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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 08.29.24
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Jason Mackey
11:46
Hey everyone. Welcome to my weekly chat -- now on Thursdays. Thanks for stopping by. We'll get started in about 20 minutes.
12:01
And away we go ...
Fredo
12:01
Jason, not defending OC's defensive prowess displayed to date, but he's given an error for a 100 mph throw from center that might have landed a few feet long or short of perfection?
Jason Mackey
12:02
That's by the book, Fredo. Throw bounces, it goes on the fielder. And you have to account for the runner advancing. So, I agree with you. But it's not a judgement call.
Shoe dog
12:02
What is the story on Michael A. Taylor? Why can’t they bring up Matt Gorski? Give them all a 30 day run or your money back! Go Steelers
Jason Mackey
12:05
My thought is that Taylor has really been hampered by being here. Hasn't hit, obviously. But he had 21 HR last year, a .720 OPS. Produced some at least halfway decent seasons in Washington. Hasn't come close here. I don't know about Gorski. I'd rather see Cook & Yorke. You're not sitting Cruz or Reynolds. Where does Gorski play where he gets remotely consistent ABs?
Cullen
12:05
Does the Cruz to CF move work out better than the Great Cole Tucker Outfield Experiment? Personally I love this move for him and can easily see this bringing out the best of all 5 of his tools!
Jason Mackey
12:06
Oh, gosh. Yes, let's hope. I'm all for Cruz in the OF. Surprised they did it now, but if Oneil is OK with it, great. Results don't matter, obviously. Needs experience. Everyone needs to extend some grace; he's never done this before. I think he can be darn good out there.
Olivia
12:06
Jason, can you help me talk my man down off the ledge after this latest debacle?  I can tell him in four or five years he will be plying his trade for a legitimate MLB operation, but that's a pretty long time to put up with this BS.
Jason Mackey
12:07
Ha. Paul was level-headed yesterday. Would expect no less. That was some tweet, though, Livvy.
Shoe dog
12:07
Do the Pirates publish attendance results versus LY?
Jason Mackey
12:07
Yes, it's track. This is my typical go-to for that: https://www.espn.com/mlb/attendance
12:08
Tracked, not track
Shoe dog
12:08
Someone should be fired for just pitching Woodford! Time for a new closer, hopefully he is shutdown like Holderman!
Jason Mackey
12:08
Yep, the ol' fire the guy because ____ pitched. Hate when those happen. Always a tough story to tell.
Wayward
12:08
Jason, Thanks for doing a chat where you know what 99% of the questions are going to be!  You have had the chance to speak to Nutting multiple times.  It is obvious that some level of change is needed.  In your mind what is a realistic expectation, based upon your knowledge of Nutting, of how deep these potential changes will go?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:09
Thanks, Wayward. And of course. I don't think Bob is the least bit happy about any of this. This isn't what he expected. Should this continue, I can't imagine he retains Shelton (and much of his staff). I do think they stick it out with GMBC. I don't think there's as much of a desire to craft an entire new plan. But I think there's been a lot of disappointment with how the MLB team has performed.
The Man Mulcahy
12:10
Jason, the egregious lack of basic fundamentals, with an emphasis on the mentals component, mainly falls on whom?  Gotta be the bearded one known as Shelty, no?
Jason Mackey
12:11
He's in charge of the MLB team's performance, so yeah. But as I reply to those complaining about this: It's not ALL on the manager. Catching routine fly balls, not getting a bunt down, relievers blowing up, making poor baserunning choices ... you can coach, but you can't control everything. It's never one aspect or one person.
Cullen
12:11
I cant be patient with Shelton anymore, yesterday's loss has to be the tipping point for him to lose his job. His poor decision making has literally lost us double digit games already this year and I'm not seeing any improvements from him managing a "good" team vs the bad teams of 2020-2022. You can put some of the blame on Cherington but imo he put together a roster that should have been playoff caliber and an improvement on last year's. Its up to Shelton to get the most out of the team and he has failed. If the front office is serious about building a winner here, Shelton has to go.
Jason Mackey
12:12
Totally fair take, Cullen. This team has underperformed. Badly, in some cases. Fifth year of a rebuild. Year where contention has been the goal. Firing that person isn't a crazy thought. I get you.
PrinceBob
12:12
In the spirit of giving you something other than Pirates' questions in the wake of yesterday, I'll ask a couple football questions first. Which overtime do you prefer, NFL or NCAA? I don't like that college overtime eliminates special teams play and leaves teams that count on that, defense, and field position, at a slight disadvantage. But I like that each team gets the same number of possessions. I'd like the NFL's much better than college because it's the same game in overtime as in regulation and I even like the possibility of a tie. But I don't get why the kicking team can lose if they give up a touchdown on their first possession
Jason Mackey
12:13
Oooh, thank you for the break. I prefer NFL. To me, "plays" are important for both sides of the ball. Now, I like the adjustment with a field goal. But by and large, I prefer the special teams component & OT more mirroring actual play. Just don't put a ghost runner on second.
PrinceBob
12:13
Have you gotten a good enough look at what the NFL is doing with kickoffs to have a like or don't like opinion?
Jason Mackey
12:14
I think it's an overreach. I don't like it. I think they're trying too hard. At this point, I'd rather see them have normal kickoffs or just start teams at the 25 or something. What they're doing now feels meaningless.Maybe the excitement returns in the regular season, but it has been a largely boring play thus far.
Guido
12:14
Jason, I boasted a 75-mph heater back in the day (as confirmed at the Kennywood pitching game) and a wicked curve that the opposition mistakenly thought was a changeup. due to its lack of movement. My chances of making the bullpen on this so-called staff would exceed 50%, yes or no?
Jason Mackey
12:17
I hope you guessed right on the third one and won an old-school baseball hat. My kids will never know the joy that brought younger me, rocking an A's or Expos hat the entire day at the park. Anyway, the bullpen, yeah, it has struggled. Learned yesterday that Jalen Beeks (8) has more blown saves this season than David Bednar. More than anyone but Clay Holmes, actually. That's weird.
PrinceBob
12:17
Inevitably to the Pirates, what would you do with David Bednar the rest of the way? Do you keep sending him out in save situations hoping he sorts things out for next season or do you audition other guys for that role for next year? And given that almost no one in the bullpen looks reliable right now other than Chapman do you seriously think of bringing him back?
Jason Mackey
12:17
Assuming he's healthy, you can't keep him in the closer's role. He's a setup man from here out for me. Let Chapman close. And, yeah, maybe audition Mlodzinski, Nicolas, Holderman, whomever. But I wouldn't keep using Bednar in that spot.
BC
12:18
Jason, truth be told, Shelty is going to take the fall for this debacle, but it should really be the guy who has assembled this utter disaster of a roster and farm system, no?
Jason Mackey
12:19
No one is without blame, as I said earlier. It's just a bigger undertaking to change out the GM, because of all that Cherington oversees. But absolutely. They spent money poorly this offseason. That's on me. They've made bad trades. That's on Ben.
Sunglass Bob
12:19
Jason, we all know that I loathe paying people to sit on their couch, but really, BC and Shelty must be jettisoned if I am a serious man and not a clueless newspaper scion, no?
Jason Mackey
12:19
You paid $18 million to make Huntington and Hurdle go away after 2019. I doubt you're averse to one year of Derek Shelton if that's the right move.
Marc Wilkens Fan Club
12:19
There must have been mutual interest between Northwestern and Heather Lyke. What I don't understand is Lyke's interest. I understand Northwestern is a Big Ten school and all of the advantages that provides. However, the ceiling for athletic success at Northwestern is limited due to their academic standards, which I admire. Perhaps I'm overstating it, but Pitt's ceiling for success would be higher. It's obvious why a job like the AD at an Ohio State, sorry THE Ohio State, or Michigan State would be appealing. I'm not certain I understand an interest in Northwestern. Does this not indicate that it's now simply a matter of where and how soon Lyke leaves Pitt instead of if she's going to leave?
Jason Mackey
12:21
Second part first: yes. Sure seems that way, that Lyke is headed out the door, somewhere, although apparently Northwestern is going in a different direction. I don't know why Northwestern would be more appealing. I had those same thoughts. But it's likely one of two things: 1. Lyke is trying to leverage the job to get what she wants at Pitt. 2. There are behind-the-scenes things -- either problems with Heather or the university that are preventing this from getting a deal done -- that have led her to look elsewhere.
Marc Wilkens Fan Club
12:21
Based upon your experience covering the Pirates and knowledge of how the organization operates, what are two or three moves you would do over the off-season to improve the teams chances of contenting for a playoff spot if you ran the team. Realistic moves based upon the parameters of how the franchise historical operates.
Jason Mackey
12:23
A new hitting coach and offensive philosophy, No. 1. Assuming you're not just talking players. But they have to overhaul this and not be so darn rigid with the belief that all must be the same.

No. 2 -- A free agent bat ... and a legit one. Nobody on a discount. No bounce-back years. No platoons. A bonafide major leaguer to supply offense. It'll probably be 1B because that's where the opening will be. But I suppose I could try to be flexible if OF was where I found a match.

No. 3 -- Spend on reliable relief pitching. I like the $10.5 million. I don't like it on one guy.
Henry
12:23
Jason, is it really that wide of a chasm between your average Quad A hurler and some MLB types with ERAs over 6?  If not, why the discrepancy in my batting prowess?  Again with the mentals?
Jason Mackey
12:24
Too small of a sample size, Hank. I don't know yet. There's been a lot of tinkering with your swing and approach. I've blank-slated it for this go-around.
RS
12:24
Good morning, Is there a reason that with a minor league system supposedly with arm talent we are constantly fed the likes of Heller, Feigl, Woodford, etc.? Why are they so against bringing up the players that we keep hearing about? I don't care to hear about "super 2" status as that has never been an issue with any Pirate in history. They are either traded or signed to a team friendly deal way before then. This past month has been a disaster and not sure how you can always draft high and have the 27th ranked farm system.
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