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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 10.14.22
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Irwin M. "Fletch" Fletcher
12:11
First, a shout-out to the Pitt volleyball team. They're eighth in the country, a legitimate national championship contender, and arguably the best sports team in Pittsburgh. Why do you think teams are so reluctant to admit when they're rebuilding? It took two years for the Pirates to admit this, and the Steelers can't seem to bring themselves to say it. Fans aren't stupid. Just be honest with the fans.
Jason Mackey
12:13
Alright, let's roll. And, yeah, Pitt volleyball is awesome. You may very well be right. ... I think because they fear it affects them at the box office -- which I know is silly. The best things organizations can do is be honest and up front like the Rangers did a couple years ago. BE transparent. Unfortunately that's not the culture around teams. Many treat like this war. It's not. Just be honest.
Irwin M. "Fletch" Fletcher
12:13
In 2003, the Tigers lost 119 games. That off season, they made a big free agent signing in Pudge Rodriguez to accelerate their rebuild. Three seasons later, they were in the World Series. I'm not holding out hope the Pirates would do something similar, but it would go a long way towards the rebuild and winning back the fans. I'm not saying sign Aaron Judge. But a guy like Jose Abreau? Assuming you don't think his home run dropoff is permanent, he would be the type of signing I'm advocating for the Pirates.
Jason Mackey
12:14
Understand your sentiment, Fletch. It's echoed all across town. I think the Pirates know they need to do something and will -- though it won't be Abreu. FWIW, we just got done talking to Ben Cherington, who admitted the guys of their next winning team will have to be homegrown but they would be looking to supplement this offseason.
Guest
12:14
Hey Jason.  Every year the Steelers have become less competitive, less focused, and played with less effort.  Tomlin has shown he is weak at drafting players, developing players, game planning, play calling, and in game adjustments.  Yet we change nothing and the narrative is the isn't the way the Steelers operate.  This organization has become unrecognizable over the past 10 years.  How could this current regime possibly be the group to lead this rebuild?
Jason Mackey
12:16
I'm not big on criticizing things like effort, especially when it comes to the NFL team. Have they played poorly? Sure. Mis-execution, no doubt. Have they stunk because of effort? That's a slippery slope. That said, I don't know what you mean by "this regime." Omar Kahn? He's been the GM for a couple months -- and was a much ballyhooed cap guru before that. We've determined he stinks as GM? Also, Tomlin is an idiot now? There are some people around the league who will disagree. Look, the Steelers have played poorly, no doubt. They've had guys underachieve, they've drafted poorly, etc. All fair. But to make sweeping generalizations on their effort and long-term competency of decision-makers based off of five games ... got a tough time there.
Guest
12:16
It is becoming very clear the Steelers will likely have a top 5 draft pick next year.  While help is needed at OL, DL, and CB - we are know Tomlin loves skill positions.  His drafting is as predictable as his game plans and play calls.  Since one important criteria to him is being related to a current Pittsburgh athlete, would you assume Smith-Njigba would be his pick?
Jason Mackey
12:17
I think we should let more than five games occur before determining that the Steelers will pick in the top-five or not. Not saying they will, but Tomlin has had teams dig out of similar holes before. Is it OK to just wait a couple weeks on this stuff?
Guest
12:17
Hey Jason.  Which team will be worse next year....the Steelers or the Pirates?  While the Steelers have more talent, the team routinely plays below their talent level with this coaching regime.  At least the Pirates players try a little bit.
Jason Mackey
12:18
Oh, man. We have another "They don't try" comment. ... To answer your question, I think the Steelers will be better next year. But I do think the Pirates will improve and produce a win total in the 70s.
Guest
12:18
Hey Jason.  The Steelers game plan and play calling have become more predictable every year.  It took Josh Allen three plays to figure out the Tomlin defense.  I imagine Brady and Arians already already have it figured out.  Will Sunday be another example of keeping the wrong coach when we fired Arians?
Jason Mackey
12:20
I don't know if you mean comparing Tomlin to Arians because the latter is retired. I would also argue that Arians had a better roster than Tomlin has had. Tomlin isn't blameless in that, obviously. But I'm not sure any of us here are qualified enough to compare pure coaching acumen as much as we can recognize a disparity in talent level.
soggy
12:20
Hi Jason  I always enjoy your chats & insight.  Thought I would give you a break from the Tomlin/Canada/Nutting carousel of quuestions. With your expanded role in covering pretty much all sports, any surprises, aha moments, etc.  Also... not sure we would get a straight answer on this one... what is your favorite sport to cover
Jason Mackey
12:21
Thank you for that. Not really, honestly. That expanded role really hasn't included much football. Was at Pitt media day, the Backyard Brawl and a Penn State practice ... Latrobe a couple days and Steelers-Bengals ... but lately I've been basically Penguins and Pirates, which is how it's probably going to stay for a bit. So, no real surprises. I've covered both before.
Donna
12:22
Happy Friday Jason.  Were you surprised that Chavis was removed from the the major league roster and Collins was retained?  I thought Chavis’ position versatility was an asset.  Thank you.
Jason Mackey
12:23
Hi Donna. Same to you. I was not. Chavis was a ~ 90 OPS+ player here. That's hugely replaceable. Believe he was ARB1. They know they need to get more from 1B, and he wasn't doing a ton to help it. I don't look at him playing 2B as a strength. They have younger guys who are more intriguing to me. Would rather see Cruz, Bae and Castro in some order at this point.
Carl in Carrick
12:23
Hi Jason.  If the Steelers continue to lose, they could end having one of the first picks in the draft.  Since there are so many positions of need, what position or player would you draft at this point?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:23
Hi Carl. Whatever they do in the draft, I would like to see the Steelers bolster their offensive line. That's independent of where they pick.
skimak
12:23
Are there any Pirates on the 40 man roster that are going to play in the Arizona Fall League or playing winter ball in the Dominican?
Jason Mackey
12:25
As of now -- and this is off the top of my head -- no, I don't think any 40-man guys are in the AFL. Would not be surprised if you saw Cruz or Castro playing winter ball. Maybe Yerry. I know Roberto Perez will, to show he's healthy.
Darnell
12:25
Jason, according to Ben Cherrington, the Pirates will effort to sign a veteran pitcher for more than one year.  Any thoughts on who that pitcher might be?
Jason Mackey
12:27
Hi Darnell. Yep. I was in the room. I'm still in the room, actually. Same as we could have never predicted Quintana or Anderson, I don't have any projections here. It depends on who's still in need of opportunity at the end and who's willing to pitch here honestly.
Chrissy
12:27
Hi Jason, any update on the Dior Johnson situation?  Is there a possibility of a plea deal with charges reduced to misdemeanors?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:27
I don't have any updates, Chrissy. Sorry. Been pulled in Penguins and Pirates directions. Noah Hiles and Chris Carter are your best bets for news there.
Guest
12:27
Based on winning percentage alone, I predict the Steelers will fall well below the Pirates for the next few years.  Agree?
Jason Mackey
12:28
Sure. None of us really know. I don't understand the need to predict so many things that we have no way of actually knowing.
Stuck-in-Philly
12:28
Good afternoon, Jason.  First, let me say I appreciate the "Steelers Way" and I do not support knee-jerk reactions.  Having said that, it is, I believe, undeniable that either the organization has recently had trouble recruiting and retaining effective assistance coaches OR the structure of the organization has not permitted the assistant coaches to effectively coach.  More to my point, who is the last Steeler you saw evolve as a result of being "coached-up" as opposed to having regressed (e.g., Claypool, Harris).  I am not blaming Tomlin for this, but it does not appear the buck stops anywhere at this time.  Am I missing something?
Jason Mackey
12:30
You bring up a fair point. And thank you for not being silly and reactive. You're talking about players the Steelers have made better. It's fair to say that's a small group and ask some questions. Have said this before, but I don't think Matt Canada is a good offensive coordinator. Shocking, I know. To answer your question, maybe Mike Hilton?
ev
12:30
Sorry Jason, Here is what VanSlyke said, “I would just like to get back to the days where the front office makes an effort to get back to the playoffs,” Van Slyke said. “If you start with an effort, maybe your chances increase. But when you are so disingenuous for 30 years, it’s too obvious. In a lot of ways, a Pirates fan is the best fan in all of sports. I mean, they are selling you the Brooklyn Bridge every year.”  I know you preach patience with the Buccos and their latest rebuild plan, but one wonders how many more excuses and rebuilds we will endure...
Jason Mackey
12:32
With all due respect to Andy, this is a persistent theme with the Pirates and Pittsburgh, really. So something has happened repeatedly in the past, I get it. Where does it say, with new people in charge and a new way of doing things, that it is bound to repeat? I'm not defending the Pirates. They should spend more, and it's fair to ask critical questions. But I'm not the type to say they're gonna perpetually suck because the Pirates. Think about that from a logic or psychology perspective. It makes no sense.
ev
12:32
Jason, I loved what Andy Van Slyke said about the 30 years drought in your rival cross town publication:
Jason Mackey
12:32
This is the comment introducing Slick's comments.
Thomas G.
12:32
It’s coming up on 50 years since Roberto Clemente died on a humanitarian mission.  Is there any sense that MLB may retire his number?  Also, are there any plans to relocate the Clemente museum to a larger venue with better parking? RIP Roberto.  Thanks Jason.
Jason Mackey
12:33
I've heard of no plans to change the physical Clemente Museum, but Duane also does an incredible job and who knows, it's possible they outgrow the space. You hear pushes to have it retired, but nothing official. MLB wouldn't let that slip. I do think it gets done in the next couple of years. I know the Pirates are interested in having that happen.
Benny
12:33
Hey Jason, who do see the starting 8 for the Pirates going into next season?
Jason Mackey
12:34
We'll go Hayes, Cruz, Newman, free agent 1B, Suwinski, Reynolds, Bae, Castro and Perez. Not sure who plays 2B/OF or DHs, but that would be mine nine hitters -- note: not a lineup. Just nine hitters.
Guest
12:35
The Pirates worst winning percentage during the Tomlin era is .352.  The Steelers current percentage is .200 - and bound to get worse.  The narrative by the media is that the Pirates should tear down the entire organization, while the Steelers should remain the same.  Why the double standard?  If any organization needs to clean house, it's the Steelers.
Jason Mackey
12:35
I don't make the narratives my friend. But I will say this: I've heard plenty saying the Steelers should tear it down. I also think we need to acknowledge how the Rooneys prefer to do business. ... The Pirates did tear it down, and now we're talking about the build back up ... to varying degrees of enjoyment, obviously.
PrinceBob
12:36
For most of this season I thought that if the Pirates wanted to try for respectability next year they'd need to get some established major league starting pitchers (I thought a minimum of 2) because their young starters weren't getting it done. You've written similar things I believe. But in the last weeks of the season they looked much, much, better. Do you think the Pirates still need to add established starters or have the young guys shown you enough that you'd think they could be respectable next year going with whom they have?
Jason Mackey
12:37
I think they need to add at least one established starter and address their bullpen. You can never have enough pitching. But I agree, starters looked good the final 5 weeks or so.
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