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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 05.24.24
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Jason Mackey
11:53
Hey everyone and welcome to my weekly sports chat. Thanks for stopping by. We'll get started shortly. Get those questions ready.
62 Stack Monster
12:08
Is there a possibility to trade Tellez to some team for "international signing cash" like we did with Ausitn Hedges last year?
Jason Mackey
12:08
And away we go ...
12:09
I don't see how or why another team would give up international bonus pool space. They have to know the Pirates will just DFA Tellez. Someone might take a chance on him if he's on waivers, but I doubt someone would give up an asset -- which is what that is -- to get him.
Anthony
12:09
In your opinion, does a staff overhaul happen if this team only wins less than 76 (regression from last year) or are they still gonna be “checking boxes” as an organization. Our pitching coach position should be heavily enviable and Oscar Marin isn’t it. Neither is Haines. Neither is Shelton. Go Steelers
Jason Mackey
12:10
I think there's nuance there. HOW do they lose fewer than 76? If the offense stinks, yeah, maybe you blow up the hitting group. I would push back against Oscar. I don't think he's the problem. Players also need to execute better. And are young guys developing? I don't know. If they win fewer than 76 and their young guys are getting worse, yeah, that's not good.
Jack
12:10
Why doesn't the Pirate FO care? Why is Rowdy Tellez still here? Why is Aroldis Chapman still pitching in high leverage situations? Then again, outside of Holderman (and Bednar appears to have righted the ship this month) the entire bullpen is awful. How on earth has no one been held accountable and gotten fired!? Make it make sense!
Jason Mackey
12:13
I believe I have frustrated Pirates fan Bingo right here. ... But, hey, I get it. They've underachieved. They should be better. The past two games have sucked. But they're paying Chapman $10.5 million. He should be able to perform in those situations. It's not Shelton's fault that Chapman can't throw strikes. ... Would the entire direction right now be better if they DFA'd Rowdy? I doubt it. I understand why they would and might; he's not hitting, they need more offense, and honestly, if they do it now, someone might claim him. But it doesn't magically fix other problems. Neither does firing everyone.
Ben Cherrington
12:13
Sorry i keep accidentally sending questions, which of the following players get extensions: Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, Oneil Cruz, David Bednar
Jason Mackey
12:14
Maybe nobody, honestly. The Bednar extension talk died with his early-season struggles. I don't know why Skenes and Jones would sign anything given what starting pitchers make on the open market. The Pirates and Cruz have talked and have never gotten anywhere close.
Zack
12:14
What pieces do the Pirates have that they may be willing to sell and have value? Can't say it makes the most sense to trade Bednar now, as I imagine his value has decreased at least a little bit, and the state of the bullpen Holderman, would be about the only reliable arm they have.
Jason Mackey
12:15
Yeah, I wouldn't do that. Might have to be young pitching. They could also part with lower-level prospects. Might look at an Ashcraft, Harrington, Jebb, Mueth ... not precisely those guys but that type -- talented, highly regarded, not knocking on the door.
62 Stack Monster
12:15
Where is Joe Nunnaly these days? What's that you say, Mr Nutting, Joe Nunnaly has left and gone away...
Jason Mackey
12:15
Ha. I don't think he's coaching anywhere, actually. Surprising.
Marcus
12:15
Jason! How soon is Davis back? When he is do they move Bart to 1B? Hitting well but defensively has looked rough recently. When they DFA Rowdy I think he could split time with Joe while learning and DH too if they had three catchers on the roster! What do you think?
Jason Mackey
12:18
Couple items here. For one, Bart has never -- at least to my knowledge -- played first base. But I see Grandal's contract, Bart being halfway decent and Henry tearing it up in Triple-A. I see how you could get there. ... They have pushed back against three catchers before. I tend to agree. But, in this situation, it might be reasonable -- if one of them can be even remotely competent. It doesn't help the Joe platoon much, though, as they're both right-handed (meaning Bart).
Dan N
12:18
Is the fact that Altoona is bereft of talent and Greensboros talent is really struggling somewhat concerning to the building of the Pirates ?
Jason Mackey
12:19
Certainly wish there was more, but I wouldn't call it bereft. What about Ashcraft, Chandler and even Sullivan? Solometo has struggled. I think there's something there with Cheng on the position player side.
Sad Pirates Fan
12:19
If you had to guess the temperature of Shelton's seat, what would you say?
Jason Mackey
12:20
Medium rare?
Ryan
12:20
Good afternoon Jason what do you think about Paul’s start on Friday at Wrigley he looked good and who is the next player called up I’m thinking pegureo
Jason Mackey
12:21
Second part first. I don't see how Peguero would fit. If you have Gonzales (has to keep playing), Cruz, then Hayes theoretically coming back soon, where does Peguero fit? You also might want to get Bae ABs. I think Lamb is more likely based on position and performance.
Matt
12:21
I've generally been against booing your hometown players, though Rowdy is pushing the limits of this stance. I'm curious about how the rest of the team feels about Rowdy's treatment by the fans. Any sense of whether they feel defensive of him, or if they are as tired of his performance as the rest of us?
Jason Mackey
12:22
Honestly, I don't think they would give an honest answer to that. I'm sure they don't want to see him booed and would say that. They also wouldn't rip the fans because ... well, why? Same time, they're not blind. They're aware. He hasn't produced. He's aware he hasn't produced. There's frustration on all sides.
Will
12:22
Love the Rick and Morty kick off!
Jason Mackey
12:22
Ha. It's actually more of a Grateful Dead thing.
Guest
12:22
Hey Jason, this team is and could be much better! It feels like we can’t win for lossing! Almost Everything is out of sync at times…can we reacquire Carlos Santana ? We desperately need a left handed 1st baseman. Are the baseball gods mad at us??? Disgusted fan in woodstock ga! Beat’em zBucs
Jason Mackey
12:24
That would be something, huh? If they somehow traded for Santana? Maybe the Twins would do it.  Should have signed him in the first place. He struggled in April. Has been somewhat better lately. If they could do it, I absolutely would.
Batman for Manager
12:24
Why isn't the focus on winning the game in front of them? What are we saving pitchers in the bullpen for? September when we are 10 games out of a wildcard spot? I think the "cheap" argument is the low hanging fruit. Teams with low payrolls win and teams with high payrolls lose. But we are losing games because we are saving people for games that won't matter because we aren't focused on winning the game that day.
Jason Mackey
12:25
I understand your thought process. I would argue that we don't always know who's healthy and who's not. Though if that's the case, put somebody on the IL. There's a standard of MLB bullpen usage that I don't necessarily agree with ... but it does exist, here and outside of Pittsburgh. I'm curious: Who are you arguing that they (mistakenly) held back? Bednar in game two against the Giants?
Cullen
12:25
Why does Shelton not seem to ever stand up for his guys? Dude has no fire and we would objectively be above .500 if it wasn't for his baffling game management and decisions. I have no confidence that he can lead this team to the playoffs.
Jason Mackey
12:26
I would argue that he does. Almost to a fault. He will rarely give an honest answer about a player's mistake or struggles, always protecting the player. How's he not protecting his guys? Not talking about his game management. Just the assertion that he doesn't protect players.
PrinceBob
12:26
Not that I was ever a huge Antonio Brown fan but it's sad to see that he's blown through $80 million and is broke. It boggles my mind that anyone could do that. Do you think he might try to come back and maybe earn a few million more? He's not that far removed from his last game and not all that old. Would there be some team that might take a chance on him or has he finally burnt one bridge too many?
Jason Mackey
12:27
I could absolutely see him trying -- and it doesn't shock me that he's broke. I also don't really care, except for the fact that there are kids involved, who's been through the drama, crap and silliness and clearly aren't enjoying the financial benefits. Can't see an NFL team welcoming that problem, though. I don't care if he can play or not.
Jack
12:27
Firing everyone may not be a magical fix... but it's clear the current GM, scouts, farm director, manager, coaching staff, etc. are all in over their heads. Firing them and getting people in here who know what they're doing and can actually develop players is a BIG first step toward cleaning up this mess.
Jason Mackey
12:28
Feel however you want, but I wouldn't hold your breath, expecting some sort of massive overhaul at this point.
The Eman
12:28
I understand the reasoning behind PS having a controlled pitch count. However, having a no hitter through six innings - should he have been kept in the game?
Jason Mackey
12:28
Absolutely not. Wasn't going to finish it. Had no issue with that move.
Moonlight Graham
12:28
Are the Pirates serious playoff contenders this year? What will it take to solidify the roster to make it happen?
Jason Mackey
12:29
Not as of now, no. They're not even .500. First step in my mind is the bullpen. You're not going anywhere with a 5.66 ERA out of the 'pen, which is what they've done in May.
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