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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 10.03.24
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Jason Mackey
11:54
Hey everyone. Thanks for joining my weekly chat. Lots of Qs in the hopper. Let's get rolling.
epiballo
11:54
Hey Jason - thanks for the chats! What is your take on the Cherrington's end-of-season press conference?
Jason Mackey
11:55
Of course. And ... (Kevin Stallings voice) ... wouldn't call it great. I wrote a lot on it, which I'll link. But overall, I think there's a gigantic gap between how the Pirates see themselves and how everyone sees the Pirates. That's a problem. If they care about winning, it's sure tough to tell right now. Which stinks because there are a lot of quality people in the organization who do want to do their jobs well.
Wayward
11:55
Jason, Are the Bucs done with staff changes?  Given some of the poor fundamental play I anticipated a change around baserunning, etc...   Also, how much of the developmental problems should fall on John Baker?
Jason Mackey
11:57
Not done with staff changes, no. But the big ones, seems like it. Cherington yesterday: "I made the recommendation to Bob and Travis about both the changes that we’ve already announced on the major-league staff and also the recommendation to go forward with Shelty and the rest of the group. That recommendation was supported.” ... Leads me to believe Shelton and the rest of the group (major league staff) is coming back, unless they pursue other opportunities. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if they moved John Baker and changed oversight of the minor league system. Would fit with other processes they've tried to improve, and I believe it's warranted.
epiballo
11:57
If the Steeler running game is designed for lateral movement by the running back to find the hole (Warren, Patterson), why do they use Harris whose style is to hammer the line? Can't they scheme for each running back's style?
Jason Mackey
11:58
Umm ... not sure I agree with you there. Steelers offense has been best with a guy who hits the hole quick and hard. That's more Warren and Patterson than Harris.
epiballo
11:58
In your view, have the Penguins done enough to make the playoffs and give the 'big three' one more run at a cup? And who do you see as being an unexpected impact player this year? Thanks!
Jason Mackey
11:59
Lemme start from the back. And great question. ... Unexpected impact player ... Can I go Tristan Jarry here? I think he's going to be very good. But more out of the blue ... I'll say Kevin Hayes. I think he revives his career here. I think they have enough to get to the playoffs. But, no, I don't see how someone could make a case that they're deep enough for any sort of run. IMO, best-case scenario is winning a round.
Seven
11:59
Hello Jason, thanks for your great work and the time. Excellent column on Pete Rose the other day. Had the Pirates signed him, they probably wouldn't have traded with the Cubs for Bill Madlock during the 1979 season and you wonder if they would have won the World Series that year. Madlock was fantastic. My question is that you turned that column around very quickly. Do you have an arrangement with guys like Blass and Tekulve, or Joe Greene about football, so they will respond to your calls quickly for last-minute stories?
Jason Mackey
12:09
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed the Rose column. That was a fun one. Between that and the Haines news breaking, and having to file for early morning, got to bed about 3 a.m. ... sorry for the delay, folks. Just got an unexpected work call I had to take.
12:10
I don't know if there's any sort of agreement. But at least with Blass and Teke, we have a good relationship. Can't say I know Mean Joe super well, but I have his number, we chatted about Lambert and more, and he was gracious enough to answer when I called about Three Rivers. These guys also know when something happens that their phone might be ringing.
Seven
12:10
What concerns you about Pitt's football game with NC this weekend? Holstein has been terrific, but without him the Panthers are a very average-looking 2-2 team.
Jason Mackey
12:12
The fact that it's in Chapel Hill, No. 1. Also that North Carolina hasn't looked very good ... but I think actually has a pretty good team. Tar Hells are gonna get right at some point. Third would probably be stopping the run. Omarion Hampton has produced a bunch.
Seven
12:12
Some talk about the NHL playing too many exhibition games as the  injuries mount. Valid observation in your opinion? Will the Pens injuries affect their early season performance to the extent that it could hamper their playoff chances?
Jason Mackey
12:13
Oh gosh yeah. It's ridiculous. I don't think it hampers playoff chances. Season's too long. But you don't need 7-8 preseason games. Should be four, max. Two for young guys, two for kids.
Not kids, vets. Sorry.
Seven
12:13
Who do you like, Steelers or Cowboys on Sunday night?
Jason Mackey
12:13
Steelers
Seven
12:13
I know you will get a bazillion Pirates questions today, but my feeling is if they are just going to replace a couple of coaches then very little is going to change going into next season,barring some unlikely big-money free agent signings. I don't think the fans are going to stand for deck-chair rearranging this time.
Jason Mackey
12:14
Seven, you're in more questions-than-my-wife territory ... don't disagree with you there. My sense on fan feelings right now is a whole heap of frustration. Like not just mad but approaching apathy, which is scary.
How many days until p/c report :)
12:14
Out of the following 10 options, how many (names not necessary) will begin the 2025 year in the Pirates bullpen and how many in Indy (assuming 5 will be starters): Skenes, Jones, Keller, Ortiz, Falter, Oviedo, Burroughs, Chandler, Ashcraft, Harrington. In other words, will the Pirates look for some bullpen help from their surplus of starting pitchers.
Jason Mackey
12:16
No, I don't think they will. The young guys need to pitch. I don't expect Chandler, Ashcraft or Harrington to make the rotation out of spring training. They need to pitch. Obvs Skenes, Jones, Keller and Ortiz are in. The middle ground is Oviedo, Burrows and Falter. You could keep Oviedo and Falter, then start Burrows in the minors and let him pitch his way up. Or keep everyone and get non-traditional because Oviedo and Burrows are coming off TJ.
Gene
12:16
TJ Watt who I think is the best OLB in the NFL was invisible against the Colts. Why did that happen and if doubled team then why not adjust by moving him around?
Jason Mackey
12:17
Fine point. But that doesn't guarantee one-on-one matchups, right? Not like teams just give up when Watt moves. It's a chess match. I heard one assessment that Watt actually played well when it came to clogging lans generating pressure; he just didn't have the numbers to show for it. It's also TJ Watt. He's gonna be OK.
epiballo
12:17
Hey Jason - disregard my Pirate questions; just read your article on the Cherington press conference. Thanks!
Jason Mackey
12:17
All good.
Henry Hill
12:18
Hi Jason; where do you rank the Pirates' season on the list of their most disappointing since you've been covering them?
Jason Mackey
12:18
The most disappointing. Not close. 2019 was nuts and sad ... but at least they realized it. 2020-22 were rebuild years. Last year, 14-win jump. I'm OK with that. This one, woof.
Seven
12:19
Wanted to say how much I appreciate your honest appraisal of the Pirates front office, starting with your call for Nutting to either put up or get out of Dodge. Also, reading between the lines of your column about Cherington's post-season presser, you conveyed most Pirates' fans' frustration about the GM's mediocre or worse performance of the past several years. There is little that we as fans can do about this mess, except to skip the games, but at least you have added a sense of legitimacy to our discontent. Bravo!
Jason Mackey
12:19
Thank you for the kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the column. I tried very hard to give this whole thing a chance as a beat guy. I do think it's possible to win on a budget (seeL Guardians, Rays, etc.) But also not about to pretend things are going great when they're not.
Jeff M
12:20
I am sure we will see a lot of prospects appear in the NHL this year. Do you think any of the Penguins prospects have a chance to be meaningful contributors to the team this year?
Jason Mackey
12:21
Some. I would really hope Poulin can find something. I've barely noticed Puustinen. I like St. Ivany a lot, but I don't know if he fits what you're talking about. Ponomarev could easily come up and help. I think it'll be tough longer-term for Blomqvist to stick considering Ned and Jarry ahead of him, but early on, I think he can absolutely have an impact.
Jeff M
12:22
Does GMBC sound like leader that is completely lost and does not know how to move forward? Any time he talks it makes me feel even more hopeless.
Jason Mackey
12:23
Not sure that's how I'd describe him. I think he comes across as someone who thinks he has it all figured out. And, hey, if you're winning and things are going great, by all means. But it hasn't quite been that.
Jeff M
12:23
Will they non-tender De La Cruz? He wasn't good but 21 HRs is tough to throw away.
Jason Mackey
12:23
No. I fully expect them to tender him.
Jeff
12:23
I have a feeling that Cherington may have gotten an ultimatum from Nutting that 2025 has to be a winning season or goodbye to him and his on field staff. Did you hear that in some of his answers?
Jason Mackey
12:23
No, I didn't. I didn't sense enough urgency for where they're at right now.
62 Stack Monster
12:23
Hi Jason, Does the next 5-year plan begin sooner or later, and will it involve trading Paul Skenes?
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