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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 07.31.25
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Jason Mackey
12:21
No, I don't think those guys would be gone. They've actually been good at their jobs.
BuccoMan
12:21
Really enjoyed the article on the hayes trade, fully agree its the right move.  DK is going nuts (i know he is crazy) about what a terrible trade it was, any thoughts on why
Jason Mackey
12:23
I don't have it out with other media members in public, especially ones that I respect the way I do Dejan. He called it a salary dump. He's not wrong. But I do think they're going to spend that money a different way in 2026.
TVC15
12:23
Hi Jason,  I get spooked trading draft picks to move up to select our next franchise quarterback in the 2026 draft. I remember when Trevor Lawrence was considered a generational (as in once every 25 years) talent. Is he just on a bad team? A bad organization? Bad luck?  Can Tomlin do any better to develop a young quarterback? I don't think so. Maybe the (hopefully) new coach in 2028 can get this mess of an offense straightened out.
Jason Mackey
12:24
I don't know enough Trevor Lawrence's situation, sorry. But I have no issue using picks to move up in the draft if that helps the Steelers. And it might. I'm more interested in seeing how this year plays out first, though.
The Eman
12:24
Since we all know Nutting values profit above all else, what mechanisms does MLB have in place to prevent him from selling Skenes to, say, Yankees or Dodgers for $100+ million? Seems back in the day the Oakland A’s were prevented from doing cash deals by the commissioner.
Jason Mackey
12:25
I don't know what you mean selling Skenes to the Yankees or Dodgers for $100 million? That's not how trades work. Might the Pirates eventually trade Skenes -- not soon -- for a boatload of prospects? Sure. It doesn't even make sense for them to give Skenes what he could get from those other teams. But they're not gonna trade him for $100 million.
The Eman
12:25
On a related topic, I wouldn’t trust GMBC to negotiate a good deal for me on a rug from a street bazaar merchant in Morocco.
Jason Mackey
12:25
Never been to Morocco, but yeah, there hasn't been much of an ability to trade pitching for offense.
Jim
12:25
Have you ever seen a GM in any major sport fail as miserably at his job and STILL be responsible for one of the most pivotal trade deadlines in recent memory? Decent return for KH, but does nothing to move the needle for 2026. Is this guy just infatuated with stockpiling A ball prospects?
Jason Mackey
12:26
Repeat line above -- this was never gonna net a big return because of Hayes' profile. But to your earlier point, I agree. Certainly unique to allow Cherington to handle the draft & trade deadline after struggling as much as the Pirates have. Don't know what to say that I haven't already. I neither understand nor agree with the move.
Jersey Danno
12:27
Any up and coming outfielders in the system if Reynolds gets traded (hopefully)?
Jason Mackey
12:28
He's not getting traded. And your best shots are probably Yorke & Cook at Triple-A; Griffin, Jebb & Valdez at Double-A; and maybe giving Suwinski more time.
demosthenes98
12:28
Between the MLB draft and the signing deadline, there was plenty of discussion about whether or not the Pirates' draft picks would sign with the team, but not much about whether they should. Should they have done so? The arguments in favor of them doing so (money, a chance to play professionally, etc.) are well-known, but at what point do the arguments against carry weight? Not getting cheated out of money by Bob Nutting, a chance to play for a team that wants to win, avoidance of low-character front-office personnel, basic human morality?
Jason Mackey
12:29
I don't know what you're asking. We should debate whether an 18-year-old none of us know should accept several million dollars or go to college?
demosthenes98
12:29
Seth Hernandez, the Pirates' first-round draft pick, signed for more than $300,000 under slot (an act known by the technical term of rowdytellezing). Angel Cervantes, their second-rounder, took his talents to Westwood to play for UCLA instead. Is it fair to say that Cervantes (or whoever's advising him) is smarter than Hernandez (ditto)?
Jason Mackey
12:29
Nope. But your anger about the Pirates is noted.
demosthenes98
12:29
Did the Pirates deserve to have any of their draft picks sign with them? What, precisely, have they done to merit those young men's signatures? Do Bob Nutting and company think that just being an (alleged) MLB team is enough and that they don't have work to do to be worthy of them?
Jason Mackey
12:30
They picked them & paid them, so, yeah, I guess. You're welcome to be mad about the Pirates. You should be. But I don't see the point on taking it out on Seth Hernandez et. all. But we have all noticed that you're very mad.
demosthenes98
12:30
After the MLB trade deadline, it's customary for journalists to grade individual trades as well as teams' performances at said deadline. Given that the Pirates are owned by Bob Nutting and GM'd by Ben Cherington, haven't they already earned an F-- this year?
Jason Mackey
12:31
I guess we need to keep doing this. One, I don't grade trades. I don't believe in it. It's all hypothetical and a predicting of the future that we can't comprehend. But in our society, unfortunately, it's a demand. This year has been a failure, absolutely. That exists independent of the deadline.
TVC15
12:32
Hi Jason,  Given Penn State's tendency to lose to good teams I think the National Title hype is way overblown. I see the predictable stumbling blocks this season - vs. Oregon /@ Iowa /@ Ohio State - but do they need to be worried about @UCLA/vs. Indiana/vs. Nebraska as well? I was at the USC game last year and it was a miracle, lucky, stunning win against a so-so team. A loss there really could have ruined their season. The same could happen @ UCLA this season.
Jason Mackey
12:32
I remember that game -- you're right. Great game. But some Penn State fans probably had heart issues. Anyway, yeah, sort of similar to Tomlin, it seems Franklin isn't immune to the trap game. So, those fit. That being said, Penn State SHOULD be good enough to where that doesn't matter.
rock cioni
12:33
Jason      You do a great job.  So , Keller will stay?
Jason Mackey
12:33
I believe so, yes. Thank you.
TVC15
12:33
Every year there seems to be a can't miss superstar available at the top of the NHL draft. In your opinion how does Gavin McKenna match up with Sydney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, or Alex Ovechkin when they were drafted? Or even more recent highly touted #1 picks?
Jason Mackey
12:33
I haven't watched enough to say. But that's pretty lofty praise with those three. Not sure I would be comfortable going there at this point. He's still very, very good.
KDub
12:33
Who do you think is the Pirates starting 3rd baseman in 2026? Someone they grab today, sign as a free agent or someone currently in the organization?
Jason Mackey
12:33
Someone they trade for or sign over the winter.
John in Florida
12:33
No big trade yet for the Buccos. Do you still think Bednar, Santana, or Keller might go? Anyone else still likely to be traded?
Jason Mackey
12:34
I think they stay. I'd bet Heaney, Pham and IKF get moved.
Daniel
12:34
Lots of pitching questions. Will Strom be back next year? Is Perez going to move to the dugout? What can you tell us about a few of the AA arms that have flown under the radar. Namely Cam Sanders, Ryan Harbin and Wilkin Ramos? Their numbers are noteworthy.
Jason Mackey
12:34
I'd take a lot of that to the Pirates chat/mailbag, which believe it or not, is not this.
12:35
From my seat, I have nothing to indicate Strom wouldn't be back. I could see Miggy moving to the dugout given his history, though I'm not sure that has been decided. Shoot, I'm not sure they've decided on a manager for '26.
Guest
12:36
Sounds like the Buccos are going to screw up something else with this trade deadline.  No reason to not trade Bednar - sellers market for relievers, most have already been traded, and his value will never be higher.  Keller too.  Biggest issue is not only can Cherington not evaluate talent, he can never seem to make other teams overpay.  He seems to just settle for what they give him.  Is he just not respected by other GMs?  Is it because they feel he is a lame duck, or is he just looked at as a pushover?
Jason Mackey
12:36
I get the argument on Bednar. I will counter with this: Their thinking is thatt hey want to win in 2026. Not saying they will. I'm conveying their thinking. If you operate like that, wouldn't it make more sense to keep your best pieces and add by spending more or trading prospects for MLB players?
That's It, Fort Pitt
12:36
Outside the box thought: With Reynolds declining OF defense, do you see any entertaining of the idea of moving him to 3B over the offseason? His reaction time isn't ideal, but a faster OFer would be easier to replace than a bat-forward 3B.
Jason Mackey
12:37
Zero chance of that happening.
The Truth
12:37
Hey Jason! While I am fine with trading Hayes, it appears they have no plan at third base now. In a perfect world, they would pony up some cash this offseason and sign one of the top free agent 3rd basemen. Now, I fear that they will go the cheap route either by making Triolo the 3rd baseman, getting a cheap, scrap heap, reclamation project type of guy, or making a dumb trade to get a Spencer Horwitz type of player at third.

What do you think their actual plan is at third base now? Is it fair to be this skeptical?
Jason Mackey
12:37
It's the Pirates. It's always fair to be skeptical. But I don't think it'll be Triolo. They need more offense than he can provide. I think they sign or trade for someone this winter.
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