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Jason Mackey's sports chat 05.31.24
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Jason Mackey
11:49
Hey everyone. Thanks for stopping by my weekly sports chat. ALL OF THEM considered, not just Pirates. We'll get started here shortly.
12:01
And away we go ...
Rich
12:01
its now or never!
the Pirates seem one or two bats away from competing
Jason Mackey
12:02
Hi Rich. I understand the Pirates may need to add, but it's May 31. Where would you add? I think it's OK to wait it out a bit, to see where to go with any additions, and you may be right. But I think it's a bit early still.
Breamsabum
12:03
Are there  any realistic trade partners for the pirates either at first base or in the outfield?
Jason Mackey
12:03
Sure. But I don't see the point in throwing darts and randomly picking teams/players. A bunch would make sense.
Breamsabum
12:03
What names are you hearing for the pirates pick in the mlb draft?
Jason Mackey
12:06
None that they're favoring or targeting. That's not how it's gonna work. Overall, it’s a lot of college guys: Bazzana (Oregon State), Condon (Georgia), Burns and Kurtz (Wake Forest), Wetherholt (WVU), Montgomery (Texas A&M), etc.
Paul
12:06
Jason... I love it here in Pittsburgh. Livy seems to enjoy it as well. I know it's super early, but do you think the Pirates and I will start talking contract extension and make me a Pirate for life. I mean we're seeing guys like Corbin Carroll signing extensions early in their career. Can it happen here?
Jason Mackey
12:07
Glad you're digging it, Paul. But, no. I don't see how that happens here. With what you would make on the open market, I wouldn't do that to yourself. And why would the Pirates pay way more for your lesser-earning years? I just don't see it.
Tom J.
12:07
Hi Jason - I know it's early, but Memorial Day is a line in the sand (so to speak) with the baseball season. I am starting to hear people say that teams that are compared to the Pirates  - Cleveland, Seattle, and yes, Kansas City - are playing pretty good baseball. It might not be fair, but does this put pressure on Ben Cherrington and his scouting team to "make a trade", "make a move" ? Thanks, Jason!
Jason Mackey
12:10
The pressure should be on Cherington to field a winner. I don't care if the players come from the Moon. If they're good, play 'em. That could mean Suwinski & Davis, it could not. I don't understand artificially installing Memorial Day as the time to make trades. I'd argue they need more data, then act accordingly.
Dan N
12:10
You have 25$ million to spend over the winter to make your team competitive…You acquire Chapman Tellez Taylor Perez(injured) Gonzalez(where is he ?)..not exactly a resume builder !
Jason Mackey
12:11
Yeah, it hasn't been a good offseason thus far. Always want to qualify that things can change, but certainly can't say those moves have been positives.
RO
12:13
Mackey do you sense any urgency out of the Pirates front office or is it whatever happens happens?
Jason Mackey
12:15
I think it's somewhere in the middle. Is it as much urgency as the fan base wants? No. They also shouldn't react to everything all the time. They probably would have DFA'd Cutch if that was the case. But I do think there's a desire to win from up top. In other words, regardless of what anyone thinks of Nutting, I think he thinks he's done enough to field a winner. So, those are the expectations. As such, Cherington is expected to field a winner ... and, yeah, in a little bit more, longer than people probably would like, it should lead to urgency.
Curious Bucs Fan
12:16
In Poni's latest twitter poll on a topic to talk about today at 5:30, one of the options is Pirates Trade Rumor, any idea what he is referring to? Thanks
Jason Mackey
12:16
No idea, sorry. But you put Poni together with trade rumor ... not sure of the expected completion percentage, but it can't be good.
Y-town Ralph
12:17
Many people clamoring for Andy Haines to be fired after what Henry and other do at AAA. How much credibility do we put in results achieved against lesser talent at AAA? Haines to blame?
Jason Mackey
12:18
This is not a defense of Andy Haines, but it's not just him. It's an entire philosophy. And, I don't know. We need more data. Here's what I mean:

Henry has been better at Triple-A. He has been better because he reverted back to a few things. Why did he change? Was Andy telling him? Did Henry change? Did bad habits develop? Did Andy urge Henry to stick with his former approach? Did Henry just need to unplug and clear his mind?
So many questions. Look, I get the criticism of the Pirates and what they're doing offensively. But it's not just Haines and the solution isn't always just to fire everyone.
Bill
12:18
Hi Jason, Have you heard any updates on Josh Palacios? He was rehabbing at Bradenton a few weeks back, then I saw a picture of him catching a first pitch at Indy in uniform but hes not playing anywhere. Honestly Bucs could use his power in the OF.
Jason Mackey
12:19
Have not heard anything on Palacios. Since I'm not on the beat anymore, this might just be under my radar. Not sure about needing his bat in the outfield.
Bill
12:19
Any updates on Mike Burrows? Would hope he gets out on rehab sometime soon in June.
Jason Mackey
12:20
That's probably early. I had heard late July/early August. Have not heard that anything in wrong. May just not be ready "soon."
Prince Bob
12:21
Is there a case to be made that including player stats from the Negro Leagues into MLB record books is anything other than virtue signaling? Yes, some Negro League players were excellent and would have had great MLB careers if they'd been able to play and yes, it was an awful wrong that they couldn't play there. But the Negro Leagues drew players from a bit more than 10% of the population. There is no way the depth of talent approached that of the Majors. Given Ty Cobb's racial attitudes there's probably poetic justice that Josh Gibson bumped him from the top of the career batting average list but Cobb had to have faced tougher pitching than Gibson normally did. Why isn't Sadaharu Oh listed as the all time MLB career home run leader? It's because he didn't play in the Majors and that's the case with most Negro League players. They absolutely belong in the Hall of Fame and deserve any accolades they've gotten and yes, not being allowed to play in the Majors was a travesty.
Jason Mackey
12:24
It's a good question, one I actually debated on YouTube with Chris Carter and Paul Zeise. Please check that out when it goes live. But a couple points ...
12:27
It absolutely could be virtue-signaling. MLB put this out during the George Floyd stuff, then what do you do? Go back on it? You can't.

It's also a no-win proposition. If you exclude them, you're criticized for that. If you include them, then there are criticisms like this. I understand both and don't have a magic answer too appease both sides.

I know Negro League players would've played in MLB and accrued those numbers if they were allowed.

There's context required with all stats. Was someone who played in 1897 better than Shohei Ohtani because he had a higher batting average? Of course not. All stats require you to take a critical look at them.
Again, I could keep going, but I think it's a highly debatable topic. I also have other things I need to address in this chat.
Christine Rapp
12:27
If you had to live in a universe from any sitcom (Full House, Modern Family, Married with Children, etc.), which sitcom would you choose to be put into?
Jason Mackey
12:30
Christine, you may have just asked my favorite chat question of all time. Thanks so much. Not Married With Children. They didn't have any food. Not Step by Step. Too many kids. Full House is up there because I love San Francisco. Not sure I could tolerate the sappiness. My leader might be a simpler time: The Wonder Years. Either that or Seinfeld and New York City. Love New York.
Lomez
12:30
Hey Jason ….I don’t understand the position that Cam Hayward has taken with the.Steeler's. I would think that he would have built enough trust and belief in the Rooneys and organization that he this could have been handled quietly and minus the drama   Too much of a distraction with the public posturing
Jason Mackey
12:31
Thank you for the Steelers question, Lomez. And a good one at that. I agree with you -- and maybe this hasn't been talked about enough. I get Cam wanting the security and maybe a raise, though I think it's unrealistic money-wise. I'm really surprised this wasn't done behind the scenes. Would think he has earned that right, to voice his opinion and have it respected.
Jim
12:32
When will the F/O realize a change of the manager is needed and his assistant coaches.  This team is headed no where in the foreseeable future.  I know Nutting is the main culprit but unless the league forces him to sell we are stuck.  Really heartbreaking that the owner has no pride except for making a buck.
Jason Mackey
12:32
I hear this opinion often. I know you're not actually looking for a time/date; you're just looking for a forum to complain. And until they win, it's gonna exist.
Gene
12:32
Why are the Steelers acquiring so many TE’s?
Jason Mackey
12:33
I think it speaks to the relative depth at the position. I also think we're going to see tight ends used differently in Arthur Smith's offense. We're seeing that at OTAs with Pat Freiermuth. Really think Darnell Washington could have a big year as well. But MyCole Pruitt is a depth signing who has experience with Smith. More options.
Harrison Powell
12:33
Is Paul Skenes a top-five pitcher in baseball right now? And gun to your head, do you think he'll ever pitch in a playoff game for the Pirates?
Jason Mackey
12:34
I think it's tough to say something like that after four starts, but I think he will eventually be that, yes. I also think he will pitch in a playoff game for the Pirates, absolutely. Please no gun.
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