates, you could be overly cocky right now.

demosthenes98

12:31

Which is more valuable to an MLB team--a good clubhouse guy who's maybe not so good of a player, or a total jagoff who can hit 40 homers and drive in 120 runs?

Jason Mackey

12:31

The jagoff. Every day of the week. (More-questions-than-my-wife territory here)

Dan

12:31

The Pirates spent almost 15 million on one year contracts for free agents that are washed up or trying to resurrect their careers. They also overpaid for a damaged goods free agent with little big league experience to play first base. I would rather see them spend that kind of money on one proven major league player then this bargain basement approach year after year. BTW, I enjoy your reporting. It can be easy!

Jason Mackey

12:32

Thanks, Dan. Not sure I detected a question in there. But appreciate the kind words. Not sure I'd call anything easy, but it beats digging ditches.

Art from NC

12:32

Hey Jason- Excellent Pirate Observations from you- I never thought the Pirates could be as discombobulated as the teams from the mid-80's- led by stalwarts like Doug "4-6-3" Froebel- but what I see coming for this year looks just as bad- a few decent players surrounded by has-beens or never-will-be's- What hope do we have that this will ever turnaround before Skenes leaves for the Yankees or Dodgers in 3 years?

Jason Mackey

12:33

They have the hardest part figured out: starting pitching. As I said earlier, too, there's nothing stopping them from employing a new offensive approach, playing better fundamental baseball or simply getting better.

PrinceBob

12:33

I'll start by saying that at first I thought the Tommy Pham signing was just another scrap heap signing of a guy past his prime trying to hang on a bit longer, but maybe with some anger management issues. But if he can sort out the Pirate problems with poor fundamentals I'm all for bringing him in. Maybe he can do what two managers haven't been able to.

Jason Mackey

12:33

They haven't had a personality like his, as I've written. They could use the kick in the pants.

PrinceBob

12:33

And now for my big question of the week. Do you think the Steelers relationship with their fans and maybe also the local media is changing and not for the better? Buddy Parker was coaching them when I started following them and I can't recall ever seeing so much discontent expressed. Before Noll they were rarely good and everyone kind of accepted that. I can't recall seeing "Fire Mike Nixon and Sell the Team" billboards. If they weren't good from 1970 onward the expectation was that they would be again fairly soon, the question was when they'd be good, not if. I get the sense now that "if" is on a lot of people's minds.

Jason Mackey

12:36

Thank you for this. ... I think the Steelers handle media -- and by proxy, fans -- different than they have in the past, yes. Maybe it's cultural. Maybe it's Tomlin. I don't know. But I do think there was a time where the most common theme among Steelers fans was an undying believe, always Pittsburgh's team, history, a representation of us, etc. Now, it's more frustration with Tomlin, always doing the same way, yearning for change, etc. It is different. I'm not talking about access or anything like that, but there probably is a different relationship with media, sure. That's the case across pro sports. I just think their adherence to tradition resonates less than it used to.

PrinceBob

12:36

My follow up to that last question is that if the Steelers feel that fans are disgruntled in a new and worse way it will get them to re evaluate how they do things? The Pirates seem completely oblivious to what fans think of them but Steeler fans have never turned on the team.

Jason Mackey

12:37

I don't think so. I would be shocked if the Steelers suddenly started charting their path based on fan sentiment. No organization should do that.

Tom M.

12:37

Tomlin gets a lot of criticism. But the root problem is not enough good players. How much of the blame for that is on him and how much is on the front office? Do you have an idea about the division of labor between Tomlin and the front office on personnel matters like deciding on draft picks and FA signings? Should that division of labor change?

Jason Mackey

12:38

Tomlin has ultimate say over players. I'm not absolving the front office, believe me. But Tomlin has waaaay too much to do with shopping for groceries. Should worry more about cooking the meal. It's fair to blame him when that goes awry. ... So, yeah, the division of labor that has Tomlin basically as a co-president or something very high up I think should change.

PrinceBob

12:38

And finally, what I think is my last question about the Steelers, I have read many pieces about where Aaron Rodgers will land next year and nearly all of them have the Steelers as a possible spot. I've never seen that as a serious possibility but now some of those articles are saying the Steelers are Rodgers' most likely next team and even Joe Starkey is treating it as a possibility now. Do you think this is an actual, realistic, possibility?

Jason Mackey

12:39

I do. Hearing Bill Cowher, Peter King or Mike Florio talk about it, if it was impossible, I think they would say so and shoot it down. The fact that they haven't makes me think that it's at least possible, which is what you asked.

Word Salad Sandwich

12:39

What do you make of the Steelers not re-newing the contract of Grady Brown? Tomlin has been pumping him up as a DC candidate the past couple years and now he is gone.

Jason Mackey

12:40

With everything else going on with this team, I'm not sure I have the energy to care. Does it really matter? Tomlin is the DC anyway. Why should I worry about who holds the title?

John in SC

12:40

Thanks for the chat Jason. I’ve been an avid Pgh sports fan for all of my 74+ yrs. I consider myself very lucky to have watched some of the greatest players in their sports, Clemente, Stargell, Green, Franco, Mario, Sidney and more. But now it is hard to root for these teams. Money has ruined professional sports. Yes, it has always been. I remember reading Roberto’s letter at the Clemente museum. Why should I continue to follow professional sports as it’s only going to get worse?

Jason Mackey

12:41

That's your choice, John. None of my business how you spend your time or money. If your heart isn't in it, don't. I follow them because I find the drama of not knowing fun. Or the history and research aspect. The personalties to a degree, sure. But it's basically reality TV. I love the storylines and drama.

DXF

12:41

Thanks for the chats. I've learned a lot from you. I am new to hockey. Can you tell me what type of defense the penguins play schematically. I see some teams playing a 1-2-2 but I have not been able to quite figure out what the pens play. Thanks for any information

Jason Mackey

12:42

Their defensive alignments or comments on their system would be much better directed at Matt Vensel. I wouldn't describe it as a 1-2-2 or 1-3-1 as much as a pressurized system where they're trying to funnel things to areas and take away certain pockets of ice. But I would trust Matt to articulate it much better than I ever could.

Thurman

12:42

Hey Brian, in light of the Horowitz injury, do you think Cherington is regretting not getting Paul

Jason Mackey

12:43

Not doubt. I don't know who Brian is ... or who this supposedly Paul signing might be. But I'll bet Ben regrets it.

Aces High

12:43

Over-under on Pirate errors this year. 135? over?

Jason Mackey

12:44

I think they made 91 last year. I'm gonna go under.