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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 07.26.24
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Jason Mackey
11:47
Hey, everyone. Thanks so much for stopping by. And happy Friday. We'll get started shortly but feel free to fire away now if you'd like.
12:02
And away we go ...
Cullen
12:02
Jason, youve mentioned JJ Bleday's name many times as a potential trade candidate. Are you getting any inside word that he is a target or is he just on your wishlist?
Jason Mackey
12:03
My wishlist. I don't have intel that says they've made contact, though maybe they have. The tend to cast a wide net. More that I think he would be a logical fit.
Cullen
12:04
Does the Arzorena deal bode well for the Pirates in their search for a OF piece? Considering his past elite production, years of control, and what he has done since June 1st the deal seems a bit light. I know he got off to a rough start but that shouldnt have tanked his value to much.
Jason Mackey
12:05
I don't know if it makes me think any differently about things. I think Arozarena is probably overpaid for his production -- though there's obviously past playoff performance there. Same time, Seattle's system is very good, very good. That those guys are middle-ranked there doesn't mean they are bad players.
Guest
12:05
The baseball HOF induction again made me angry that Dave Parker has not been inducted.  He was the most complete player of the 70's.  Why isn't there a push from the Pittsburgh Sports Media to attempt to get him in?  His stats are better than most who are in who played in his era.  Also, big Bucs fan, they could use 2 consistent bats in the line up.  Who are they interested in?
Jason Mackey
12:07
Yes, it's the Pittsburgh sports media's fault Dave Parker isn't in the Hall of Fame. For crying out loud. How many stories have we done that say we should be in, we're stunned he's not, others are stunned he's not, etc. It's also not just here where people don't understand his omission. There was an entire documentary done on it. I believe he's up for a committee vote again this fall, sort of like how Leyland got in. Would have to think given his state/health they take a fresh, logical look at this.
Guest
12:08
From these names, rank the most likely for the Pirates to trade for to not: Chisholm, Bleday, Vierling, Kjerstad, Ward, Happ
Jason Mackey
12:10
Ward, Chisholm, Bleday, Vierling, Kjerstad and Happ. ... Highly doubt Kjerstad or Happ. Vierling makes a decent amount of sense for them.
Cullen
12:10
Should the Pirates go for a rental OF now and then go after a Bleday, Chisholm, etc in the offseason when the price is "lower"? Side questions: 1. Is the price really that much lower in the offseason 2. With deals like this will the Pirates look to extend the player traded for or would they just ride out the control years thru arbitration? (this is more for a guy like Chisholm vs guys like Bleday who have 5+ years).
Jason Mackey
12:12
I think it depends on the ask. If prices are nuts now, potentially. But you're also making two moves with outgoing players when you could maybe make just one. I think I'd probably prefer the streamlined approach. 1. Could be, depending on the player and the interesting right now. 2. I think they would be open to it, but there's no blanket answer I can give you. Would depend on fit, production, etc. Can't imagine anything would happen right away.
Guest
12:13
When should we expect to see Konnor sign? its making me a bit nervous that we havent heard anything yet! How close to slot do you think he inks for?
Jason Mackey
12:14
I don't know, but he said he's signing. I'm not worried about it. Pirates have always spent their draft funds in this version of the draft -- since it has been capped. He's going to sign. It's just a matter of when. I'd say around full slot is probably the most logical outcome.
david--
12:14
Hey Jason, If I'm not mistaken NFL players are allowed to wear the Guardian Caps in games this year. Do you see any player making the leap?
Jason Mackey
12:15
I'd be surprised if anyone other than James Daniels wears them. Daniels kept his during practice. Even game-wise, we'll see if Daniels wears his. I'll bet he's the only one.
DennisSC
12:15
What Pirate minor leaguers, including Bubba Chandler, would you consider unavailable in a trade for a major league OF bat?
Jason Mackey
12:15
I wouldn't trade Chandler. Braxton Ashcraft -- might be a moot point because he's on the IL now -- would be another I'd really want to keep. That would be it.
Guest
12:16
Any chance we see a good old fashion baseball trade a la Chisholm for Gallen? Maybe use some of our nearly ready pitching depth to get a major league ready prospect bat?
Jason Mackey
12:17
Gallen? The Diamondbacks are trading Zac Gallen? I find that hard to believe. But, yeah, I absolutely think you could see a baseball trade this year, one that helps both clubs.
Giuseppe
12:17
Jason, 2 questions, please: who, in your opinion, besides say Paul Skenes and Brian Reynolds (at the big league club) is truly, absolutely untouchable in a trade? Also, have you heard through your sources who the Pirates are talking to? Thank you, Jason.
Jason Mackey
12:19
You should have a pretty good idea on the teams and trade market. Also, I'll be honest, I haven't pried on that stuff as I have in the past because my job is different. But White Sox, Nats, Marlins, Oakland ... the teams with stuff to trade. Nothing Earth-shattering that I've heard. ... I have a hard time seeing them trade, say, Jared Jones. That wouldn't make sense. Probably Oneil Cruz, too. Aside from that, can't imagine the list is long. You're also not going to trade anyone that actively makes your time worse, so I don't see why they would trade Keller or Bednar.
GPT
12:19
Who is the most likely acquisition for the Pirates, and what would you expect the prospect cost to be? Also, who do you think the Pirates should get and what would you give up?
Jason Mackey
12:20
Uncle on the Pirates trade questions. Holy Lord. ... An MLB outfielder with years of control. Someone who probably plays decent defense. A pack of prospects, probably including one pitcher, but I doubt one of their top-5 guys.
I think they should target JJ Bleday.
david--
12:20
JM, Did Jack Lambert respond to your hand written letter?
Jason Mackey
12:21
He did not. But thank you very much for asking about something other than the Pirates & trades.
Cullen
12:21
Who are some of your favorite stand up comedians working today? For me its gotta be Bill Burr, John Mulaney, or Shane Gillis!
Jason Mackey
12:23
Also thank you. Love this question. I love Gillis' Trump but not a ton else. (Huge standup comedy guy, so this question makes me smile.) Bill Burr, absolutely. Not so much John Mulaney. My current favorite is Nate Bargatze. And I'm not sure it's close. Been watching a lot of Christina Pazsitsky because my wife had never heard of it. Tom Segura, too. Always down for some Jim Gaffigan or Sebastian Maniscalco.
Munkeefist
12:23
Is it just me or do you cringe anytime someone squares around to bunt? It seems like it's a lost art that hitters now struggle with. With a poor hitting team like the Pirates it would seem like they need every out possible at their disposal. Just seems to fail more often than not. Thanks for the chats!!
Jason Mackey
12:24
I don't cringe, but I do agree with you. It's a lost art. I more so cringe they someone does it with two strikes. Like, "Do you really need to bunt that bad?"
PhilinCT
12:24
Mr Mackey, as always I find your writings must read no matter the topic. The process is very early for the Steelers but besides health what is the single item to look for when training camp is done to give Steeler fans the most hope/consternation? Thanks for your time.
Jason Mackey
12:25
Thank you very much, Phil. Appreciate that. I'd say wide receivers. SOMEONE will have to step up opposite George Pickens. He's very good, but if he's triple-covered, they're gonna have problems. A close second might be the depth of the secondary.
Luis
12:25
What are the Pirates waiing for? Randy Arozarena sure would have looked nice in the middle of the Pirates lineup. He came with 2 years of control! Price was only 2 not top 10 prospects. Am I off base here?
Jason Mackey
12:26
Yeah, they were like 14-16 but in Seattle's system, which is possibly the best in MLB. But I get your point. There could be any number of factors. Do teams want to trade guys? Are the Pirates waiting something out? We don't know. I guarantee they're not sitting around and thinking how they can make everyone angry.
PhilinCT
12:26
Mr Mackey you certainly are a prolific writer; who in the household has an "easier" time of writing? Also, is the idea of giving Hayes more time off on the Pirates radar? I don't know who replaces him but his output has been sporadic at best all year and I read somewhere that the Pirates are in the hunt for a playoff birth (60 year old core baseball fan who would like something to root for in September).
Jason Mackey
12:28
Ha. I don't know about prolific. I'd say Ab probably does that better, idk. It's tough to compare. But I'm up at 2-3 a.m. wired a lot of nights, my brain going. She's way more chill than I am. I wish I could function like a normal person, then sit down at 9 p.m. and have stuff come out.
I think they could give Hayes some additional time off, sure. But it's balance between that and allowing him to get into a rhythm. He needs to find his swing, and you can't do that with sporadic playing time.
Guest
12:28
In his article for The Athletic the other day Bowden suggested Chisholm for Davis and Ashcraft. If youre the Pirates do you pull the trigger? Its a no brainer for me
Jason Mackey
12:29
Yeah, I'd probably do that deal, too. I don't see a clear path for Davis at this point. Don't love losing Ashcraft, but they have a need and he's not Bubba Chandler.
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