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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 02.13.25
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Jason Mackey
11:32
Hello, everyone. Welcome to my bi-weekly chat. Remember, mailbag next week, chat the following Thursday and so on. You know the drill. We'll get started in about a half-hour.
12:01
And away we go ...
Mark
12:01
Hey Jason.  Appreciate what you do.  Since the Horwitz trade has gone from terrible to vomitable, is that a word?, could Huntington potentially be off the hook for the worst Pirates trade of this millennium (Archer)?  Thank you.
Jason Mackey
12:03
Thanks, Mark. No, I don't think so. And I don't know if that was just Neal. Regardless, we don't know, so it would be silly to render judgement. Part of my over-arching issue with way-too-early trade analysis. Sure, this thing could stink. I hate giving up so much young pitching. But the reality is we just don't know.
Seferg
12:03
Would you rather have a very good, accurate pocket passer with a strong arm or an average passer who is very mobile?
Jason Mackey
12:03
Why do I have to pick?
Jared Hughes Fan Club
12:03
Will Spencer Horwitz play more games for the Pirates than Lonnie Chisenhall did?  I kid. I kid. Ok . A serious question. What do you think of the work Jeff Capel has done? It seems like the program should be better at this point. I'm not saying he should be fired as he did step into a mess when he took the job. However, this is his eighth season. I expected Pitt to be a consistent tournament team at this point than a team that is for all intents and purposes not even on the bubble at this point in the season.
Jason Mackey
12:05
I agree with you, JHFC. I think Capel has done a relatively decent job attracting talent. Certainly got Pitt into a better situation, can't deny that. But should the Panthers be better than they are right now? I think that's fair. Some of the late-game execution -- or lack of it -- has been hard to understand.
Carl
12:05
Hi Jason! What are you predicting win-loss total for the Pirates? I think they will be 82-79.
Jason Mackey
12:06
The best part of this is Carl predicting there will be one game that they just don't make up for whatever reason.
Carl
12:06
If Hayes and Suwinski get back to 2023 form do you actually see the Pirates improving on offense or do you think guys like Triolo or Horwitz need to step up to make the offense better.
Jason Mackey
12:06
Both. They didn't do much externally, obviously. And I do think they can be better offensively. But there's a lot riding on Hayes and Suwinski being the best version of themselves. I'd say probably Hayes more than anyone.
Tommac in Y-town
12:07
Jason:  How can anyone possibly be excited about the Pirates in 2025?  Their only significant upgrade was at first base, (and now he is injured) and a corresponding move has yet to be determined.  Bringing in Pham and Frazier as free agents don't really seem like that much of an upgrade either. Are they banking on Hayes, Suwinski and Davis' bats to suddenly "wake up?" The only thing to look forward to is Skenes pitching every 5th day, and with the lack of offense that they have, they may have a hard time winning games if they don't score.  Does not seem much to look forward to this year...
Jason Mackey
12:08
It's not my job to sell you on the Pirates, Tommac. My thought process on them is generally this: Other teams win on tight budgets: Cleveland, Tampa, etc. This team was 56-54 last year. That's not an insignificant sample. They didn't hit enough or play sound enough fundamental baseball. Is there anything preventing them from using a new offensive approach or improving? I don't think so. They do have a solid amount of very good young pitching. I think the bullpen has more depth. I don't know if it all comes together, but I don't blame people who are curious.
Carl
12:09
Does Cherington actually care about this franchise? He said during winter meetings, "they need to get better on offense." Well, why in the world didn't he get Joc or Profar both affordable guys who would change our team. Finally, if he or Shelton get fired who would be replacing them?
Jason Mackey
12:10
Do you really think someone who has spent a lifetime in baseball is just indifferent to what he's doing? You can criticize his moves. I have. They haven't been good enough, especially trades and free agent signings. But a lack of care is not the issue, Carl. Think about it this way: If you're Joc Pederson or Jurickson Profar, why would you come here? Pirates need to change that. Next up would probably be Don Kelly, I think.
Paul
12:10
Since the Pirates haven't brought in any clear-cut starting position players in the off-season (other than Horowitz), why wouldn't the Pirates just go with players they have like Cook, Yorke, Suwinski, Endy, Peguerro instead of scrubs like Frasier and Pham who are guaranteed to be on the roser? At least the young guys have the illusion of potential.
Jason Mackey
12:13
They might do that. We don't know. I don't expect Frazier to start regularly. I think Pham will play a decent amount, at least against lefties. ... As far as the kids, they should give them a chance, and I think they will. They need to play whoever hits.
Burghfan007
12:13
Hi Jason, What happened to 2B/OF Nick Yorke? He seems to never be mentioned and is a fit for 2B and OF help. Granted he is a RH bat vs Frazier LH bat. He is listed as a top prospect and has not been given near the time as Bae? Is he even part of the plan? Thanks Chris
Jason Mackey
12:14
He could be. If he hits. I can't speak to what you read or see. But I fully expect Yorke to be an option. Right now I just think there are guys ahead of him.
Benson DuBois
12:14
The Steelers have not done a good job of developing players drafted in rounds 4 and later.  Players like Keisel, Hoke, Aaron Smith were great contributors for a long time.  Why are they falling short now?
Jason Mackey
12:15
Not sure that sort of thing happens all the time, but juicing enough talent out of the draft, that's absolutely a fair criticism of the Steelers. Along with not having enough talent at a hugely important position (WR), not seeing the OL develop enough, conservative play-calling, not blitzing enough, poor tackling and a bunch more.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:15
Can the Pirates get out of their own way? The best pitcher in baseball fell into their laps and this is what they bring in to help get over the hump? A journeyman first baseman who probably won't play until July! This is malpractice in a nutshell!
Jason Mackey
12:16
He won't play until July? Don't know about that. But I get your point.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:16
Any whispers at Steeler HQ on whether it will be Fields or Wilson?
Jason Mackey
12:16
I still find it very hard to believe it would be Wilson over Fields.
Jeff M
12:16
Hi Jason, If you are looking for some good BBQ on you next Bradenton trip, I got some really good ribs at Pig Out BBQ last week and have never been disappointed there.               Do you think the Steelers attempts to acquire and extend a big name WR last offseason give us a hint of what they might try to do this year?
Jason Mackey
12:17
Thanks, Jeff, though I plan on being on a seafood diet during my week there (March 8-15). ... And they could have, sure. I'm not sure it was intentional. But they know they need WR help. They haven't fixed the problem. So, yeah, I expect them to try again.
Dan N
12:17
Makes too much sense…Pirates pitching for Red Sox hitting …agreed ?
Jason Mackey
12:17
I don't know enough about their farm system, but the Pirates need bats. Preferably major league ones.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:17
What will Crosby think when he has to come back and play with a crappy team after playing with the best players in the world? If I were him, I would secretly demand a trade to a contender. He can't want to stay through this horrible rebuild, can he?
Jason Mackey
12:18
Wouldn't shock me if he does. Crosby is fiercely loyal and routine-oriented, you may have heard. I also wouldn't begrudge him for saying that he wanted to win, but I think it's more likely he feels a responsibility to turn things around here.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:18
Are the Pirates doing the dumpster dive again during spring training where they look to add a player that has been cut by another team? When will this madness end? Can't believe MLB hasn't stepped in and told Nutting that he at least has to try to put a team on the field instead of raking in the profits from revenue sharing right?
Jason Mackey
12:20
Yeah, I wish MLB made public how much came in via revenue sharing and where it went. The Pirates contend what you mentioned isn't happening. When people see the payroll, you can't help but wonder, right? I get the frustration, believe me. They didn't have a good offseason. I also think their fortunes have always been tied to internal development. Even more so now.
Aces High
12:20
How is GMBC still the GM of this baseball team? What has he done in his years as GM to improve this ball team? Bad trades and free agent signings along with one of the most disappointing off seasons in years. Skenes fell into his lap btw. Bad News Pirates. Credit to Joe Starkey. Just wow.
Jason Mackey
12:20
I'm not about to defend it. I've written extensively about trades, bad FA signings, poor drafts, etc. It's not good. I will read Joe's column after this.
Sunner in Orlando from Lebo
12:21
Do the Panthers have a coaching problem with Capel or is it a player issue as the roster is thin and cannot compete with the big boys? I think it is both and Capel is responsible for both aspects. He should be out after this year after they miss the tourney again.
Jason Mackey
12:21
He's not gonna be out. Too much left on the contract, too hefty of a buyout. And I don't like putting it one place or another. There's enough blame to go around. But should this continue, I don't see how you can't look at Pitt men's hoops and think there's something that warrants additional attention. Not where it should be.
Hope Springs Eternal
12:22
Just for fun: give me the Jason Mackey prediction for the following players on the following scale for the upcoming year: (1) Plus major league player, (2) Average performer, (3) Disappointment, (4) Back to the minors.
Guest
12:22
If Nutting isn’t willing to spend the money necessary to field a competitive team, I hope the Pirates quickly trade Skenes. The kid potentially is a 200+ career wins pitcher, unless he has to spend too much time in Pittsburgh purgatory.
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