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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 07.31.25
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Jason Mackey
11:32
Hey, everyone. Welcome to my weekly sports chat. A lot to discuss today. You know the drill. Fire away now. I'll be back at noon to answer everything.
12:02
And away we go ...
Just The Truth
12:02
When was the last time there was a "true" camp competition for a starting role? MT seems to set his lineup before the first snap of OTAs. He then never wavers unless injuries force him to.
Jason Mackey
12:04
It has been a little bit -- you're right. Don't know if we would call Kenny/Mitch/Mason a competition, but that would probably be my answer. I also don't think it's unique among pro sports teams. Has become kind of a myth anymore; teams are often built over the offseason, and only small tweaks happen during training camp.
Will
12:04
Jason,
Jason Mackey
12:04
Will,
Will
12:04
I'm an old timer and have no idea what the difference is between a curve ball and a sweeper. I know they're different but how?
Jason Mackey
12:05
Good question. A curveball is more overhand break, 12-to-6. Think sweeper as more of an elongated slider. It's kind of a nebulous pitch term, as some sweepers can be a little slurvy. But curveballs are more vertical break, sweeper horizontal.
the general
12:05
Jason,  what do you consider to be a success for the Buc's for the rest of 2025 - playing 500 at plus baseball?
Jason Mackey
12:06
Sure. I think it's more individual, though. I want to know what they have in Henry Davis. Maybe Jack Suwinski. Can they find improvement with individual players, setting up 2026? We saw a strong finish in '23 translate to nothing in '24. I think those sorts of things can be overblown. But I do see value in guys getting reps and getting an opportunity to show they've improved.
Will
12:06
I've never seen MLB hitting as bad as it is in today's game. Is it the fact that they hitter only sees the pitcher basically once during the game or is it the analytics? I think the analytics has ruined baseball. Baseball's a game not a science.
Jason Mackey
12:09
I get that it's annoying how there's an over-reliance on some of that stuff. Fair. Feel has been lost. But there has always been science in the game. Hitting-wise, I think you're seeing guys take upper-cut swings, trying to lift the ball and back-spin it. It's not as much about contact, which is a shame. Strikeouts used to be embarrassing. They're just part of the game now. Combine that with the quality of pitching, and I think you get what you're seeing today.
Mr Ed
12:09
Assuming the Pirates keep Keller and Bednar today, and dating back to the Tigers series, if the Pirates finish say, 35-27 rest of the way, would that sway your opinion on retaining  Cherington? More importantly, do you think it would sway Nutting? Since May 20, they are playing at an 85-77 pace. Since Nutting seems to have extraordinary patience, I tend to think Nutting will focus on that and keep him.
Jason Mackey
12:11
No, it would not change my opinion on Ben. I also don't think they're going to do that. The same for Pirates owner Bob Nutting. Unless they magically finish with more than 76 wins, which they won't, it will be a failure of a season. And even that it kinda would be because the expectation was over .500 and challenging for a playoff spot. Six years, it has been long enough to expect results.
Ray/OC
12:11
Jason:  Why is the Key trade underwhelming??  Reds kid SS is their # 9 prospect.  Don't the Bucs have the #1 SS prospect in Baseball with Konnor coming up?  No corner INF or OF's available?  Bucs need to draft some linebackers..  Did the drafted LSU 1B sign with the Pirates?  Thx!!
Jason Mackey
12:12
I don't think the Hayes trade is underwhelming. I'm completely fine with it. Surprised they got what they did, honestly. Hayes had the second-lowest wRC+ among all position players. Has had persistent -- and serious -- back issues. Owed $30 million over the next 4 years. Did you see that fetching a huge return? I didn't.
Yes, Jones signed.
Daquido Bazzini
12:12
Jason… I can understand why the Pirates refrained from letting Paul Skenes do any hitting as a rookie, but why not even a word about it these days? As much as they need offense, it would certainly make sense.
Jason Mackey
12:13
They gave him the option. He didn't want to do it. He still doesn't. Says he's a better pitcher focusing on just that. I have no issue catering to what Paul wants. He seems to have a pretty good plan going.
John
12:13
Do the Pirates have a hitting philosophy that is consistent throughout the organization?  It seems that they have one for pitching that has been successful.  It has been difficult to watch them at the plate this year. Chasing bad pitches, trying to pull everything instead of going with a pitch. A lot of soft contact also.
Jason Mackey
12:14
They say they do. It obviously hasn't been good enough. Nor can I articulate to you what it is. The whole hitting aspect has been a struggle and needs overhauled this offseason.
Jack
12:14
Any insight on Jack Sawyer's performance early in camp?
Jason Mackey
12:14
I was out there for one day because of Chuck & Cooperstown, and it got rained out. I'd be lying if I gave you a substantive answer. I'm sorry. Next week.
PhilinCT
12:14
Mr. Mackey, first off, truly special articles on Dave Parker and Chuck Conko. Always good to read about another side of sports, especially when you do it. It's mid 2026 and Konnor Griffin is still producing (at whatever level). Does GM J. Mackey bring him to Pittsburgh for a cup of coffee (or more)?
Jason Mackey
12:16
Thank you. That might be aggressive, but sure, why not? Griffin hasn't seemed fazed by anything. I'd say there's at least a chance. Not predicting it's gonna happen, but he's an impressive kid & obviously has a ton of ability.
Jack
12:16
If you had to choose a coach for a must win game, Arians or Tomlin?
Jason Mackey
12:16
Would depend on my roster.
Joel
12:16
Jason, in his thoughtful lead by example way Paul Skenes has de facto called out management for not doing enough to build around the pitching staff, which he leads. Given Skenes’ national profile, I’m wondering if his speaking out will make a difference in the owner’s approach?
Jason Mackey
12:17
Paul has talked about adding before, but yeah. He wants to win. He has the most powerful voice in that clubhouse & knows it. They need to prevent that. I think there's more to it than what Paul says, but it sure doesn't hurt to have him use his voice more. I love it.
Joel
12:17
This is probably the wrong moment to ask this question, since the trade deadline is not over yet, but is there any chance that Cherington survives this debacle of a season? I realize that he has to put on a brave front regardless, but he’s not coming across as dead man walking.
Jason Mackey
12:17
I would be stunned if he's retained.
Wayward
12:17
Jason, thanks for the chats.  What's your take on the Bucs transactions so far?
Jason Mackey
12:18
About what I expected, Keith. Ferguson netted a lottery ticket. I expected them to trade Hayes. If anything, they got a little more than I thought they would. I think we'll see Pirates general manager Ben Cherington make a couple more moves before 6 p.m.
Keith
12:18
Hi Jason, enjoy your writing.  Something I don't understand.  IKF is said by all to be a complete ballplayer.  For most of the season he ked the Pirates in hitting (heard they need that), but they are ready to jettison him for probably a lottery ticket without any discussion of even a 1 or 2 year extension.  Why don't they even try to re-sign him...there's nobody coming up from Indy to replace his bat and possibly his glove and baseball acumen?
Jason Mackey
12:18
He's not interested in re-signing here. This offseason, he will have other options, and i expect him to pursue one of them. If you know you can't re-sign a guy, why wouldn't you trade him?
Country Roads JP
12:19
Hi Jason, I’m amongst the majority happy with the Hayes trade but does anyone think the Pirates can develop the shortstop they received in return…anyone remember Hudson Head
Jason Mackey
12:20
I know. Wrote about that. Saying he's a top-10 prospect 1) doesn't mean much because so were Head, Marcano, Eddy Yean, etc. 2) The Pirates also haven't been good at all developing hitters. But I don't care. I would rather them spend $7 million on a bat than a Gold Glove-caliber third baseman. If they're not gonna spend a ton -- which is an unfortunate reality -- then I think they need to be careful about how they're spending what little they do, if that makes sense.
Jim Murphy
12:20
I thought we were trying to compete in 2026, and we are getting 19 and 20 year old prospects who are years away and beyond Skenes’ time here with the team. Is this another example of Cherington “saving his pennies for someday” Billy Joel “My Life” reference?
Jason Mackey
12:21
Been over this, Jim. The Pirates need offense. I agree with you. But it was never going to come from the Hayes trade. Free up the money, then have a different GM chart a path this offseason.
James
12:21
If Cherington is let go, do the likes of Dewey Robinson and Justin Horowitz automatically leave with him? I don't see why we need to throw the figurative baby out with the bathwater. I'd like to see both of the aforementioned continue on with the organization.
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