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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 08.28.25
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PrinceBob
12:13
The other was something I saw on YouTube from early in the season where Kovacevic said the Pirates are actually losing money. I haven't seen anyone else make that claim. Have you? Does it seem possible they could lose money with that teeny tiny payroll?
Jason Mackey
12:15
Oh, there it is. Was asked a bunch about that then. ... My answer hasn't changed. I didn't see a lot of what Dejan reported on, so it would be foolish of me to try and talk about them. I do find it hard to believe that Nutting would continue to own the team if he was losing money every year. Especially when you see the selling price of the Rays.
Guest
12:15
What’s up with Jonnu Smith?  Is there a hidden injury there?
Jason Mackey
12:16
He's been dealing with a lingering knee issue, but nobody expects it to be a big deal when the regular season starts.
TVC15
12:16
Is this a make or bust season for Joey Porter Jr.? He has been mostly underwhelming so far.
Jason Mackey
12:16
Yeah, I think that's a fair way of looking at it.
Intern Jack
12:16
Is Jonnu Smith injured?
Jason Mackey
12:16
Knee issue. Nothing severe. Just maintenance. I believe he'll be fine Week 1.
Gene
12:16
Is Bubba Chandler going to get a few starts before the season ends?
Jason Mackey
12:16
Certainly if he keeps pitching like this.
demosthenes98
12:16
What did you find most surprising about the Steelers' initial 53-man roster?
Jason Mackey
12:17
I thought they'd keep Cam Johnston, but I understand why they didn't. Mark Robinson was a little surprising. Other than that, it was probably about what I expected. Maybe with the exception of cutting James Pierre.
demosthenes98
12:17
What are you keeping an eye on during the first week of college football season, either locally or nationally?
Jason Mackey
12:19
Plenty. Pumped for CFB to start. Which version of Eli Holstein do we get? What about Pitt's OL? Is Penn State as good as we expect? Ohio State-Texas will be incredible. Could be the best Clemson team we've seen in some time. Alabama's defense might be quietly very good.  Rich Rod back at WVU. I could go on. Ha.
PrinceBob
12:19
Given the way starting pitchers are used now, often being taken from the game before the 6th inning even when they're pitching fairly well and in the lead, should MLB change its rules so that the score keeper can award a win to the starter if s/he thinks deserves it even if they don't go the full 5 innings? Or is that stat just not important enough to matter anymore?
Jason Mackey
12:19
Well, first off, it doesn't matter as much anymore. At least in my opinion. It's flawed. Maybe they'd change that. I wouldn't hate it. But baseball is so entrenched in how things have always been, I don't see it happening.
demosthenes98
12:20
This sentence appeared in a PG story about the Pirates a few weeks ago: "Cherington spoke about prospect rankings, saying that while the Pirates do sometimes use public rankings, like MLB Pipeline, they mainly use it to cross-check against their own model." Given that "their own model" has produced, well, this, shouldn't they consider using public rankings more and "their own model" less? Why is Pirates management so confident when they've done nothing to earn/deserve confidence?
Jason Mackey
12:21
I'm not defending them, but wouldn't you expect them to, you know, defend what they've done? Doesn't make 'em right. But I don't hear maybe people saying, "Don't listen to us. We don't know what we're doing!"
demosthenes98
12:21
When you get down to it, are the Savannah Bananas really all that different from the Pirates? Are they not both big honking clown shows that take place on a baseball diamond? The Bananas admit it, but that's about it.
Jason Mackey
12:21
I think they're very different, but your point is made; you're mad about the Pirates. I am aware, believe me.
Intern Jack
12:21
Any open positions at PG?  Callas makes fun of me too much
Jason Mackey
12:22
Sorry, Jack. Not at the moment.
PrinceBob
12:22
Have the changes to college football affected your interest level? I've always loved it but I don't know if I do as much anymore. It seems like it's become the NFL without a salary cap.
Jason Mackey
12:22
They haven't, honestly. I can honestly say I'm more excited for college football this season than I've ever been in my life.
Aces High
12:22
How likely is it that the Steelers aren't willing to give up draft picks for a number 2 WR due to the fact that they are stockpiling those picks to move up for a QB in next years draft?
Jason Mackey
12:23
Eh. Maybe a little. I wonder whether it's also believing or wanting to believe in what they have and thinking they don't need another WR2. I can't imagine the draft capital required would sink QB plans for 2026.
Saint
12:23
Given their history of tightfistedness and their obvious lack of competitive desire at the management level, how realistic is it that they’ll be able to sign a couple of competent free agent hitters this offseason? Trading for them seems unwise (it will weaken their strongest area, pitching), even foolhardy (look at Ben’s history of trading of pitchers, like the Holmes and Priester giveaways).
Jason Mackey
12:24
If you're telling me there's $25 million to spend on two bats and a new GM doing it, one with a history of small-market success, I'm fine taking that chance. I think it can happen.
Aces High
12:24
What options at 3rd base, LF, and DH do you see the Pirates going after next season to hopefully make this a legit wildcard team?
Jason Mackey
12:24
Some would be trade. I'd have to put way more thought into that than I have to talk specifics at this point, Aces.
Al Oliver belongs in HOF
12:24
How do NFL practices squads work? How does one team sign a player from another teams practice squad?
Jason Mackey
12:25
Might be a better question for the Steelers beat guys. But if a team releases a player, obviously he's free to sign with another practice squad. They're not out there trading guys on the practice squad.
PrinceBob
12:25
Do you think the Pirates will sign any free agents to longer than a one year deal this off season?
Jason Mackey
12:25
I do, actually. Call me crazy. This is the year it happens. Finally.
PhilinCT
12:26
Mr. Mackey, as always, thanks for your time. With the relative depth at OLB and the injury/age issues that they have, what percentage of defensive plays should each of the top 4 play to help win games in September and January?
Jason Mackey
12:26
There's no specific number I'm trying to hit. Also, who's the top 4? Cam, T.J., Highsmith and Ramsey? It doesn't matter. They need to win. Period. Do whatever you need to do to win.
Ben
12:27
Hey Jason, I think the playoff losses to the Jags and the browns to some extent really derailed Tomlin’s reputation among Steeler fans. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a fan of running into a brick wall the same way every year, but if the refs get that Jesse James call right or roethlisberger doesn’t throw that pick in the end zone, then the jags go to NE and the Steelers are likely hosting an afc championship game the next week. That was a really talented offense. I’m just saying … the mediocrity of the Steelers organization is bigger than Tomlin doesn’t win the big game or the absence of a franchise QB. They’ve had a mediocre defense with a lot of hype since Troy and company moved on. No one really wants to recognize that. We’d all rather watch renegade highlights.
Jason Mackey
12:28
I appreciate the thoughts. Is there a question in there somewhere? The Steelers haven't been above good/mediocre recently. I don't disagree. But not sure where you're going with it.
Leyland
12:28
Hey Jason, I’d love to see a future column/s from you that take up this scenario: Bob Nutting tells you that he has a $10m budget increase for you over this past year, total for the org. How do you spend it to field a wildcard team while not emptying the farm system. Go!
Jason Mackey
12:29
Maybe I fold it into something, but it's pretty easy, Skip. I'm buying at least two bats at roughly $25 million total. Perhaps a tad more. I need a reliever or two, with at least one of them being a lefty. That might be it. If it's not, perhaps I try LH starter depth. If the money on bats was higher, I would be OK with that. Just trying to work through something realistic in Pirates land.
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