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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 07.12.24
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Jason Mackey
12:23
Yeah, could be. I think that's entirely possible. They need to improve their team in a few areas. I know that's a vague and frustrating answer. But it's not always one or the other.
wallace82@comcast.net
12:25
How many total runs have the Pirates scored in starts by Perez
Jason Mackey
12:27
FanGraphs tells me 27 (3.31 per nine).
YinzerTom in NC
12:27
Jason, appreciate the chats. Always. Even when you disagree with me. A couple questions? Are you NOW finally coming around to the PBC locking up Skenes in a long term deal? I mean 185-200M 10 years from now feels like a good deal both sides of the table. If it works for Pirates I’m nutting spending makes it up in other ways. So does Skenes. If the fear of what if he breaks down? It’s the same thing as we have since 1992? Second question? Draft on Sunday. Trey Yesavich ECU Pirate. If he is there at 10 how do they say no. P does not grow on trees. Thank you!
Jason Mackey
12:29
I was never against it, Tom. I would love to see Skenes say. I just thought it was completely absurd and impossible ... which is still might be. But I thought more about it and deciding to write what was in my brain. I get the concerns on both sides, believe me. And they may be prohibitive. I don't think it's as outright crazy as I used to, though.
12:30
Easy to say no, Tom. There are players plenty of services -- and one would think the Pirates, too -- rank higher. Doesn't always have to be pitching. Honestly, they're in halfway decent shape with pitching. Could use some bats.
wallace82@comcast.net
12:30
Has a 6 man rotation ever worked,over a period of time?
Jason Mackey
12:31
It's tough to do if you've got established arms/veterans. But with Skenes, Jones, Ortiz, even Falter ... innings concerns ... I think it would be just fine. A few of those guys aren't far removed from more spaced out starts.
Guest
12:31
Do you see the Pirates landing a bat of note?  Ward, Jazz, Robert, etc?  Feel like landing a guy with a year or two of control after this year would be a good move regardless of how they finish the season.
Jason Mackey
12:31
I'd put Ward atop that list. Would love Robert. Don't see that as likely. Jazz seems like the biggest stretch of the three. But, yeah, I do think they end up doing something to land an OF bat.
Ryan
12:31
Good afternoon Jason When do You Think Borucki And Bednar come back i think Borucki comes Back This series And Bednar Next Friday Go Bucs this weekend in Chicago
Jason Mackey
12:32
Good afternoon, Ryan. Wouldn't surprise me if they both came back for this one, honestly. Think our Noah Hiles reported that Brent Honeywell Jr. had been DFA'd. That's likely opening up space for one of them.
The Eman
12:32
Interesting article in Bleacher Report today doubting the value of “Saving” arms by having an inning limit early in a career. As a former player, what’s your take on this??
Jason Mackey
12:33
Hold tight, gang. Have to knock out a radio hit real quick. Will be back in 10.
12:43
OK, I'm back ... I don't love it. I didn't read the article, so I can't comment directly on it. But I think by and large, teams over worry about this stuff and create problems. One thing I like about Skenes: His routine is big on activity. Throwing various ways. It's intense. There's nothing that guarantees you against injury, obviously. But he controls everything he can.
epiballo
12:43
Given the Penguin offseason 'moves,' do you see and reason for hope that Pens' fans won't be sweating out every end-of-the-season point to try to grab the last playoff spot?
Jason Mackey
12:45
I think it's possible. Not saying it's likely. But they have guys who have done things. Could Karlsson and Graves bounce back? Maybe. Jarry, same deal. I think Rakell was better late. I liked the Bunting add. I feel like O'Connor really matured last season. Again, I don't agree with the idea that this team is dead in the water to start.
Sammy Khalifa
12:46
The Pirates can’t possibly revamp their subpar offense with just a nip & a tuck.  Doesn’t it make sense just to trade for one legit OF power bat & cross our fingers we get occasional/sporadic HRs to win close games?
Jason Mackey
12:46
I hope/think they will improve their offense with a bat in the outfield. Not saying it's going to be Luis Robert Jr. But I do think they will do something there.
epiballo
12:46
Do you see Connor McDavid being the 'Dan Marino' of the NHL? Great career and talent, but no championship rings.
Jason Mackey
12:47
No, I don't. There's too much around him in Edmonton. And look what McDavid did in the postseason. Nah, I think he'll get his ring. Probably in short order.
Alex
12:47
Have you heard of the Pirates specifically targeting anyone in particular for the draft?  I would love for Chase Burns to fall to them, but it seems increasingly unlikely.
Jason Mackey
12:48
I started on the beat in 2019. The next time I hear of them "targeting someone in the draft" will be the first. They have options. Guys who make sense. But I wouldn't say there's one golden name that floats out there that they're "targeting." Even if it does come out, I've learned to believe little of the nonsense that gets floated this time of year.
epiballo
12:48
What do you make of the report that Nutting spoke of flexibility to add to the team publicly, but told Cherrington and the staff that no money is available for acquisitions?
Jason Mackey
12:49
That's not the impression I had of things. Bob talked in January about wanting to see more. I believe there's a desire there. It's not the intel I've gotten that Ben has been limited in what he can do.
Johnny Ray
12:49
Tell me I am wrong:  on Sunday Pirates draft Kurtz or Montgomery if either falls to them.  Otherwise they take a more MLB-ready college bat like Tibbs over potential longer term upside in Griffin/Rainer?
Jason Mackey
12:49
I'd be thrilled with that. Especially Kurtz.
Alex
12:50
Do you think that if the Marlins didn't have a rash of pitching injuries in spring Edward Cabrera would be a Pirate right now.  I know you never reported specific names but it really felt like that was on the verge and then they had 2-3 pitchers get hurt in like a 72 hour span.
Jason Mackey
12:50
Very possibly, yes. That affected things. I know a deal was discussed and got fairly far down the line. Hence why I wrote what I did. ... Can't say that it would have gotten across the finish line, but there was interest on both sides before the injuries.
Andrew H.
12:50
why was Pitt football afraid to sell WVU as a stand alone? Do they really think it would have been 90% away fans. Really sad to see this
Jason Mackey
12:52
Can't speak to Pitt's intent, as I don't have direct knowledge. But I would expect either way to see a bunch of WVU fans. Short drive. Passionate fan base. Solid team. Pitt's also coming off a bad year. Would just be the reality of the thing -- WVU fans showing up for the Backyard Brawl. I remember going back at Three Rivers and see WVU fans. Part of the thing.
PrinceBob
12:52
I'll bet I;m one of the only people today who'll want to talk about Skenes (make sure your sarcasm detector is plugged in.) Maybe it's my age but no hitters are among the most special things that can happen in a baseball game. Twice pulling a pitcher who's in the late stages of one is just wrong and I almost but not quite found myself wishing the bullpen would blow the lead.. I get wanting to preserve his arm, so limit him to 60 pitches in his next outing. Or push his next outing back a couple games. Or skip the next outing altogether. To make this into a question, does Shelton have complete control over this sort of decision or could it be that he wouldn't be allowed to have extended Skenes much beyond 100 pitches no matter what was going on?
Jason Mackey
12:54
Don't blame you for being upset. And, bluntly, yes. Shelton has the final call. He's the manager. Now, is he going to seek input from fellow coaches, Paul, analytics, etc.? Yeah, of course he is. And do they have to weigh the future with someone like Skenes? Definitely. I understand not liking it. I don't love it. But it's not just a Pirates thing. That's the sport anymore. The changes haven't been for the better, either.
Wayward
12:54
Jason, given that the hockey offseason has cranked up what do you think about the Metro division teams have done and were do the Pens stack up as of now?
Jason Mackey
12:57
Oooh ... like what the Caps have done. Not so much with the Canes, losing a lot in Raleigh. Jake, Noesen, Teravainen, etc. Rangers, doesn't much matter. Not sure Philly or Columbus did anything to jump over the Penguins. Like the Devils offseason quite a bit, too. They fixed a couple of keys spots with Pesce, Markstrom, Tatar, etc. Penguins probably ... I don't know, 5th or 6th?
epiballo
12:57
Just saw that Skenes was named the NL All Star starter! Must see TV! Quite a feather in the Pirates cap, don't you think?
Jason Mackey
12:58
A cool story for everyone. Gonna be fun come Tuesday, that's for sure.
Owen
12:58
Who is one big bat you would target before the deadline and why? Also what would you ultimately give up to get said batter or anyone of that caliber in general
Jason Mackey
12:59
J.J. Bleday is someone I like. Would be fine with Taylor Ward. I think both thread the needle of attainable, helpful and with years of club control. ... I would struggle to give up pitching at Double-A or closer. Young guys, fine. Position players, opposing teams could have their pick.
Alex
12:59
Do you see Grandal and Perez being guys that are traded out at the deadline? Even if they are hovering around contention?  They seem expendable on the current roster, especially if the Pirates can add a better veteran starter.
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