JotCast | Jason Mackey's sports chat: 09.12.24

Jason Mackey's sports chat: 09.12.24

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Jason Mackey

11:40

Hello, everyone. Welcome to my weekly chat. Thanks for stopping by. You know the drill. We'll get started shortly.

11:58

Alright, let's do this ...

Soggy

11:58

Always enjoy the chats Jason, thank you. It appears the Pirates will run back the same brain trust (manager & gm) for the 2025 season. Does this surprise you based on Nutting's statements for 2024 expectations he laid out this spring? Also, what priorities should the Pirates have this offseason to b

Jason Mackey

12:00

Of course. Thank you for joining. It very much surprises me, as I wrote yesterday. I'm still not sure Bob has approved this, to be honest. Why I say that: In 2019, I was told that Bob was doing a comprehensive review & wanted to wait until after the season to determine anything. Why, now, where there has been no obvious progress when he said there should be, do you automatically run it back? Makes no sense.

Soggy

12:00

Also... what should the Pirates priorities be this coming offseason. Thank You!

Jason Mackey

12:02

Priorities this offseason should be fixing the hitting program. That has a couple levels. Coaching. Methodology. Bringing in a bat or two, perhaps at first base -- upping the talent level in some ways. They need to find more consistency there. They also need to figure out why the bullpen isn't better. Is it prep? Usage? People? I don't have the answer, but they need to fix it.

Greg

12:02

Hi Jason, do you think that 1st round rookie qb's are being rushed to play too early ? The last few years, for every CJ Stroud there seems to be 3 or 4 busts. Patrick Mahomes and Jordan Love sat on the bench and it seemed to work out well for them. Thanks !

Jason Mackey

12:03

Sometimes. And this is a good point you bring up, Greg. I think some guys need that. Certainly helps. I also understand the salary structure and need those guys to play (and hopefully win) now. That's why you see them starting right away. Maximize what you're getting on that rookie deal. I think the trick becomes almost scheming them to success. Not asking too much out of them like the Steelers did way back when with Ben.

Mr Ed

12:04

Why would Cherington make a public statement about Shelton’s status now? Because he has already discussed with Nutting? Very doubtful to me, Nutting seems too deliberate of a guy and would want discussions like that to occur after the season. So if not, what, he wants everybody to know if Shelton is let go it’s because Nutting overruled him? Just doesn’t seem a prudent move for Cherington’s job status to upstage his boss in this manner.

Jason Mackey

12:05

I was confused for the reasons you outlined. I also typed some of that prior. The Pirates haven't met Bob's expectations. He generally operates slow with that stuff and takes his time -- to a fault. Why would he rush to make this decision now? That's why I wrote what I did: Cherington may expect Shelton to be back from his seat, but that doesn't automatically mean it's happening.

PhilinCT

12:05

Mr Mackey, thank you as always for your time and insight. Not that I would, but could you see a scenario where the Pirates trade M. Keller (as there is a larger number of potential internal replacements) this offseason for a plug-and-play position (OF?) player. As a comment, I have been impressed with the breadth of your column topics since your new role began, but still appreciate the chat.

Jason Mackey

12:06

Thanks so much. I really appreciate the kind words on my work, Phil. To your question: I don't think so. They like Mitch. As they should. They just extended him for a reason. I get what you're saying: trade from a position of strength. But you can never have enough good pitching, and they should know that. I think they do.

Jock Sutherland

12:06

What's your Pitt WVU prediction?

Jason Mackey

12:06

Pitt, 38-35

Cullen

12:06

When it's all said and done, who has the better career, Jones or Chandler?

Jason Mackey

12:07

Man, we're operating with incomplete sets of data. I haven't seen Chandler in Triple-A. Nobody has seen him against the pros. I'd probably lean Jones because I've seen more of him, but that's not a great reason.

TVC15

12:07

I am not sure why but after a feeble 18-10 win over the Falcons it seems like it is widely assumed that the Steelers will win this Sunday. How devastating would it be for the Steelers to lose to the Broncos?

Jason Mackey

12:08

As devastating as anything can be in Week 2, I suppose. It wouldn't be great. They need to win the gams should win, especially early, and this is one of those. But, at the same time, they have 15 games left after Sunday.

Jock Sutherland

12:08

Good column today on Pitt AD search. Two questions, since Lyke is her contract similar to coaches contracts where they still get paid for remaining years on their contract. Is Pitt still paying for next year? was under contract for another year is she still getting paid for another year by Pitt?

Jason Mackey

12:09

Thanks, Jock. Appreciate that. She was only under contract through 2024. I would imagine she still gets that given the circumstances. Unless there's something we don't know about.

Dan N

12:09

I know this sounds crazy but I can make a case for Shelty to come back…however Cherington is another story ! How can you miss on so many player decisions? The manager is plugging holes every game…Thoughts ?

Jason Mackey

12:10

I would be stunned if they kept the manager and not the GM. I don't think they want to move on from Ben yet because of all he oversees. The manager isn't easy, but it's easier. Cherington certainly isn't without blame in this.

TVC15

12:10

What is the holdup on signing Sydney Crosby's extension? I guess it is weird that this is his last year of a 12 year contract. What would the extension look like? 1 year? 5 years? 12 more years?

Jason Mackey

12:10

My theory at this point is that they're going to strategically place is to try and drum up attention. He said the other night he's optimistic it gets done. They obviously want and need him. Don't know what else the hold up could be. I am curious to learn why this didn't get done sooner.

CoalportKid

12:11

Should, and could, the Pirates flip Johan Oviedo or Bailey Falter for a 2-3 WAR hitter with similar contractual control?

Jason Mackey

12:11

I would be surprised if they could. Maybe someone who projects to 2-3 WAR. I don't like losing Falter, their lone lefty. Not sure I would give up on Oviedo, either. I forget about him. Dude was dominant last year. Imagine this rotation with that next year. That's something.

TVC15

12:12

Should the Steelers look to hire an offensive guru head coach? The game between the Steelers and Falcons defensive guru head coaches didn't inspire much confidence in either team winning a playoff game anytime soon.

Jason Mackey

12:12

I think it's one game and should be left as such. With all Mike Tomlin has survived, I don't think one touchdown-less game against the Falcons is going to change things.

Jock Sutherland

12:13

sent too early and second question on NIL money...is it correct the amount of money that be spent by school to players is unlimited?

Jason Mackey

12:13

Yeah, I'm not aware on any cap on what players can earn.

Cullen

12:13

Should the Pirates consider leveraging a rotation arm like Falter, Ortiz, Oviedo, to bring in a impact bat now that those guys have proven they can stay healthy all year in a rotation? Theoretically, they could make a trade like that for a guy with cheap control vs overpaying in the market and still snag another big bat, bullpen help, and an innings eating #5/depth guy. Might be a more efficient use of resources and funds if BC has ~30m to play with.

Jason Mackey

12:14

Why's everyone wanting to trade pitching? Keep the damn pitching. Haven't we seen that it's needed? My goodness. They should just go out and spend some money on a player to plug the hole. They spent $36 million on like 7 guys last year. How about $36 million on 3 instead? Cutch, another bat and a reliever.

12:14

Jason, quick FYI, I cleared it with the Big Guy in advance. Me and Shelty are back for Year 6 of our 5-year plan. I can feel the excitement surging through yinzer land!

Jason Mackey

12:14

Oh, yeah. They're dancing in the streets.

Gene

12:16

Do you think Skenes gets ROY or will they give it to Merrill from SanDiego?

Jason Mackey

12:16

I think Paul should win it. He's been among top 5 pitchers in baseball since he debuted. Not rookies, all guys. But I worry because he doesn't play every day, that voters will select Merrill instead.

Fredo

12:16

Jason, so what is it that Shelty does so well? Is it his strategic deployment of Rowdy on the mound? Is it his laser-like focus on fundamentals like baserunning and calling off other players on pop flies? Is it his devotion to upper management's statistical approach rather than, you know, having a feel for the freaking game? Inquiring minds need to know. And being a nice guy does not qualify.

Jason Mackey

12:18

I know. I get it. And I have to provide this disclaimer: I'm answering the question, not endorsing the idea of his return. He is well-liked and connections with players. Over the course of 162, managing people in a way where not everyone hates you does matter. I think he's good at hunting matchups and putting his players in position to succeed. I think he actually knows a lot about the game. But to this point, it hasn't translated to his players. Or they don't act like it.

12:18

Jason, in watching the film, I appeared to have zero ability, nada, zilch, to actually, you know, shed a block or two. I know it's only one game, but that was a very poor first game tape on my part. Your thoughts, if any?

Jason Mackey

12:18

I thought you played better than that, PQ. It was also one game. Have zero concern that you'll find it.

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