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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 05.24.24
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Jason Mackey
12:52
Yeah, this is a fair concern. And I understand yinz being mad. You should be mad. Not sure who it would be in the clubhouse, honestly. Reynolds and Hayes are so quiet. Maybe Cutch? Rowdy is loud, but he's obviously struggling. There's not really anyone else who would say such a thing. I also think that stuff can be overblown. They're pros and know they need to perform. Having someone yell and scream shouldn't change things, but I understand teammates holding each other accountable. Obviously that's not nothing.
Guest
12:52
Bucs need pitching help. Why not give Bauer a shot? He can clearly still pitch. Are their facts that MLB teams have that would prohibit signing him, or is he just that bad of a clubhouse guy?
Jason Mackey
12:53
I think it's the clubhouse perception, but the rotation hasn't been the issue. Can Bauer play first base or hit? That's what they need.
Aaron
12:53
Do you think we see Matt Gorski either soon or if not, at some point this season?
Jason Mackey
12:53
I think we'll see him at some point this season. I'd want to see a larger sample if I was running the Pirates. Wouldn't surprise me if they waited.
My3Sons
12:55
Jason, were you able to see Hedges 3:14? https://twitter.com/i/status/1793380831828008978
Jason Mackey
12:56
Interesting stuff. Had not seen it. Watched about half now. Will check out the rest later. Hedges was brought here to be a good defensive catcher ... and they knew he couldn't hit. He was exactly that. And helped a lot of people. He shouldn't have been as hated as much as he was, IMO.
Will
12:56
Is there enough upside to Tellez to separate him from giving Lamb a shot to slot into 1B platoon?  The modest cost of Tellez is a sunk cost and Lamb continues to hit.  Rowdy should welcome a chance to work out his swing in Indy for a while even if he can opt for FA. Who would take him?
Jason Mackey
12:57
I think someone would take Rowdy for the league minimum at this point. I also think he'll bounce out of this. But the Pirates are kinda stuck. They need to win, and Joe offers them a much better option there. Maybe he platoons with Lamb, maybe not. Doesn't really matter. But Rowdy is never going to find it with sporadic at-bats, and the Pirates don't have the ABs to give anymore.
PrinceBob
12:58
I get why talk of a Bednar extension has died out with the poor early season. But couldn't his struggles strengthen the team's hand and get a much cheaper extension done now especially since he's looked a lot better very recently?
Jason Mackey
12:58
If the Pirates wanted to sign Bednar to an extension, I highly doubt he would let money stand in the way. He wants to be here. I just think he wants it to be marginally close to what he'd otherwise get. And obviously some security in terms of years on the deal.
npc210
12:59
Is there any explanation as to why Bednar wasn't available on Wednesday night with a lead but was less than 24 hours when everyone in the stadium/on TV knew the game was probably already lost? It was just bizarre.
Jason Mackey
1:00
I don't believe so. I was not at the game on Wednesday. Shelton doesn't talk before day games. By postgame yesterday, the line of questioning kinda shoved that one to the side. Sorry.
John
1:00
Does Travis Williams have any say in player personnel? What does he do?
Jason Mackey
1:00
Very little. Travis mostly handles business side stuff. I wouldn't be surprised if they created a more understandable line between him and Cherington. Travis largely allows Ben to oversee all of the baseball aspects of the Pirates. He sticks to business side.
MZ
1:01
You wrote that the Pirates' actions will speak to how serious they are about righting the ship after the SF series meltdown. What actions do you have in mind?
Jason Mackey
1:01
I don't know. Fixing the bullpen. Do you keep giving at-bats to underperforming players? Handling fundamental plays better. What about the hitting coach? I don't think this is close, but if it continues, the manager? Have to do something different, no?
Jack
1:01
So you honestly believe they're content with this and won't fire anyone despite it being year 5 and things trending in the wrong direction? Yikes.
Jason Mackey
1:02
I'm not saying they will or won't do anything. I think they wanna see more sample size. And I think things up until this point have not met expectations. We'll see where they go.
Cullen
1:02
This may be a crazy take considering what Cole became...I think Jones and Especially Skenes have a real shot at being better than Gerrit. Their stuff and ability to be efficient and go deep is already pretty close to Gerrit. What separates them imo is their attitude and mentality. Gerrit hated his time here and always had a foot out the door. He also let little things derail/bother him and ruin his start.(game starting later, guy hits a home run but doesn't jog around the bases quickly enough just to name a couple of instances). Skenes and Jones seem to have the bulldog mentality that is a step above Gerrit, although it is still early to tell. It just feels different, could be the copium though lol
Jason Mackey
1:03
Yeah, I don't know. Skenes has started three times. He's been great. I've loved watching them. But I don't need to have it figured it out whether he and Jones will be better than Cole. They certainly have the ability. We can see that.
npc210
1:03
What is a realistic return date for Henry Davis? I get that he's hitting in AAA but I'd rather be patient with him than rush him back. He's too important.
Jason Mackey
1:03
Yeah, I'm with you. I'm OK if he stays down there for a bit. I wanna learn more about Bart and Grandal. That said, if there becomes a need, I'd be OK with bringing Davis back.
62 Stack Monster
1:06
When was the last time the Pirates had a couple of players who batted over .300 on the team?  I'm guessing going all the way back to Giles?
Jason Mackey
1:06
Oddly, 2019:
Reynolds .314
Newman .308
Jordan
1:06
Is the FO feeling any heat at all?
Jason Mackey
1:07
I think it's feeling frustrated that things have not gone well. What they're going to do about it is obviously different than what fans want them to do.
MZ
1:07
Thanks so much for your excellent coverage. Small sample size, but I really like what I'm seeing of Nick Gonzales so far. Curious your thoughts on him, and also whether you have a read on Liover Peguero's AAA performance and outlook for a promotion.
Jason Mackey
1:07
Thank you. And, yes, he's been excellent. Nick has been much more consistent. Better bat-to-ball production. Don'
't have much of a read on Peguero, honestly. I don't see where he would fit at the moment.
62 Stack Monster
1:08
why subject Skenes and Jones to pitch counts when they will be Yankees or Dodgers in 4 years?
Jason Mackey
1:08
Because you don't want them hurt in two years?
Hot Corner
1:08
Jason Kendall ever been considered for a coaching position in Pittsburgh?
Jason Mackey
1:08
He was an advisor a couple years back, but that was it. Never led to anything permanent.
TellezMustGo
1:08
How much longer do you think will Rowdy stay in the lineup?
Jason Mackey
1:08
He's hardly in the lineup now, which is why I think it's surprising that they're keeping him around.
Sad Pirates Fan
1:08
Saw your comment about playing ball with your son. Sounds like the future of the Pirates is in your hands after all
Jason Mackey
1:09
Ha. Trying. He loves baseball. I have to miss a lot of stuff because of work. I try to be available to him and my older son as much as I can. Not perfect, but I do care and try.
npc210
1:09
Do you get a sense that Bob Nutting and Travis Williams (I know that he's not a baseball guy) are at all upset about what's going on?
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