You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jason Mackey's sports chat: 04.24.25
powered byJotCast
Prev Page View Full Chat Next Page
Jason Mackey
12:21
You're correct. Can't change it now! That's cheating. But I don't feel great about 84, I'll say that much.
epiballo
12:21
Rust loses his 'no trade' protection this summer; do you see the Penguins trading him?
Jason Mackey
12:21
I do not. They'll keep him.
epiballo
12:21
Do you see any 'Steeler surprises' in the NFL draft?
Jason Mackey
12:22
I could see them taking an offensive lineman earlier than we think. With Seumalo likely done after next year, they could use some additional guard depth. That and maybe an edge rusher.
Tom M.
12:22
You covered the Pirates for a long time and now all sports and bring a good perspective in your coverage. It seems the Steelers are drifting towards the Pirates in terms of poor performance. I would argue the similarity is the poor management teams running the teams from the owner on down. The biggest difference is that the Steelers will spend money while the Pirates do not. What do you think the Steelers should do to turn the ship around?  No need to answer for the Pirates since that situation seems hopeless.
Jason Mackey
12:25
I don't think the Pirates' situation is hopeless. I also don't think the two should be compared. Different sports. Different financial landscapes. All kinds of stuff. The Steelers need to focus more on their offense. Catch up with the rest of the NFL. More innovative concepts. Better players. Adjust. If Tomlin can't or won't do it, get someone who will. Speaking of which, Tomlin should cede control of the defense to his defensive coordinator. If he won't, again, get someone in here who will. Stop being so stubborn or overly adherent to the way you've always done things. ... For the Pirates, it's easy. Look at the Guardians, Rays and other small-market teams who've had success. You need to field and run the bases better -- controllable things that don't cost money. Draft and develop better. Grow pitching. Make smart trades. And if you have a group that can't do that stuff, like the current one, you need to change until you do.
epiballo
12:25
It's not too early to ask: where do you see the Steelers finishing in the AFC North and will it be good enough to make the playoffs?
Jason Mackey
12:25
It is too early to ask. It's April.
But at least as of now, which I wouldn't put too much stock into, third. And no.
epiballo
12:26
Pickens reportedly 'unfollowed' a Steeler account and the trade rumors swirled up. Something or nothing?
Jason Mackey
12:26
He's done that crap before. I couldn't care less. If it's a second-rounder coming back, I'd probably do it. If it's not, I'd probably stick.
Mike M.
12:26
When should we expect to see a full-strength Pirates lineup? What will the lineup/ pitching rotation look like then?
Jason Mackey
12:27
I think we mostly saw the position player side the past 2 nights. Couple more weeks for Horwitz. Pitching-wise, I don't think we're close with Jones. Falter seems to be fine. It's gonna be a bit for Mayza.
Q
12:27
Could you see the Penguins competing next year? I’m curious if Ville and Rutgers experience this year will help them take the next step next year with the big boys. Also, do you see guys like Pickering and Broz solidifying roles with the main club?
Jason Mackey
12:28
I can, Q. I don't think they should be targeting 2026-27, which is at least how it comes off. If they can get out from under some portion of Karlsson, Jarry & Graves money, plus the $24 million in projected space they already have, they should be enough to address several shortcomings.
Ryan
12:28
Good afternoon Jason what do you think about The Play of Oneil Cruz i think he has looked Good Since his Grand slam Let’s GO BUCS
Jason Mackey
12:31
Good afternoon. Mixed bag, Ryan. But way more good than bad. Home run last night was incredible. Getting thrown out at third when he did, not so much.

I don't understand why people refuse to live in the middle with Cruz. He's a tremendously exciting and talented player. He's also immature or prone to stupid stuff. Not the first, won't be the last.

They need to keep working on his defense in center and situational awareness. I also think it's awesome how his swing decisions and strike-zone discipline have improved, and obviously he has a ton of power.

He should get credit for what he does well, and it's OK to point out where he lacks. It's like people want to believe anyone who says something critical has it out for Oneil. No, both things can be true.
Austin Hedges
12:31
Can you believe I’m still employed in MLB?
Jason Mackey
12:32
I can. Funny, you were viewed as an albatross here. But you've done nothing but win everywhere else. (Translated: You weren't the problem.)
Josh
12:32
Do you see either of the Max Muncy’s hitting over .200 this year?
Jason Mackey
12:32
Ha. Yes. Both of 'em.
Guest
12:32
If the Steelers can afford to give DK $30 million and possibly give TJ more, why can't they afford the $50 million buyout of Tomlin?  Wouldn't ridding yourself of your biggest issue over the past decade be smarter than paying 1-2 players out of 53?
Jason Mackey
12:33
They "can." They don't want to. You'll disagree with that strategy, and that's fine. But I'm answering your question. They think he's a good coach.
Guest
12:33
Tomlin and Deion both have huge egos.  If we were to draft little Deion, think his daddy and Tomlin could coexist?
Jason Mackey
12:34
I do, actually. I don't think Deion would have any issue respecting Mike Tomlin's space. He knows how this works. I don't think he would want to cause problems for his kid.
Guest
12:34
We love bringing in family members and friends.  Do you think Tomlin will sign Dino after the draft?
Jason Mackey
12:35
That might be a tough one to justify.
epiballo
12:35
Jason - thanks for answering my email. I missed your response ... appreciate your time and expertise!
Jason Mackey
12:35
Come on, mail. Check your mail! (Kidding)
Josh
12:35
Do you think the Pens cut ties with Jarry and bring in a free agent veteran? Or cut ties with Jarry & Ned and go with new faces in goal?
Jason Mackey
12:36
I do think they wind up cutting ties with Jarry. Not as sure on Ned. I can see them keeping Ned as insurance. He's a backup, and there's nothing wrong with that. Maybe one of the kids surprises, then they deal him. I don't know. Can play that a little closer to by the ear. But I can't see how they think Jarry should stay here.
demosthenes98
12:36
In professional sports, when a superior team (e.g. the Dodgers) is about to play an inferior team (e.g. the Pirates), does the superior team prepare as if they're facing Just Another Opponent? Or do they sit back and wait for the inferior team to self-defeat, as they inevitably do?
Jason Mackey
12:36
They prepare the same way they normally would.
demosthenes98
12:37
Starting tomorrow, the woebegone Pirates will get to share the field for three games with the great Shohei Ohtani. Do they recognize how fortunate they are that they get to do this? Will they keep in mind that Ohtani is headed for bigger and better things than playing them and pitch to him accordingly? At the very least, will the sentence "Thank you, Mr. Ohtani" cross their lips?
Jason Mackey
12:37
I think they will approach Shohei Ohtani professionally.
demosthenes98
12:37
The Pirates talk about winning in the margins. The Dodgers and Yankees spend big bucks on superstars who hit homers and get strikeouts. In your judgment, which of these is the INFERIOR way to build a WORLD SERIES CHAMPION? Be honest.
Jason Mackey
12:38
I would prefer the Pirates spend more money, absolutely. But it's not impossible to win on a budget (see: Cleveland, Tampa, Oakland, Baltimore). Have to make smarter decisions.
demosthenes98
12:38
It has been said that the job of the newspaper is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. With that in mind, what are you and your colleagues doing to afflict the Pirates' ownership/management group?
Jason Mackey
12:41
We have filed multiple FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests to look into every publicly available piece of their finances. We've hired lawyers to guide us through those investigations. We've dug into real estate and development projects around the ballpark. We've asked the owner why he doesn't spend more, why he continues to own a team, what stops the Pirates from operating like teams in similar markets and a bunch more. We've quoted local politicians and covered discontent on that level. We've written more times than I count that Bob should sell the team.

I know you're using this forum to voice your opinion, and that's fine. You have every right to be ticked off about the Pirates. But you're not going to denigrate me, my coworkers or my employer while you're doing it.
Connecting…