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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 06.28.24
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Jason Mackey
11:43
Hey, everyone. Thanks so much for checking out my weekly sports chat. Any and all questions. We'll get started shortly.
12:07
And away we go ... meanwhile, if anyone has any sushi recommendations in the South Hills, feel free to comment. Looking for a place.
Anthony
12:07
Any trade insights you can share about what the Pirates are thinking about?
Jason Mackey
12:09
Lotta different things at this point. Teams consider a crap ton of players. They know they need OF help. Lineup isn't good enough. Pitching staff could use some added depth. The nets they cast for this stuff are wide. Different people responsible for different teams. Again, would imagine there isn't a potentially available player they haven't considered, pardon the double negative.
Carl in Carrick
12:09
TGIF Jason.  There has much criticism about the Pirates  base running that has been justified.  I think the Pirates need to watch how Mookie Betts runs full speed to first base on typical groudout.  If a superstar like Betts can do that, the Pirates should be able to run and touch first base on a similar play. Thanks for letting me vent about this.  Any thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:11
I heard this complaint pretty much daily. I don't know what you want me to say or do. The Pirates are not outliers in how they run the bases. Could they be smarter? Sure. They have made some strides. Andrew Destin wrote about them today. The older crowd gets pissed guys are busting it down the line every time. I understand that, too. Although relatively speaking, the Pirates are pretty good with that sort of thing.
Yuri
12:11
Hello Jason.  What is the latest you hear about the Steelers’ radio announcing job?  Do you think Bob Pompeani and Rob King are the favorites or is there a dark horse in the running?  I would think a decision should be made soon.  Thank you Jason.
Jason Mackey
12:12
It should, yes. Surprised it has taken this long. Those are the two names I've heard the most. And, frankly, I have a tough time seeing one of them NOT get it. That would be very outside the norm for the Steelers. That said, I have heard they're looking for someone to have this long for a long time. So, perhaps they could skew younger. (I still think it winds up being one of those two.)
Southside Jimmy
12:12
Hey Jason, hope all is well with you and your family.  I have not heard anything about the survey that was taken to see if there was interest in bringing an NBA or WNBA franchise to Pittsburgh. Have you heard anything?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
12:13
Have not. I/we can look into it.
Gene
12:14
I hope Bart and Delay are the 2 catchers for the ROS. Your thoughts please.
Jason Mackey
12:15
I'm not sure what ROS stands for, Gene. But I would keep playing Delay and see what happens. Then I need to see who's ready first: Henry or Bart. I might tell Bart he needs some extra time on rehab and see. They can kick the can a bit if they want.
Ari
12:15
Hey Jason, having watched Tennessee and Texas A&M in the college World Series, I was wondering who would you would like to see the Pirates take in the upcoming draft.   Thanks.  Go Bucs!
Jason Mackey
12:18
Nick Kurtz from Wake is one. Can they finally development a first baseman? OF James Tibba, Florida State? Wouldn't hate it. I think JJ Wetherholt would be a fun story, though I don't think he'll be around. Also doesn't make a ton of sense positionaly.
Cullen
12:18
I keep seeing stats pop up about Nicky G's speed being among the best on the roster and in the ~90th percentile in MLB (per baseball savant). Has he ever played CF or would the Pirates consider giving him a shot there in the grass? His bat would be great at the premium position and it seemingly would be much easier to replace a 2B internally or via trade.
Jason Mackey
12:19
He grew up playing OF and loves it. I've talked to Nick about this. So far, no, there hasn't been any talk of it. But I don't think it would be too terribly hard for him.
Cullen
12:19
At this point with Keys lingering back problems should the Pirates consider surgical options? I'd much rather them explore that and him miss this season at the beginning of the window vs keep the status quo and him being unproductive and still missing games when the window is wide open.
Jason Mackey
12:19
I'm not a doctor and have zero basis for trying to prescribe a medical procedure. Not going there.
Oscar Marin County
12:19
why don’t the Pirates bring up  (a capable CFer) and DFA Taylor? When Bart is healthy, will he and Grandal (worse than Hedges was last year) be our catchers? What do they have against Delay?
Jason Mackey
12:21
I don't think they have anything against Delay. Similar to Rowdy, they paid Grandal, so they're probably going to exhaust every last option to see if there's something there. But, yeah, I'm no more hopeful than you. ... Who do the Pirates have in the minors that you would call a capable CF? Don't Matt Gorski me. Nothing against Matt, but there's zero guarantee he would come up here and nail down the position.
Tom J.
12:21
Hi Jason - Good night for Pitt Basketball this week with Bubs and Blake going to the NBA. Your thoughts? And, how does this help Coach Capel and the program moving forward? Thanks, Jason.
Jason Mackey
12:22
Yeah, it was. Happy for them. I think it reflects extremely well on Capel and the culture he has created. Little surprised a team wouldn't take a chance on Hinson, but still think it was a solid place to sign. ... I think it should help Capel bring premium guys to the program, further evidence that he can get them to the league. People probably saw Bub this season play well ... then really have his stock take off in part because of Capel's connections.
Cullen
12:22
I know the track record for 1B Only prospects in the first round is spotty at best, with Vaughn and Torkelson being recent examples of relative failures. But if Kurtz is there at 9 we have to take him right? His bat speed, eye, ability to hit to all fields with power are enticing. He also has walked more than he struck out all of his college seasons which is pretty rare. Even if he is vaughn 2.0 the Pirates that wouldn't be the worst outcome at a position with no prospect depth. I know you have to take the best player available in the draft but I'd be pretty enticed if Kurtz is there and would probably take him over the two top 10 prep guys. What do you think? Anyone in the draft catch your eye?
Jason Mackey
12:23
Yeah, I mean, he might be the BPA when they pick. That wouldn't stink. He intrigues me, for sure. There are just so many variables.
Jason
12:23
Hey Jason, Steelers WR chat is heating up again this week. If anything happens will it happen before training camp and if nothing happens will that be a signal they are going into the season with what they have?
Jason Mackey
12:23
No, not at all. This could easily happen later in the summer. I think it needs to, don't get me wrong. But I don't look at it like do-or-die by any stretch.
TVC15
12:23
When the Steelers are on "Hard Knocks" in December, who will be the bigger insufferable, cringeworthy, pompous, blowhard? Russell Wilson or Mike Tomlin?
Jason Mackey
12:24
Oh, boy. Neither bothers me. I actually like both. But I do worry about the hype train there kicking into overdrive. I'm more interested in Najee Harris or George Pickens than those two.
TVC15
12:24
Will both Arthur Smith and Teryl Austin be fired before Teflon Tomlin?
Jason Mackey
12:24
I think it's fair to let Arthur Smith's tenure start before commenting on when it's going to end.
JoeHa
12:24
Hey Jason…What is your level of concern with the way KeBryan Hayes is playing since coming off the DL. It was so good to see him put things together at the end of last season. He doesn’t look like the same player right now. The only thing consistent with him is his glove. This team needs his bat desperately
Jason Mackey
12:25
Not small. He was actually healthy last season. They got him some rest. It hasn't been that way this season. I wonder if he's healthy. Not driving the ball. Has been late in fastballs. Just not good. And agree with you. Gotta hit.
Mr Ed
12:25
In 2013-15, Pirate payroll was $100 million. Ten years later, with inflation and revenue increases I have to believe Nutting would authorize at minimum$100 million for this year’s payroll. According to Spotrac it’s currently $85 million. I think Nutting is as cheap as the next guy but I gotta believe if there is any criticism about payroll this year it should be directed solely at Cherington. Would you agree?
Jason Mackey
12:27
I don't know why we're picking one person. I think Bob would be fine increasing payroll. He wants Ben to find the right deal. I think Ben has been more cautious than he needs to be. It's also his [butt] and not mine. Lastly, they're coming out of a rebuild. Not defending it, mind you. But if they add, get to near $100 million for next season and have finished over .500, is that terrible? I don't think so. ... Bottom line, I think you can criticize them. But saying it's all this guy or that guy strikes me as a little incomplete.
Ray/OC
12:27
Hi Jason, big fan. Is the Jones start being pushed back a day or the whole weekend? Perez starts vs Charlie tonight.  Why not bring Gorski up, play him in CF and send Jack down to Indy to hopefully get straightened out?? Thx!
Jason Mackey
12:28
They're skipping Jones. They need to give those guys breathers. Check out Noah's story today. Not quite sure on Gorski. And more so Jack. I don't understand why they're going this route with him. Looks to me like he needs time.
The Truth
12:28
Will the next few series determine if the Pirates will be buyers or sellers at the deadline? If they unfortunately end up being sellers, who do you see as potential trade candidates?
Jason Mackey
12:29
I have a tough time believing they'll be sellers. Also, what are they gonna sell? I guess if they lose, like, 10 in a row or something, maybe you move Rowdy. Or even Chapman. But I don't think those outcomes are likely at all. I think they stay in it and wind up buying.
Stash
12:29
Jason, HOFs are pretty much a joke across the entire sports landscape, no? I mean Freddy Couples is in the golf HOF because he was a cool, very popular player, and the chicks dug him.
Jason Mackey
12:29
Ummm, I can't comment on the golf Hall of Fame. I don't have as big of a problem as Starkey does with the Hockey Hall of Fame. I think baseball need not try to judge character. Football has a logjam at certain spots.
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