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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 04.26.24
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Jason Mackey
11:50
Hey, everyone. Welcome to my weekly chat. Thanks for stopping by. Sorry for the late notice, but we will get started here shortly.
12:03
OK, little Jerry Garcia Band on the headphones, let's get going ...
Marty
12:03
Hey Jason, do you think Chapman is moved out of the 8th inning role? At least for now? When do we see Mlodzinski re-join the bullpen? Think he’d provide a nice shot in the arm
Jason Mackey
12:04
I wouldn't be surprised if you see Carmen tonight in San Fran. It's time. ... As for moving Chapman, I'm not sure we're there. He makes $10.5 million. You wanna try and get that value back. Maybe they play matchups a little more, but I think you just ride it out. He'll find it eventually, but it hasn't been good lately.
PrinceBob
12:05
We know that statistics show that a pitcher's Batting Average Against normally goes up on his third time through the line up and is not infrequently taken out at that point. But do teams compare the BAA of the relief pitcher coming into the game with the BAA of the starter being replaced, e.g., if Bailey Falter is replaced by "Someone" for that third go round is Someone's" BAA nearly always better than Falter's would be if he was left in?
Jason Mackey
12:07
Yes, it all kinds of goes into a pitching-decision stew. That said, it should never be just numbers. They should be looking at how the stuff plays in that moment, which they can analyze a variety of ways. I also think you need to take into account age of the pitcher, miles on the arm, future, things like that. Then there's score/situation, who's rested, place of off days, how a reliever might be going. ... Anyway, just a way of saying that, yes, they cross-reference things. But it's not all that goes into the decision.
Dave
12:07
If either of those two centers are there @ 51....why on earth would't we snag them.....
Jason Mackey
12:07
I would be stunned if they didn't. Agree with you -- how can you not? That said, they're both projected as top-40 guys. Don't love the possibility of either being around at 51. Might have to trade up.
PrinceBob
12:09
Is it dead certain that the Athletics are headed to Las Vegas? I know there's a ballot question in Vegas that would allow the county to use public money to build the stadium and at the moment it looks like it will fail. Assuming it does fail, is it likely that another, maybe back door, way to get public money for the stadium will be found or is it still possible the A's will stay in either Oakland or Sacramento? And speaking of Sacramento, will the AAA team now using that stadium move somewhere or will they share the stadium with the A's?
Jason Mackey
12:11
Lemme work backward on that. Yes, they will share the facility starting in '25, for I believe 3 years. Gonna be weird. Don't know how I feel about it, honestly. ... Furthermore, this might be anecdotal or opinion-based on my end, but I don't see how the A's remain in Oakland at this point. Right or wrong, there's so much allure in Vegas. We've seen it with the Knights and Raiders; it's a wonder leagues didn't do this sooner. I know there are some political hail marys available, but I also think they're pretty far down the road at this point.
Bryce
12:18
Any rumblings or validity to FSG looking to sell the Penguins? I think it was reported from Pagnotta that they were quietly gauging the market.
Jason Mackey
12:19
Umm, no. Have not heard that one. Had to Google it and find a Reddit thread to see where I think you got that. But, no, I have heard nothing of FSG trying to get out.
Jolly roger
12:19
Rowdy has been awful.  Isn’t hitting and his recent D is bad too.  How long is his leash?
Jason Mackey
12:20
Longer than current, I know that. I agree, it hasn't been great. It's also still April. I do believe it is in there with Rowdy. I've watched him a lot, and what he's doing is not translating into games. I also understand that if it does not eventually, the Pirates can and will take action. But I don't think we're at that point yet. Cherington has typically described a quarter season before approaching any conclusions. That's the first threshold, IMO.
Nate
12:20
Jason, what do you do with Henry Davis? He has played good defense and his bat has been awful? Do you ride through it with hopefully him figuring it out?
Jason Mackey
12:21
You have to send him down. Pretty simple, honestly. Grandal is under contract. Bart is out of options and has produced. I don't like carrying three catchers, personally. Henry hasn't been hitting and could probably use the reset.
PrinceBob
12:25
Why do professional sports that have salary caps need to have drafts? Originally drafts were to keep really successful teams that made loads more money than unsuccessful ones from offering blue chip prospects more money than unsuccessful ones did. But with salary caps there would be a restriction on what a particular team could offer. I think doing it this way goes a long way to solving the problem of tanking.
Jason Mackey
12:27
Interesting thought. So, what would you propose?  College players can sign with anyone they want? Teams can sign whomever and how many they want? I feel like a draft exists to ensure parity. Not so much in baseball, where the development period is much longer. But in the NFL, you can fairly quickly rebuild through the draft. In your system, the means of fixing problems would be much different. Not sure I like it.
62 Stack Monster
12:27
I was surprised that Fautanu was there at 20.  They need a center and I am fairly certain they will choose one at 51.  I'm hoping it's Zach Frazier.  The tenacity combined with the wrestling background is intriguing ala Carlton Haselrig.
Jason Mackey
12:28
I agree completely with you. On all points. I did not think Fautanu would be around. Ditto for several of their top options, honestly. No issue with the pick. But I do think they need to come out of this draft with a plug-and-play center. I doubt whether Frazier will last until 51; that's several spots below most projections. But we'll see. Wouldn't be against trading up to get him.
We're light on questions this week, folks. If you're holding back for some reason ... don't.
62 Stack Monster
12:39
Regarding the early question about Las Vegas and the As, I am relieved that Nutting didn't get a chance to move there.  I know you believe that the Pirates will stay put, but, if Salt Lake City or Charlotte come a calling, does Nutting move the team?  (Especially if there is a lot of ca$h involved.)
Jason Mackey
12:41
I don't think so. For better or worse -- and I know many will tell me worse -- I think Bob wants to keep owning this team, in this city. Shoot, he could make a ginormous profit in about 5 minutes right now if he decided to sell. Yet he's not doing that. I've asked him why he continues to own a team, and his answer has been essentially that he wants to keep it in his family & he thinks the Pirates can win here. I'm aware people will say something like BS or "act like it," but I'm just trying to answer the question on whether I think he would be interested in moving to those cities.
TomB
12:42
Do you know why Steeler have 51 in Second Round vs 52=20+32? Thanks!
Jason Mackey
12:43
I had to phone a friend on this one, Tom. Nice work. I consulted with Dr. Brian Batko, and he told me that when teams tie in the standings, they alternate in the later rounds. "For instance, they have 84 in round three instead of 83." Brian will be here all week (and many weeks beyond that). Make sure you tip him well.
Andy
12:43
Over the course of this Pirates season do you believe the organization will be fairly aggressive in sending guys down to Indy and bringing up guys like Gonzales and Peguero?  Those guys feel somewhat interchangeable with Triolo, Alika, etc.  Feels like they should be more open to movement in the organization.
Jason Mackey
12:45
Ummm ... I don't think they should have a blanket speed for this stuff. I think there are times to ride it out. Triolo would be one. Great defensively, so-so with the bat, but I'm nowhere near thinking about sending him down. Gonzales has been hitting. I might try to get him up here soon. He has also had several chances before, so if he has to wait a bit, I'm not going to freak out over it. They might get to a point where they need to make a decision with Rowdy. Perhaps that begets something. I don't know. Alika has been perfectly fine for his role, honestly.
62 Stack Monster
12:45
Will Caleb Williams be the Steelers starting QB in 2028?
Jason Mackey
12:45
No.
Bill
12:45
skenes arrival date
Jason Mackey
12:46
If I had to pick a date at this point, I'm going Friday, May 10 at home against the Cubs.
TomB
12:46
Were you surprised Mims selected before Fautamu?
Jason Mackey
12:46
I was. Very much so. I was similarly surprised at the amount of talent still there when the Steelers took Fautanu. That, combined with them not trading back, I think tells you a lot when it comes to how they feel about him.
Matt
12:46
Thoughts on Dave Matthews Band getting in the Rock Hall?
Jason Mackey
12:48
I mean, is there someone out there who thinks it's undeserved? Whether you like or hate Dave -- I happen to be a big DMB fan -- not sure you can argue with the talent, popularity or longevity. I much prefer earlier Dave than later, and thank you for nudging me to listen to more of it.
TomB
12:48
Tech issues? Nothing for 10 minutes.
Jason Mackey
12:49
I'm sorry. No tech issues, no.
Steve
12:49
Should the pens rip the band aid off at this point and consider trading anyone except Crosby? Ie Malkin, letting, karlsson included
Jason Mackey
12:51
Yes, I think so. Maybe an under-discussed storyline. They have to do SOMETHING, I would argue. It's not going to be Sid. So, what then? Malkin? Jarry? Karlsson? Letang? ... They need cap space. They also need more forward depth. Personally, I would explore trades for Jarry or Karlsson. I think you could replace Jarry's production for cheaper. I also don't see them getting ROI with Karlsson's cap hit. That said, it's a really hard contract to move. But wouldn't be against doing something sizable there.
Bob
12:51
The Pirates signed Tellez atter he hit below .220 the last 2 years and has a history of below average defense. They signed Chapman after his walk rate ballooned to an unacceptable 6.1 per 9 innings over the past 3 years. Do the Pirates really expect these players to perform at a higher level than they've been capable of the past few years?
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