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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 06.07.24
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Jason Mackey
11:41
Hey everyone. Welcome to my weekly chat. Thanks for stopping by. We'll get started at noon but feel free to fire away now.
11:59
Alright. Let's do this.
Tony
12:00
Who is starting on Saturday? Luis Ortiz or Bullpen Game?
Jason Mackey
12:01
We have nothing confirmed, but neither would shock me. Ha. Meaning if they went with a bullpen game and Ortiz started it. Tough spot. Priester on the IL. Perez not ready. Don't really have anything in Triple-A.
Trex
12:01
Do you think the pirates will make the playoffs? In your honest opinion
Jason Mackey
12:01
No, I don't. I think they will come up short. Not by a ton.
Guest
12:01
Do you see the pirates calling about luis Robert jr?
Jason Mackey
12:02
Calling? Yes. Landing. No. You call about a lot of guys. They need offense. But I think the ask will be prohibitive.
Tom J.
12:02
Jason - Loved your article and title you are giving Pirates pitchers, "Allegheny Electric Company". Great name and article. Reminds me of 2011 and 2012, when they were getting so close and then in 2013....  It is encouraging.  Thanks, Jason. - Tom
Jason Mackey
12:02
Thanks, Tom. But I'm not taking credit for it. There are T-shirts with that printed: https://rotowear.com/products/allegheny-electric-company-shirt
Cullen B
12:02
Should/Would the Pirates consider trading Falter for an impact bat or two with some control? His numbers this year are far and away better than his career averages and he seems to have found something in Pittsburgh but baseball is fickle and he could regress easily. The Pirates already have Skenes/Keller/Jones and have some Pitching depth at AAA and some guys coming back from TJ. Unless Falter has little to no value where it doesnt make sense, this would be a good move in my opinion.
Jason Mackey
12:03
I would be surprised. Can never say for sure, but I'd argue they need pitching more. If you go back and look, their offense over the past month or so -- basically since Gonzales & Skenes arrived -- hasn't been terrible. Their starting pitching thins out fast.
Pirates123
12:03
I love Oneil Cruz. He brings all the elements but at some point it has to click and come all together right? I’m not asking for anything crazy but he has 4 hits in 3 games this month. 2 XBH’s. The 462 ft bomb last night was encouraging but this can’t just be a 10 game hot stretch then a 15 game cold spell. They need him to be the X-factor Because the NLC is wide open.
Jason Mackey
12:04
Yeah, I mean, if someone could snap their fingers and make him more consistent, I'm sure they would. That said, I'm not turning down what he brings. I agree he needs to be more consistent, but sometimes that takes time.
DaquidoBazzini
12:04
Hi Jason…Where do you think the Pirates would need to be towards the trading deadline to add some offense to this team?
Jason Mackey
12:05
It might be overly simplistic but within striking distance of a playoff spot. One of those things where I think you know when you know.
PhilinCT
12:05
Mr Mackey, thank you as always for feeding the Pittsburgh sports fans with your writing. Will JPJ be able to take the next step with his current secondary mates (i.e. will opposing QBs throw away from him)?
Jason Mackey
12:06
Appreciate the non-Pirates question. And, of course. I love my job. ... I do. I think JPJ is poised for a very big year. Not sure what will happen with Donte Jackson. Can't say I'm crazy confident at this point. Regardless of how you see his off-field stuff, Cam Sutton will help on the field, in the slot. But I like the maturity I've seen from JPJ.
Anthony
12:06
What do you think will be the inning limits for Skenes and Jones? I was guessing in the 140s
Jason Mackey
12:07
Yeah, about there. You can look at last season and add 20-30. I would be surprised if they went much higher after what happened to Oviedo last year.
Cullen B
12:07
Reynolds has been worth -7 OOA so far this year in RF/LF, his arm has caught a few guys running but he seems to have regressed in the last few years overall. I saw he was getting some work at 1B. In the offseason might the Pirates consider moving him to 1B to be the long term answer there? This could open up OF spots for more young, athletic guys who might be moving off the dirt anyway, or are in a logjam in their natural positon. (Cruz, Davis, Peggy, Endy, etc). Would also be able to take advantage of Cruz, Davis, Endy's arm with the bonus of more positional flexibility which the Pirates love. Reynolds could still fill in in the OF but could focus more on his bat, which is his main source of value. This was successfully done recently with Harper and Bell was able to transition here so there is some history.
Jason Mackey
12:08
Yeah, I wouldn't be against it ... and they could give it a shot. But it has to not suck, right? I can't say I've seen anything work-wise. Not around as much as I used to be as a beat guy. Just depends on whether he can actually field the position, but it's not the worst idea.
Andrew
12:09
Hey Jason are the Pirates preparing to make any sort of trade? This team could very easily compete with a couple more pieces.
Jason Mackey
12:09
Umm, preparing makes it sound like right now. So, no. But is it a trade something they'll consider? Like a trade to fix an area of weakness? Yes.
Mark Madden
12:09
Jordan, my Twitter got hacked! What should I do?
Jason Mackey
12:10
Jordan! Jordan Mackey.
Bucco71
12:10
Gavin Sheets for a lottery ticket.  Lefty bat currently in a pitcher friendly ballpark.  Could be a low cost upgrade at 1B/RF/DH?
Jason Mackey
12:11
We're at the Make Up Random Trades portion of the season, I see. (Don't hate it, for the record.)
Edward
12:11
Maybe this question should be sent to a different reporter at the PG, but…could the city potentially not renew the stadium lease with the Pirates? It seems like everyone had bigger hopes for downtown foot traffic when the stadium was built and that hasn’t happened to expectation, due to the team’s struggles and frugality of ownership. I’d be for it. Sure, it’s be terrible to not have baseball.
Jason Mackey
12:11
I don't think that's even remotely possible.
Will
12:11
One could make the case that the latter half of a 1 run game could be considered 'high leverage'. Why would Shelton leave Heller on the hill showing absolutely nothing to absorb a 5 run beatdown and put the game out of reach? Pirate bullpen has not been overly taxed. I get providing opportunities, but I don't get the long leash, especially for pitchers who haven't earned it.
Jason Mackey
12:17
Or Ben Heller could pitch better. That's an option. It's also tough with Priester going on the IL. They need to cover innings tonight, too. Heller had to pitch somewhere. I get the frustrated, but I'd argue that the issue is larger than Shelton. Would did you want him to put in there?
Mia
12:17
Happy Friday Jason.  I’ve seen Russell Wilson make numerous public appearances such as Kennywood and a Pirates’game.  I’m curious if you know if he’s doing this on his own or is being directed to do so by the front office.  Thanks!
Jason Mackey
12:19
Honestly, I don't know. I doubt it's an either/or. Wilson loves baseball, so that might be different. But a lot of times players and teams will work together on what they do. Wilson seems to be really embracing Pittsburgh, and this has been a way to do that. Also think it was more of a team outing at Kennywood. But I think if guys are comfortable doing more or less, it can be handled with communication and understanding.
Will
12:19
Skenes vs top of Dodgers line up was electric. The 2nd time through was also a good reality check about how hard it is to dominate at this level. Even watching on small screen the crowd looked jacked
Jason Mackey
12:19
Yes. On all point.
Edward
12:19
accidentally hit return. It would stink to not have baseball. But we could get a committed owner eventually. Who wouldn’t want to play at PNC Park with our fan base? And what other city would want Bob Nutting? I can’t do another 20 years of his ownership. Thanks!
Jason Mackey
12:20
I understand the frustration over ownership. The city is going to get rid of the Pirates. I would also be surprised if city officials ever did anything to try and take the Pirates away from Nutting. Covered that a few years ago with former mayor Bill Peduto: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2019/10/17/bill-peduto-pit...
Guest
12:20
Do the Pirates get a pitcher (Keller,Skenes) on the NL All-Star team or do they go with a Joe, Reynolds, or dare I say, Cruz?
Jason Mackey
12:21
Oh, I definitely think it'll be a pitcher. Or two.
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