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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 08.14.25
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Mark
12:22
Hi Jason.  Appreciate your chats and your insight on Pittsburgh sports.  However, I have two off the wall media questions, if you don't mind.  On ESPN, how does one get promoted from NFL Insider to Senior NFL Insider?  And on local news, why do I need to know who the "Chief" Meteorologist is?  Should I trust their weather forecast more than a regular Meteorologist?  Thank you.
Jason Mackey
12:23
Sorry, Mark. Brief computer issue. Back now. ... You know this is a Post-Gazette sports chat, right? These are way, way away from what we do here. I appreciate the passion and participation, believe me. But I have nothing to do with ESPN or meteorology.
Soggy
12:23
Culture club(house) part 2   Thank you for the earlier reply.  The point I am trying to get at.Money won't solve the entire problem to fielding the team.  The biggest obstacle, in my opinion, is that the Pirates are perceived as a joke organization by MLB players. The Pirates will have to pay a over market value to get legit, in their prime, players.
Jason Mackey
12:24
I won't disagree. But if the Pirates can transform how people think of them by making smart baseball decisions, again more like the Brewers, Guardians, Rays, etc. ... that's gonna change outside opinion. It did 10 years ago. Just gotta win. And it's not just about spending money.
Bill in Culver City
12:24
Colin Beazley's interview with Rafael Flores came up with this nugget. Asked what the difference in approaches were between the Yankees and Pirates, Florez said the Yankees prioritize individual development, while the Pirates emphasize team success. Says a lot, perhaps, about how the Pirates consistently fail to develop players for the major league club? Or is this just one newbie's initial impression?
Jason Mackey
12:25
That caught my attention, too. Now, is it terrible to find value in guys playing & winning together? Of course not. It wouldn't be an issue if the individual skill development was better. My bigger issue with their handling of that stuff is arrogance or obstinance, basically always feeling like they have it figured out. Not a good place to be.
demosthenes98
12:32
Out of the Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins, which team's players are the most likely to spend the offseason in the Pittsburgh area?
Jason Mackey
12:33
None. Ha. That would be my honest answer. I suppose the Steelers because they're paid the most, but Watt often goes home, Cam is here ... Freiermuth is around, Joey Porter Jr. ... Don't think any Penguins live, live here, although Sid is around a bunch. Cutch lives here. It's usually tied to money and security, so I'd go Steelers, Penguins and Pirates.
PrinceBob
12:33
Based on performance and anticipated performance, which of this year's Pirates do you think should have their job next season? This is hypothetical so you can include any of this year's free agents they should try to resign. And if this is too big a topic you could limit it to position players.
Jason Mackey
12:36
No, it's a good one. Who SHOULD have jobs next year. Honestly, Skenes? Keller? Reynolds? Cruz? It's not a long list. They're gonna lose 95-plus games. Now, are they gonna run it back with Nick Gonzales and Spencer Horwitz? Probably. They need a new left-side of the infield. Catcher should be a competition between Bart, Davis & Flores. They need to sign at least another outfielder. Rotation should be Skenes, Keller, Chandler (get him here ASAP) and some combination of Oviedo, Burrows, Ashcraft, Harrington, Barco and FA signees. Bullpen, you're pretty certain with Mlodzinski, Santana, Mattson, maybe Nicolas and that's probably it.
demosthenes98
12:36
I know this is a decision that's above your pay grade, but...why don't Noah Hiles and/or Colin Beazley do Pirates chats? It would be more work for them, but you did it when you were the PG's Pirates beat writer, so it can be done. Seems as if it would be a win for everyone--they'd get a finger on the pulse of Pirates fans, you'd get fewer Pirates questions, and we'd get answers to those questions right from the source.
Jason Mackey
12:37
I would recommend asking them. They do a mailbag. I always enjoyed the interaction. Can't speak for everyone.
demosthenes98
12:37
As a beat writer who covered two different teams, what, in your view, is the proper relationship between a professional sports team's ownership/management group and the journalists who cover that team?
Jason Mackey
12:38
Wish this was a little more specific, but ... reporters should always be tough but fair ... they should pursue stories ... they should investigate ... they should analyze ... they should ask tough questions ... but it's not their/our job to shake someone until they say what fans want ... it's to hold people accountable through questions and actions ... if there's anything you're specifically looking for, please ask.
demosthenes98
12:39
After Ben Cherington recently claimed the Pirates would never trade a play to save money, how can anyone believe anything he says ever again?
Jason Mackey
12:39
That ship sailed long ago for me ...
PrinceBob
12:39
And a related question is do you think Matt Hague comes back as hitting coach and should he?
Jason Mackey
12:40
No, I don't think he should. They should blow up the entire hitting group. And, yeah, I think that's a change they'll make. Nutting has to see it. I would keep Oscar and plenty on the pitching side. They've done a decent job there. Hitting needs total change. Top to bottom.
PrinceBob
12:40
Whenever Bob Nutting is asked why he wants to own the team he says it's because he wants to produce a winner. Has anyone ever asked him if having four winning seasons in the eighteen years he's owned the team makes him think maybe he just doesn't know how to do that? And if someone did do you think he'd answer?
Jason Mackey
12:41
That wasn't the answer I got last time I asked. He told me he was uniquely positions to advocate for Pittsburgh when it comes to CBA negotiations. Yeah, I wished I would have had time to follow up. That's always true. Interviews also can't be endless. I ran out of my allotted time and wasn't able to probe more. Will be happy to do so next time & will add this to the running list.
Biggs
12:41
How is it ESPN broke the news of Heyward hold in and not the local coverage who are there every day
Jason Mackey
12:43
Because it was indecipherable. He practiced the first day. Then really didn't do anything team-wise, which isn't any different. He's a 36-year-old defensive tackle. He did individual drills and was around talking to teammates. They held him out of contact early in camp. That's not unusual. ESPN reported it because -- I'm guessing -- his agents leaked it to the network as a negotiating ploy. Someone strategically leaked it to ESPN, I'll say that.
T.K.
12:44
Do you think Pitt Football is being a little overlooked this season?  Seems like the pieces are in place if they stay healthy to have a nice year if they can overcome a difficult finishing stretch of the schedule.
Jason Mackey
12:45
Maybe. But doesn't Pitt football deserve it with the way the season ended? Look, I'm excited for this year. I think Holstein, Reid & others can form a dynamic offense. However, what, they lost their last seven and played in the GameAbove Sports Bowl? Not sure that commands preseason attention.
George T
12:45
If the Pirates fire Cherrington is there any reason to think they will hire someone can do a good job.  There are good origination who know how to find good free agents, make good trades, and develop players.  Pirates have not been able to do this for same time.  If the fire Cherrington and bring in someone new they need to change the whole origination so we can find good players and develop them.
Jason Mackey
12:46
*Cherington. Why does everyone insist on Cherrington? Weird.

I understand the skepticism, George. It's fair. At the same time, lemme flip it around. What's preventing them? Bob Nutting, Travis Williams, I get it. But even if they do it by accident, they still theoretically COULD hire someone half-decent.
PrinceBob
12:46
I'm seeing a few comments from people thinking the Pirates will move once the stadium lease is up. I don't believe they will but in the unlikely event they did, what would become of PNC Park? I imagine there's be an immediate effort to get an expansion team but for a few years it would generate no revenue yet cost a good bit of money to maintain. Would the city demolish it after a while? Do you think the Pirates would put their AAA affiliate there? I know this is real hypothetical but, why not?
Jason Mackey
12:47
They're not moving. Talking about this feels like talking about Point State Park whenever the city up and leaves around it. Come on now.
SDWC
12:47
How do you think college football will look in 5 years?  Number of power conferences that still exist?  Number of teams in the playoff?  Will football break away from the NCAA?  Thanks!
Jason Mackey
12:47
Got a version of this earlier. Really tough. I'll go with four Super Conferences, around 64 teams at the FBS level and, yes, college football breaking away from the rest of the NCAA when it comes to policies. But still obviously attached to schools with revenue.
Chris
12:47
Do you believe Cam and boz get what they want? N if not both which? Or neither? lol
Jason Mackey
12:48
I think the Steelers will advance them some money AB-style. I don't think they will give them new contracts, nor should they.
SDWC
12:48
What about Kenny Pickett do you think was exposed in the NFL that didn’t show up in his college career, that was the primary thing as why he failed and isn’t seen as legit starter?
Jason Mackey
12:49
To this point, I think it was the mental side. He made up for stuff in college with his athleticism and arm. Doesn't appear there's enough going on upstairs. I could be wrong. I hope I'm wrong. But it seems like the game has been too fast for him.
PrinceBob
12:49
So you're really sure the Pirates aren't leaving. I think the same but maybe a bit less strongly than you.
Jason Mackey
12:49
I don't think they're leaving no.
OK, folks. That does it. Need to hop on this Pens call & get over to Acrisure Stadium. Thanks so much for doing this. Talk to you again real soon!
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