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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 05.08.25
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Jason Mackey
11:50
Hello, everyone. Welcome to my weekly sports chat. Thanks for finding us. You know the drill. We'll get started in about 10 minutes.
12:05
OK, let's get going ...
John Candelaria Fan Club
12:06
Do you think Bob Nutting would need to sell the Pirates if baseball were to have a floor and cap system? A floor would force the Pirates to significantly increase payroll, which Nutting either does not have the ability to do or the willingness. Could this be why he's never been vocal about the need for a cap? He knows it would come with a floor, and he would be forced to sell because he would be unable to afford the increased payroll.
Jason Mackey
12:07
Not necessarily. Nutting has endorsed one to me, a couple years ago. He would want revamped revenue sharing. Now, a couple of editorial points:
  1. Baseball should have a cap/floor system.
  2. Bob probably should sell in that scenario.
  3. I don't see this actually happening.
12:08
It may be why he hasn't been super vocal. The system still sort of works, though the org maintains that he advocates behind the scenes for stuff. I fail to understand the yes vote.
John Candelaria Fan Club
12:08
I realize the following will not happen. However, I believe the time may be upon us for Pitt to leave the ACC, rejoin the Big East and drop football to FCS. The world of college athletics is heading down a road that you are simply fodder with no legitimate chance of competing for a football or basketball championship unless you are in the Big Ten or SEC. I doubt the ACC would fight Pitt if they would do something like that. Pitt could do everything correct with recruiting and coaching hires and it won't make a difference.
Jason Mackey
12:10
I would have no problem with that. And, yeah, you're right, I'll bet it doesn't happen. That being said, I do think Pitt would comport itself a lot better as an ACC school. I don't think Pitt has come anywhere close to its NIL or sports finance capabilities.
Tom
12:10
Is there any disbelief in you that people even pay attention to the Pirates anymore? Even gimmicky it seems there are better ways to spend money with family.
Jason Mackey
12:10
No, there's not.
Guest
12:10
First off, thank you for answering every question.  I am curious why Tomlin hasn't learned his lesson with wide receivers yet.  We've traded our best WR five times on his watch.  Most people learn their lesson after 1-2 failures.  Yet he still gives them free reign.  Why hasn't he increased accountability and improved the culture?
Jason Mackey
12:12
I mean, they're were gonna have to do something with George, trade or extend him. How would any outcome have displayed Tomlin learning his lesson? Now, I do hear what you're saying. I don't think Tomlin did a good job of handling Pickens. I think he thinks he does a better job handling players by relating to them. I think in some cases he may be right. I think he could also have a tougher hand. I don't know why he didn't take that tack with George.
Guest
12:12
Tomlin is often lauded for reigning in troubled players.  Would you agree he might be one of the worst ever at doing that?  I would argue he enables them more than taming them.  With that being said, why have thete been so many reports for years saying it's a strength, instead of the clear weakness that it is?
Jason Mackey
12:13
I can't answer for unnamed reports and don't really have any interest in doing so. What I've observed is that Tomlin did get a lot out of guys before they kirked out. Now, was that a Band-Aid versus an actual fix? Very possible. He also hasn't been perfect. Also, these are players, stars ... citizens who aren't like the rest of us. They're not circus animals. Tomlin can do his best. They're still going to live life the way they see fit -- and that's not always a good thing.
PODOG
12:13
Jason Nutting shows he doesn't care. He keeps everything the same. Fire the manager or gm. Make a legitimate trade. We the fans deserve more than you will ever give us!
Jason Mackey
12:14
I've never liked Jason Nutting anyway. Fire him into the sun.
Guest
12:14
Nutting gets bashed for being cheap and running a disaster of an organization, and rightfully so in my opinion.  Why does Rooney get the opposite treatment though?  Keeping Tomlin and giving him complete control year after year, especially after over a decade of the same thing, is lunacy.  The Pirates do make changes - they usually don't help, but they try something different.  I believe refusing to try something different is worse.
Jason Mackey
12:15
You think people aren't critical of Art Rooney II right now? Sorry to tell you, but they are. Now, should Art and Bob be traded the same? Hell no, in my opinion. Why? Because Art has had some modicum of success. Sure, you can complain about things getting stale, sticking with Tomlin, the mushy middle, whatever. It's not four winning seasons in 18 years. There's a trophy case, spending on players, etc. Different cases.
Mr Ed
12:15
Although at this point the decision to jettison Cherington and Shelton is likely as plain as the nose on everybody’s face, it still is a major decision to make for Nutting. Do you know if he is the type to keep his own counsel on major decisions or is he more a collaborative type of boss? Maybe consults with Travis Williams, or perhaps a retired baseball exec whose opinion he values, etc.?
Jason Mackey
12:17
Bob surely talks to Travis about this stuff. I don't think Travis will do anything more than agree with Bob. I think this is going to be largely driven by Bob saying enough is enough. He's sick of the Pirates struggling and getting crapped on, and he finally feels like there's been enough of a sample size to do something about it. The question I have is why it's taking so long. Pretty obviously to see.
demosthenes98
12:17
Many thanks to you and your colleagues for everything you do to hold the Pirates' ownership/management group accountable. Disgruntled Pirates fans everywhere appreciate it. Speaking of journalists and fans, how is it that we see the people running the Pirates for what they are while the players and coaches (based on their actions) do not?
Jason Mackey
12:17
How do you know they don't?
demosthenes98
12:17
As the House settlement makes it more expensive to run an NCAA Division I sports program, do you think schools should ask coaches and athletic administrators to take pay cuts (or, if necessary and possible, to impose pay cuts on them)? Not to the point where, say, Pat Narduzzi would need to drive for Uber to make ends meet, but enough to help balance the books?
Jason Mackey
12:19
If they need to, sure. And then those coaches should or could leave if they get better opportunities. But I don't think that's going to solve the problem(s) facing college sports right now. They need contracts for players. Ones with actual ways to lock them in. And similar for coaches, honestly. I'd rather see the NCAA to that and try to create some mechanisms to spur continuity and better regulate NIL.
demosthenes98
12:19
Is it just me, or do MLB pitchers throw a wider variety of pitches than they used to? It seems as if the days of one-pitch relievers and two- or three-pitch starters are at an end.
Jason Mackey
12:20
Anecdotally, I agree with you. I wish we had a way of comparing the total number of pitches -- like pitch arsenals per guy multiplied by the number of MLB pitchers -- we've seen. Has to be an uptick. Maybe I'll look into whether that data exists somewhere.
demosthenes98
12:21
In your opinion, what was the most surprising development in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs?
Jason Mackey
12:21
Probably the Lightning going as quietly as they did. Or Hellebuyck's struggles.
Mr Ed
12:25
What has been more challenging for you, unearthing good substance to write about almost every day as a beat writer or bouncing around between sports and finding good substance four times a week to come up with quality columns?
Jason Mackey
12:46
Sooo ... you've probably seen why I've been MIA. Back now. For a little. Have to also get to PNC Park for Ben Cherington's availability. Will do my best to get through this stuff.
12:47
Bigger challenges has been managing logistics. Not creativity. I can find stories. If anything, this is harder because it's open to all words, and I tend to want to do everything. That's obviously impossible.
epiballo
12:47
Hi Jason! Thanks for the chats! Do you anticipate the Steelers signing one of the 'name' FA WRs that are still out there? Some act as though the whole Steeler season hinged on George Pickens. Wish him well in Dallas, but I am not unhappy they traded him.
Jason Mackey
12:47
I don't blame you for that reaction. Yes, I would imagine they have some sort of plan here -- Lazard, Cooper, whatever. There are some guys out there. Have to get one of them. Otherwise they're just back to square one.
epiballo
12:47
It is early, but from what you know/think, which QBs coming out in next year's draft appear to be as much a 'sure fire' pick as can be thought now. How high would the Steelers have to trade up to grab one?
Jason Mackey
12:48
You're way ahead of me. I like Arch and Allar. No idea on how far they'd have to move up. I'm also more worried surviving May at this point, sorry.
epiballo
12:48
Some wondered how the Mike Sullivan departure would affect Sidney Crosby's thoughts on finishing his career here. Any validity to this, or is he a Penguin for life?
Jason Mackey
12:57
I still think he's a Penguin. He gets so angry when it's even brought up. I really have a hard time seeing that change.
epiballo
12:57
Age comes to all athletes not named Brady, and many fans want Malkin and LeTang to be gone. Yes, their production has fallen, but how do they compare with other players at their positions? Any bang left in the bucks?
Jason Mackey
12:59
it's a good question. Unfortunately it's just not something I'm able to dig deep enough into right now. I'm sorry.
1:02
OK, folks. This is gonna be a tough one. Hoping on YouTube now. Will do my best to get to these. But obviously the day just kinda changed on me.
epiballo
1:34
Has the Pirates total lack of offensive production started to affect the starting pitching? Surely it must weigh on them to know that, before the first pitch, they have no margin for error. And even it they pitch lights out, they still don't get a win.
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