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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 09.26.24
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Jason Mackey
12:29
It's you. I don't believe any decisions have been made.
Trinkala
12:29
Enjoy your chats Jason.  Do you think the Pirates have enough confidence in Peguero playing short to move IKF to third on a permanent basis?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:30
I think they need to see more than one game. But generally, no. I think they'd probably prefer IKF in that spot. That being said, if Peguero pushes his way into the lineup, I don't think they'd be upset about it. They could easily bounce IKF. Was impressed by him at 3B last night, by the way. Not much you can do with Hayes under contract and untradable, but who knows what happens.
Alex H
12:30
Jason, since you are a baseball aficionado, me being compared to Wally Pipp with Nicky H filling the Gehrig role is a low blow, no?
Jason Mackey
12:31
Think that's a little much at this point, although Herbig has been good. Interested to see what happens on Sunday.
Kevin M.
12:31
Jason, if Shelton is retained, do you see any changes being made to the coaching staff and if so, what would you say they might be?
Jason Mackey
12:31
Yes, I do. They have to. Two biggest target areas for me would be the hitting group and bullpen.
Lark11
12:31
Given his performance in 2024, has Luis L. Ortiz solidified his spot in the 2025 rotation? His spot as part of the foundation of the team going forward?
Jason Mackey
12:32
Yeah, I think so. I think your top 4 next year is Skenes, Jones, Keller, Ortiz and maybe Falter rounding out the top 5. On the periphery that gives you Oviedo, Chandler, Harrington, Ashcraft and Burrows. Not too shabby.
SDWC
12:32
Is there movement currently going on to find Heather Lyke's replacement?
Jason Mackey
12:33
Yes. They hired a search firm and are conducting interviews. It's moving fairly fast from what I understand.
Stash
12:33
Jason, it's hard to keep these Yorke and Cook fellows apart, other than general appearance, position, etc.  Who has the proverbial higher ceiling of these two chaps? And you cannot bail out with short sample size.
Jason Mackey
12:34
I don't think I've seen enough of them to give you an accurate answer. I've maybe been more impressed by Cook, but I also don't know if that's because it's who I've seen more. Rankings-wise, they do put Yorke ahead of good. So, who the heck knows. Not sure it matters.
SDWC
12:34
What is the stimulus for moving Bryan Reynolds to first base?  Is it more his ineptitude in the outfield, or the Pirates ineptitude at finding a competent first baseman?
Jason Mackey
12:35
In the words of Mike Sullivan: Could be a little bit of both. They also haven't moved him. Might be allowing Reynolds to play every day with less wear and tear. Could be oriented toward what they can get in FA. Or, yeah, it might fill what has been a longtime hole. We'll see.
Stash
12:35
Jason, should the era of rotating OL gone out gracefully with The Emperor as a messenger guard?  As a corollary, does Coach T like to do occasional weird sh%t just to annoy your average yinzer?
Jason Mackey
12:36
I'm not sure what you're saying here. I don't think Tomlin tries to annoy your average yinzer, no. I think the offensive line thing is fine when you don't have anyone established. I think it's better when you have someone take the job, which has happened the past few weeks.
PQ
12:36
Jason, I would say I put a breakout-type game on the proverbial tape, no?
Jason Mackey
12:36
Eight tackles would qualify as that, yes. Now hang onto an interception.
Mason
12:36
Hello Jason. Do you think Don Kelly would be given consideration to replace Shelton  if fired or would his association with Shelton be a hindrance?
Jason Mackey
12:37
Think I got this last week, but I think probably the latter. I think if the Pirates moved on, it would probably be in the name of finding a completely new voice. I think he would be given consideration, but I do think the job would go to someone else.
Stash
12:39
Jason, so every self-respecting yinzer, his coaches, many analysts, and most everyone's mom seem to agree that Jones B. had an escape from the doghouse-type game.  Except here come those bastardly PFF guys who give him a fairly poor rating. Do these PFF guys need to score an occasional date or otherwise find some enjoyment in this life?
Jason Mackey
12:40
Umm, I generally enjoy the PFF stuff. I'm guessing that everyone gets mad and calls them stupid if they don't like the grades ... but they're fine with them if they do. I think there's an extensive process there, and I happen to really like it as a resource.
Jeff M
12:40
Does Endy get a year of service time this season?
Jason Mackey
12:40
Yes. And thanks to Ethan Hullihen for the verification. He's the best.
Jeff M
12:40
A lot of talk about the Pirates decision to DFA Rowdy deterring future free agents. However, they mostly only pursue 1 year vets that are just trying to extend their career like Grandal. If they want to get an impact playing they will never outbid other teams. Does it really have any impact on the future?
Jason Mackey
12:41
Yes, it does. You know fans complain about the Pirates never signing anyone to a multi-year contract? That's often because guys won't agree to that here. What they did with Rowdy doesn't help. Then again, the real improvement involves winning more and playing the type of baseball that people actually want to be around.
Wayward
12:41
Jason, Obviously the Bucs bullpen has to be one of this year's biggest disappointments.  Hopefully, with a move back toward his previous success by Bednar aren't the makings of a solid pen still there?  Bednar, Holderman, Carmen, Nicholas, Santana and add a couple of decent lefties?  Seems to hinge on Bednar and to a lessor extent Holderman.
Jason Mackey
12:42
Completely agree. And for better or worse, a lot of the problems with the bullpen have involved pitch-tipping. It should be fixable this offseason. I think the bullpen with some additions could be pretty decent in 2025.
Jeff M
12:42
A person in the national media blasted Nutting and said he felt bad for GMBC. Clearly he didn't do any research that showed how bad GMBC has been. No international prospects, poor drafts and disaster trades. Does working under the limitations of being the Pirates GM excuse how poorly of a job he has done?
Jason Mackey
12:44
Jeff Passan, I know. I've been asked. And no, it does not. As I said earlier, Ben spent $37.55 million this offseason and bought 1.3 bWAR ... with 1.0 of that coming from Cutch. So, .3 bWAR for $32.55 million. Figure, the calculation is about 1.0 WAR = $8 million. Think about that. It's terrible GM'ing. That has nothing to do with Bob. I've also written about the lopsided trades. Look at what the Guardians, Rays and others have done. It's possible to win in a small market.
Joey B
12:45
Jason, let's at least give ole' BC credit for yours truly.  So at least in the neighborhood of 10% of his trades/acquisitions have been on the positive side of the ledger.
Jason Mackey
12:45
For sure. Bart has been outstanding. No arguments here. Opening Day catcher in 2025.
Wayward
12:45
Jason, Other than what is going on with the Penguins what piques yourinterest with the other Metro division teams?
Jason Mackey
12:46
I appreciate you thinking I have that much of a life. Right now I'm working on sleeping more than 5 hours a night or seeing my kids. Hopefully soon I'll be able to delve more into the Islanders.
Wayward
12:46
Jason, how long after the season ends do you anticipate Nutting or the team making changes or validating status quo?
Jason Mackey
12:46
Not long. I would expect by Tuesday or so we should know. I do think Shelton finishes out the year.
Yasmani
12:46
Jason, should I talk to The Big Guy about some sort of off-the-field Splinker Whisperer role?
Jason Mackey
12:47
No. It's time to move on. Thanks for your service. Time to turn that position over to Endy, Henry or both (with Bart still the starter).
Theo
12:47
Jason, can you say what Terry Fracona’s management style/philosphy is compared to Shelton?  Thanks.
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