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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 05.03.24
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Jason Mackey
12:24
Whew, boy. Getting worse by the day. Ha. ... I think what they're being asked to do is nearly outside the realm of human capabilities. Too much velo and spin. I don't blame (most of) them for the struggles. That said, I wish they would install a challenge system immediately. I don't think they need to go full robo umps. But the challenge system is fun and generally doesn't hold up the game.
Ryan
12:24
I Still believe in these Buccos and it looks like we are 1-2 power bats away from being contenders. Any chance we could trade for Alex Kiriloff?
Jason Mackey
12:25
You might be the one person in the city right now who feels that way. Or at least that's how it seems. I like Kirilloff. But why would the Twins trade him?
Tom J.
12:25
Great job on the new gig! Love your columns.
Jason Mackey
12:25
Thanks so much, Tom!
Cullen
12:25
Should the Pirates pivot their thinking to trading for a big bat instead of pitching at the deadline? I know Ben Cherington said he wants 10 guys capable of starting but right now the depth looks fine, although that can change in a hurry. Our bats seem to be a much bigger concern and we still haven't resolved the first base situation.
Jason Mackey
12:26
I'm not thinking about the deadline, man. Guarantee they're not either. That's a long ways away in baseball terms. If the recent stuff continues, they're not going to be trading for anything other than prospects.
Paul
12:26
Will I be pitching in Pittsburgh next Friday night? Also will I see you there?
Jason Mackey
12:27
There's plenty of smoke around you being there. I will definitely be there, whether you pitch or not.
Brendan
12:27
Hi Jason, hope you’re well. In your opinion, what would have to happen this season for Cherington to be fired? 100 losses?
Jason Mackey
12:28
I don't know even know if that would do it, to be honest. I guess a complete failure at all levels of the organization? Would be a lot to start over completely. I think folks do need to take at least a half-step back right now from the Fire Everyone stuff.
david--
12:28
Jason, Do you have many off the record conversations with players or team personnel? (all sports)
Jason Mackey
12:29
Yes. That's sort of the point of the job. Although pretty much all of mine right now are baseball-related. I haven't been around the other sports enough to gain that type of traction. I will in time. The more you're around, home and road, the more that stuff grows.
Ryan
12:29
Do you see any roster moves being announced before the 10 game homestand tonight? Gonzales and Bae are both playing very well and we could use both of them right now.
Jason Mackey
12:30
I would be surprised. They both played last night. Normally they would be out of the lineup and not traveling today, if they could avoid it.
Cullen
12:30
Jack is walking at his career pace, has cut strikeouts nearly in half, and is hitting the ball about as hard as ever. His BABIP is nearly 100 points lower than last year as well. He definitely could be more aggressive at the plate, especially on first pitches and those down the middle but his underlying stats seem to suggest things could turn around with a larger sample? Or am I just to high on hopium
Jason Mackey
12:31
I don't think you're completely off-base. But anecdotally, I haven't looked at Jack and said, "Man, it's nothing but bad luck here." I think it's probably a combination of both. He also has games where he looks competent and unlucky, then others where he looks lost.
Your Name
12:31
When will Skenes get here? Will media revolt against the Pirates ever? I have only heard light criticism from the media regarding Skenes staying in AAA
Jason Mackey
12:33
May 10 is my prediction. Will media revolt against the Pirates ever? Huh? We've written two columns saying he should be up that minute. Also, it's baseball normal to only jump 20 or so innings per year. That puts Paul in the 150 range. If he was up here early, that would mean a shutdown late. If they slow play him getting here, that tamps down the possibility of a shutdown. You can hate that thinking. I do, to a degree. But that's not unique to the Pirates.
Zach
12:33
Jason, could you not find one person in all of WV to say something negative about me?  I loved the article, but it's a lot to live up to.  To be brutally honest, I recall stealing a couple Twinkies and some chocolate milk in the 3rd grade from a couple smaller kids.  But I did feel bad about it after the fact.
Jason Mackey
12:33
I'm glad you liked the article. Not sure how else to respond to this.
Nick
12:33
Two questions in one: 1. What callup do you think is most realistic? 2. What callup do you think is most needed?
Jason Mackey
12:34
  1. Any
  2. Every
Ryan
12:34
Good afternoon Jason today is a Three Part Question For Me What do You Think About the play of Joey Bart i think he has looked Great what do you think about the Steelers Draft class i like it because of Troy and Frazier and what do you think about the play of Jared Jones he has looked good so far
Jason Mackey
12:36
Joey Bart has been a pleasant surprise, honestly. Looks like the change of scenery has really helped. Have liked the pop. He has worked well with pitchers. They seem to really like him. ... This is the best Steelers draft I can remember, honestly. They got quality, high-character players. I think they also got value when looking at pick number and addressed key needs. ... Jones has been their best player, plain and simple. And I still don't think he's scratching the surface of what he could be.
Guest
12:36
How much longer can the pirates philosophy in hitting stay the same without results until changes are made? Either with firing or a re-evaluation in the philosophy.
Jason Mackey
12:37
I don't think we're within firing range, but I would really hope they're taking steps to adjust the philosophy. I know it's pie-in-the-sky stuff, but I wish they would just wipe the slate clean for three games. "Guys, do whatever the hell you want, then we'll re-evaluate." I know that's unrealistic, but they need to tweak some stuff.
Joey Clemente
12:37
hearing anything on bae, gonzales, or Grandal coming up? I figured we’d see at least one today
Jason Mackey
12:37
Again, I think we would have heard that by now.
guest
12:37
I'm guessing that you're getting a lot of these...but...

Lamb 1.094
Bae 1.059
Gonzales 1.028
McKinney .825
Peguero .817

Yes, it's AAA, but what are the Pirates waiting for? Shouldn't they try something new instead of a bunch of sub-.600 OPS players?
Jason Mackey
12:38
I know. I don't harbor some insane belief that Jake Lamb or Nick Gonzales will save the season. But they would be well within their rights to change a couple things. Has been plenty long enough.
Ryan
12:38
Which Pirates player has a really good  10 game homestand? I am going with Cruz and Henry
Jason Mackey
12:38
Man, that's one heck of a bet right there. ... I'll go with Suwinski.
Tristan
12:38
Jason, Kyle and Sully saying nice things about me is Professional Sports Team Management 101, no?  They cannot say I'm an inconsistent head case if they are looking to get something in return.  Even I realize that...
Jason Mackey
12:38
Yes, I wrote a column on that general idea. Of course they're not going to bash Tristan. I still think it's that or Karlsson for the Penguins to make a move.
Chris
12:39
Pirates seriously making NO roster moves before the game tonight??? Is Cherington clueless or just stubborn. At a minimum they should swap Davis for Grandal and Triolo for Gonzo. Would DFA Rowdy and bring up Lamb as well.
Jason Mackey
12:39
That's what it looks like. I wouldn't DFA Rowdy, but I agree with the other two.
Guest
12:39
Does Don Kelly get poached to manage another club or will the Pirates promote him after another failed year of Sheltonball?
Jason Mackey
12:40
Don't know, honestly. Depends a lot on this year. If the Pirates win, I can see Donny getting poached. If things go horribly wrong here, I could also see him taking over for Shelton, should the Pirates make that move.
Ryan
12:40
Prediction when we will see Skenes make his PNC Park debut/MLB debut?
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