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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 05.17.24
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Jason Mackey
11:31
Hello, everyone. And good morning from Wrigley Field, where I'm going to do my chat from the stands. Rough life, huh? Need to chat with Jameson Taillon after his bullpen, so I'm going to disappear around 12:30 p.m. for about 10 minutes. But will be back shortly thereafter. Feel free to fire away now. Will be back at noon to chat.
12:07
And away we go ...
Cam
12:07
Jason, should the average yinzer have any issue with my hardball tactics?  Do I realize that I'm getting up there in age, have significant groin issues, and have made enough jack that the next five generations of Heyward's can live on easy street (assuming a conservative 7% return on investment)?
Jason Mackey
12:09
I've gone back and forth in my head on this. On one hand, it's hard to criticize Cam Heyward for this. There have been few better Steelers of late, since the Super Bowl group. Awesome person and member of the community. But, yeah. Business-wise, not sure I see this. Not sure what it says leadership-wise. I can also see why fans would be annoyed. I think the best scenario is probably for Heyward to sit down with the Rooneys and figured out how to fix this. There should be a solution.
62 Stack Monster
12:09
How can Ro be traded when he was DFA'd?  I thought that DFA meant you gave up rights to the player to be a free agent.
Jason Mackey
12:10
DFA means you put a player on waivers. Teams can put in a claim. They can then work out a trade. Think of it as various levels. It is a convoluted process. It's relinquishing rights to an extent, but can be tough to predict where that player goes.
Caitlin
12:10
Jason, did I really have ten turnovers in my pro debut?  I'm still trying to digest the whole situation.
Jason Mackey
12:10
Hasn't been long, but Clark's struggles with Indiana have been odd. Again, just chalking this one up to a short sample.
Chuck
12:10
What's happening with the Pirates is ridiculous. Team is spiraling, taking a big step BACKWARD from last season, and are wasting one hell of a SP 1-2-3. Why hasn't anyone been held accountable yet?
Jason Mackey
12:12
I'm not sure how they haven't been. We criticized. I spent my entire podcast saying exactly what you're saying. I've written multiple columns critical of their offense and development with Roansy. So have Joe and Paul. The hold accountable thing is a weird fan dynamic. It's like you don't do it unless the results change. No. Us criticizing them is different than them playing better.
Guest
12:12
Since every player and their brother has a podcast now, do you make interns listen to them for any nugget of information?
Jason Mackey
12:13
No, we don't. I think to a degree, beat writers keep an ear to the ground with that stuff. It's really just in the NFL. Unless I missed Jansen Harkins' podcast on the hockey side. I might have.
Nicky G
12:13
Jason, are you prepared to say that my time has arrived?  Or do we need to let it play out a tad longer?  And if indeed my time has arrived, do we shop Peggy and perhaps add a young arm for a legitimate 1st base prospect?
Jason Mackey
12:13
Have liked what I've said, but has looked good so far. Liked the swing last night.
62 Stack Monster
12:13
Is there a defensive component to Tellez' game that Cherington admires?  Tellez hit 35 in 2022 and 21 in 2019.  Other than those two years, he had unimpressive power numbers, so why did we bank on this guy hitting?
Jason Mackey
12:14
Not really. He's been fine defensively, but that hasn't been his calling card. I think they're just trying to be patient. Have to imagine that patience has run out or is darn close.
PrinceBob
12:14
Here's a question born from the cynicism one can develop from being a Pirate fan since 1959. Where does Contreras finish in next year's Cy Young Award voting?
Jason Mackey
12:15
A Pirates fan who's a cynic? No way! Assuming you mean if he doesn't win it? I think Ro will figure it out. But Cy Young next year, that would be a lot very soon.
Scottie
12:15
Jason, I don't think you do the golf thing, but do you have any general advice for a guy with a previous untouchable reputation that inexplicably finds himself in trouble with the Louisville PD?
Jason Mackey
12:15
Man, that was something to wake up to, huh? I have gotten into it more. Actually gonna start playing some when I get home from Chicago.
Guest
12:15
When do you think Ben will realize that Andy Haines is terrible and that Milwaukee got rid of him for his inability to actually coach at this level? Is it a coincidence that Rowdy has been terrible every year Haines was his hitting coach?
Jason Mackey
12:16
I think you're crossing frustration wires with Tellez and Haines, but I get your point. Also, this gets lumped on Andy ... perhaps a little unfairly. It's organization-wide. It's not just him, although yeah, the offense hasn't been good enough. They need to be more aggressive. I think Tellez has simply underperformed, and it may soon get to the point where they need the roster spot for something else.
PrinceBob
12:16
I'm a little surprised to see that you're at Wrigley now because I thought the new role meant you wouldn't need to travel nearly as much as you'd done. How much travel for you now is elective versus required?
Jason Mackey
12:17
It depends on the story. With Skenes starting here, that helped. I love the travel. I miss it. But we're also trying to be as smart as possible with money, the same for every media company. I appreciate how much our place backs that.
Quinn
12:17
Jason, did I deserve to get banished to the midwestern portion of the US?  I finally started to show some signs of not being a complete bust, no?
Jason Mackey
12:18
It may be more functional than anything. The six-man rotation with so many off days and a bullpen that needed arms ... just kinda didn't work. You did show signs. I don't think we've seen the last of you by any stretch.
Lynn’s Swann
12:19
We can’t possibility expect to have a good offense without a legit #2 WR, can we? Expecting a 3rd round WR to come in and start right away, while possible, is not a good plan, right? Even Hines Ward didn’t start his first year.
Jason Mackey
12:20
Umm ... I think they can have a good offense. Now, is it best to deploy Roman Wilson as a No. 2 receiver right away? I'd say probably not. Would really like them to add depth -- legit depth, not a hope -- at WR. More so than any other position right now, honestly.
Jake
12:20
Jason, in my mind, am I staying in Carolina?
Jason Mackey
12:20
Yeah, that's my expectation. Don't see how a Pittsburgh reunion would be possible.
Bob’s Walk
12:20
what should we do with Jack Suwinski and Howdy Rowdy? Send one to AAA and one to the couch? Is Bae’s AAA performance legit?
Jason Mackey
12:21
I think they're going to let this series play out, right or wrong. If both continue on this path, would imagine you see a Rowdy DFA and Jack to Indy. And I don't know about Bae. It might be. It might be a mirage, too. Haven't seen it every day, but if he's making regularly contact and running the bases better, he can help a team.
Ryan
12:21
What do you think of Nick G so far? His hands are so quick. Defiantly something to work with there. Attendance really seems down this year for us looks like we will be losing  money so time to lower payroll next year!!!
Jason Mackey
12:22
It's May 17. I don't know how you can react to payroll at this point. Way, way too early. Nick G. has looked good so far. Pitch selection has been better. The hands are part of it, sure.
Jack S.
12:22
I have struggling at the plate, I know that Coach Haines is getting a lot of heat for it, but is there a thought that maybe I should go down and get a chance to rediscover my swing like Henry is trying to do?
Jason Mackey
12:22
Would have to imagine we're close. It can change in a hurry, but did not look good last night.
Yoshimi
12:22
Jason, am I correct in my assumption that The Flaming Lips are a little too out there for your musical predilections?
Jason Mackey
12:22
Have never listened to them, no.
Guest
12:22
Why all the whining about the Steelers’ schedule? If they were half the team they used to be, they would embrace the challenges and rise to the level of their opponents. Obviously, they haven’t done that for a long time. Is this just a way to build a new excuse for Tomlin when he fails again? It seems that there is an excuse every year to blame failures on everything but him.
Jason Mackey
12:23
The "whining" is from fans and idiots like me. Not players or Tomlin. Also, my complaint about the schedule isn't relative to the Steelers. I just think it's dumb and flies in the face of player safety to play three games in 11 days. I have no issue with games on Christmas or division games or anything like that. I just think that cluster of events is too much and prioritizes money over health.
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