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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 09.05.24
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Jason Mackey
11:41
Hello, everyone. Welcome to my weekly chat. We'll get started in about 20 minutes but feel free to fire away now. Will be back at noon to answer.
12:04
And away we go ...
Fat Al
12:06
My father is almost 89. I've been wanting the Bucs to win one more for him, and I am disillusioned and pissed and obviously I am not alone. Is Shelty finally melting down? His snapping at Noah over a very fair question seems to indicate so. And removing IKF and Reynolds just before they batted in a no hitter? Was he trying to get no hit to prove a point or is he really just so set on the process that he viewed a NH as any other blowout?
Jason Mackey
12:08
I hope your dad gets to see a winner. There are too many awesome baseball fans around here who deserve it. I think melting down might be harsh. Is he feeling pressure? Would say so. And he should be. Nobody should be happy or satisfied. This hasn't been good enough. I don't care on the IKF/Reynolds stuff. We don't know what they might be battling health-wise.
Cullen
12:08
Shelton has to be near the end of his rope...right? Last week everyone was up in arms about his poor decision making, this week we get no hit. This is the 3rd(!!!!!) No Hit Shelton team (2nd official, I still count the one against the Reds) in 5 years. With how rare perfect games/no hits are in the sport it is inexcusable for us to have 3 in 5 years. It could have easily been more too as I swear we have at least 5-10 late no hit bids broken up a year under this manager. I don't see how GMBC looks at Shelton's body of work and moves forward with him as manager next year. Also Shelton lashing out at Noah for that question was pathetic. Rowdy has pitched 3 times in 10 days and Shelton needs to answer the tough questions as to why. Dude never takes any criticism or blame when a lot of it can be laid at his feet. What a leader we have!
Jason Mackey
12:10
I hear ya, Cullen. Don't forget the Mikolas game, too. The offense hasn't been good enough. Shelton has been part of that. Part, not all. I don't care if Shelton lashes out. If he wants to scream at me or anyone, go nuts. Just be articulate. Ha. But you do make people think a certain way about how things are going when you do that. I do wish Shelton would blame himself more than he does.
Mr Ed
12:10
While just like virtually everyone else I expect Sid to sign an extension with Pens but is it reasonable to assume given it hasn’t happened yet that there is(was) a sticking point(s) in the negotiations? I mean we are past saying vacations, traveling plans, etc are reasons it hasn’t happened, no?
Jason Mackey
12:11
I don't know how much I believed the whole vacations theory, Ed. Kyle Dubas has a cell phone, I'm positive of it. Sid, too. I'm with you. I think it gets done. But there's likely more nuance to this than we're appreciating. If he doesn't sign before training camp, I'll be legit worried there's an issue. But not before then.
Guest
12:11
Am I correct in assuming Konnor Griffin is at the Bradenton facilities getting work with all the tech and dev teams? Any word on the initial reports or how the Pirates feel about early results?
Jason Mackey
12:13
You are correct. Normal onboarding process. Everything so far has been positive. Speed plays. Arm strength is real. Much of the work at SS. Not sure they've done a ton of swing work at this point. That's gonna be his one and probably only concern. But it's been as positive as can be at this (early) stage.
Stash
12:14
Jason, how and/or when did BR become a defensive liability? Was it like they say about how one goes bankrupt: gradually, and then suddenly? (Not speaking from personal experience, luckily). I seem to recall when he signed for big bucks he was considered a decent to above average CFer?
Jason Mackey
12:15
Reynolds had troubles in CF before (-14 DRS in '22) but last year was fine in LF (2 DRS). His struggles defense in LF are new this year, and I'm not totally sure why. I agree it has been disappointed. The throwing, oddly, has been halfway decent (career-high 9 assists). I don't think speed suddenly disappeared. Just an odd year.
SheltonIsUrBrainOnDrugs
12:16
Mackey, based on your tweet last night I think it's now your duty to attend every Pirates games so we don't have to suffer any more no hits!
Jason Mackey
12:17
Ha. I love being at the park, believe me. But my time is probably best spent other places right now.
Bobby Moe
12:17
Jason, where do you stand on the interception the other day?  Starkey claims it was the single greatest defensive effort going back to The Roman Empire, while Ray F. claims that Zeise could have come down with the catch and taken it to the house. I'm guessing you reside somewhere in the vast mushy middle?
Jason Mackey
12:18
There's no way Ray said Zeise could've made that catch. There's also no way Paul could've made that catch. I have it ranked fifth on my list of all-time NCAA interceptions. Only problem is I don't know what the first four spots are.
CoalportKid
12:18
RE: Freiermuth value.  Where do these >$10M/y ideas come from?  OTC values him at $4.4M.  Mike Gesicki - similar draft slot, similar production, same school - is playing for ~$2.5M on a one year deal, with an OTC valuation of $3.1M.
Jason Mackey
12:19
I have not seen these $10 million for Pat F. ideas. And appreciate the Stillers question. Thank you. I think that's way too high. I had thought $5 million give or take would be perfectly fair for Pat.
Fredo
12:19
Jason, with BC throwing the international scouts under the proverbial Greyhound, it's clear at this point that he is going to survive into year 6 of his underwhelming 5-year rebuild, no?
Jason Mackey
12:20
I don't think moving on from the director of international scouting has any link here. Ben was going to stay. I still believe he's going to stay. I don't think you'll see them go whole hog, new plan, etc. But they have changed much about scouting, including hiring a new amateur director. They've stunk internationally. Doesn't surprise me that they'd go in a different direction there.
Gene
12:20
Do you think the Pirates sign a a decent 1B in the offseason or keep Rowdy?
Jason Mackey
12:21
I like Rowdy. I think he is a decent 1B. But I don't think he comes back. I think they probably sign someone. They should have the money, and they shouldn't be afraid to spend it to increase their offense at that spot.
Guest
12:21
Why would anyone think Tomlin is the right coach to lead the Steelers back to the Super Bowl?  He doesn't know how to pick a QB.  He was gifted Ben and has had poor players since him.  He can't hire a decent coach.  His players are often lazy and not on the same page.  He is nothing more than a spectator on game days.  He says a lot but does little.  Can you give me one way he's made the culture and organization recently?
Jason Mackey
12:22
People are going to read this as a blanket defense of Tomlin, which it's not. And I respect your anti-Tomlin stance. But the reasons for keeping him would probably be never having a losing season and how guys love to play for him.
That said, it's well past time to win in the playoffs and be more relevant on an NFL scale.
Guido
12:22
Jason, if it's true that adversity reveals character, Shelty's ridiculous Rowdy conniption should be the final nail in his proverbial coffin heading for the exit, no?
Jason Mackey
12:23
I don't think that's any kind of character reveal. I think Shelton is actually a pretty good dude. Don't know if he's a good manager. Evidence would say that he's not. And I'm surprised -- I thought he would be better. But I don't think there's true character or some like secret jerk being revealed here. He was pissed. He should be pissed (at himself & his team more than Noah's question). And he didn't hold it in.
YINZER Tom
12:24
Jason, since the Pittsburgh ball club took my earlier suggestion and moved Cruz to CF. Your welcome. Watch him become an all star out there. Next suggestion. Bednar. Get him to a Pilates instructor once the season ends. That’s his off-season. Do that and back to the all star game. Resign Tellez. His OPS once he went back to what worked for him and his fielding has been outstanding. Keep him. Plus great clubhouse guy.
Jason Mackey
12:30
The David Bednar weight stuff, yeah, that's it. Gimme a break. Dude needs to locate his stuff more consistently. Has nothing to do with Pilates. Good God. And I might consider re-signing Rowdy, yeah. I also might wanna look at the market and see if I can get an offensive upgrade. They should have the money to do it.
Sunglass Bob
12:30
Jason, could I promote that Don Kelly gentleman to a Permanent Interim Manager status and thus keep his financial renumeration in line with a bench coach? Just asking, nothing set in stone at this juncture. Thanks for listening.
Jason Mackey
12:30
If you're going to move on from Shelton, yeah, I would like to see them give Don Kelly a shot. He deserves it.
Benson DuBois
12:30
Should the Pirates just let Henry Davis DH this month to see if he can hit without the burden of catching?
Jason Mackey
12:31
No, I don't think so. I think he needs to show that he can hit while catching because he's going to be asked -- theoretically -- to do that next year. If he can't do it, well, at least we know. I also think one helps the other, especially with him.
Guest
12:31
Watt, Cam, and Highsmith haven't played a meaningful snap in nine months.  Is it realistic to expect them to come out full speed and be in sync with their teammates Sunday?  Or should we expect September to be their preseason again?
Jason Mackey
12:34
I don't see an issue there. Cam is healthy. So are the other guys. I think that matters more than experience. Also, among the concerns I have about the Steelers, I think the likelihood they struggle is far greater with the offensive line, wide receivers or a couple other things that the experience of those guys.
Benson DuBois
12:34
Van Jefferson's skill set doesn't seem to be much of a drop-off from Dionte.  Why is there such a negative sentiment toward him as the #2 WR?
Jason Mackey
12:35
If he skill set isn't much different than Diontae, why hasn't he produced like Diontae? I like Van Jefferson. A lot, honestly. I'd be thrilled if he was the Steelers' No. 3. But the depth (or lack of it) worries me. As well as someone who's going to legit take attention away from Pickens. We'll see.
Cam
12:35
Jason, after talking tough on my podcast, why did I end up signing for the same lousy $16M guaranteed? If I blow out my groin region again, I'll be on government assistance as soon as 2027, no?
Jason Mackey
12:36
Umm ... I thought this was fairly reasonable for all sides. It's a negotiation. Cam should start there. Steelers should start on the other side. They should meet in the middle, which they did. I think that deal makes sense for Cam -- let's him stay here, keeps his pay competitive, also doesn't tether the Steelers to something that doesn't make business sense. If Cam produces in 2024 the way he's capable, he'll get paid and stay. Everybody wins.
62 Stack Monster
12:38
Hello Jason.  Russell Wilson had 26 TDs last season in a Sean Payton offense.  What might be expected this year in Art Smith's offense?  It's run heavy and less dynamic than Payton's.
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