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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 08.14.25
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Jason Mackey
11:29
Hey everyone. Welcome to my weekly chat. We'll get started a little early today -- I have a hockey call at 1 and Steelers practice at 2. Fire away now. I'll be back in about 10-15 minutes to answer.
11:45
Alright, let's get started ...
62 Stack Monster
11:45
Hi Jason, What does Ben Cherington have over Bob Nutting that prevents him from being fired?  Did Bob hire him without Ben signing an NDA?
Jason Mackey
11:46
The obvious Q in town, right? Why is this guy still here? I wish I had a good answer, 62 Stack. My best guess: The Pirates (wrongly) believe they signed up for the full season by bringing Cherington back. Now, they're just limping to the finish line but will move on from him this offseason.
62 Stack Monster
11:47
Hi Jason, Dejan K hinted on his pod cast that when the Brewers' Yelich regressed at the plate a few years back, the Brewers fired their hitting coach and Yelich returned to his hitting ways.  The Pirates then hired that hitting coach, Andy Haines, and well you know the rest.  How much farther and deeper does this ineptitude permeate?
Jason Mackey
11:47
I don't disagree with Dejan. The Andy Haines Effect. Haines was not good. And he was the wrong guy for a lot of young guys; the Pirates as an organization have forced guys to think way too much. They should be preaching more see-ball, hit-ball, and I think that's something that has really hurt them.
Jack
11:48
I asked a few weeks back about your impressions of Jack Sawyer, just looking for updated thoughts.  Do you see him getting meaningful snaps this season.
Jason Mackey
11:49
He's looked solid. Better on running downs than as a pure rusher. Might be a way to split up him and Herbig. But he's squarely on the roster and a plus OLB4 option in my mind. With plenty of runway to get better.
62 Stack Monster
11:49
Jason, Cam Hayward's and Chris Boswell's demands aside, I am becoming less and less of an NFL fan.  I can't afford to attend a game in person.  I refuse to pay Paramount Plus and ESPN's dtc (direct to customer) and other streaming services, Netflix, Prime, to see regular games. I know that the NFL is marketing to the next, younger generation, and to online gamblers, but it's losing my generations, or at least those of my generation who are responsible with their dollars.  This unapologetic monetary grab for the fans' dollars is beyond excessive. It is reminiscent of boxing's marriage to PPV events exclusively and its eventual demise. Is the NFL repeating history to kill its own product?  An autumn afternoon at the beach ( I live in FL) or a senior discount matinee ticket on Sunday and $10 for a bag of popcorn at the movie theater is becoming more appealing.
Jason Mackey
11:49
I don't know what you're talking about or if there's a question in there, but pretty sure the NFL is doing just fine.
Jack
11:49
Does Connor's status on the team impact Cam's negotiations?  Kid is on the bubble and they are very close - would Cam or Steelers even discuss that as part of trying to get a deal done?
Jason Mackey
11:50
I'd sure as hell hope not. And I don't think it does, no. Now, Arthur Smith's desire to have tight ends take over the world, different thing.
House
11:50
Outside of the “There are only 30 GM jobs”, if the Pirates fired Cherrington, would the GM job be considered desirable by any talented baseball person or has the owner ruined it?   Is the position worth it if you cannot even reach a $100 million payroll?  Perhaps the owner knows and that is why the current GM still has a job.  Beautiful park, wish they could field a major league caliber team to play in it.
Jason Mackey
11:52
I think it would be desirable, yes. You know what you're getting here. Also, it's not a death sentence. One of 30, yes. But other teams win on cheaper budgets. The plus here is that you have some key pieces in place, primarily young, talented starting pitchers. It makes what the Pirates are doing that much worse, but if I'm an outside GM with small-market experience, there's no way I let Nutting scare me off of what could be city-wide explosion if this team could find some offense and somehow get good.
Jack
11:52
Is it just me, or is this defense generally just unlikeable?  Massive paychecks, constant renegotiations, big talk, garbage play come crunch time.
Jason Mackey
11:53
It's not just you, but I disagree with you. Now, I get the contract stuff. That's not very likable, though it's really recency bias, right? Watt isn't wrong for wanting money when he's up for a deal. He's earned that. That's what the market bears. My issue is Cam doing this again. Certainly understand the "garbage play come crunch time." No defense for that. I'm not one to get worked up about the talk. You want a group that's confident, no?
Aces High
11:54
Since a salary cap in baseball in a pipe dream and laughable at best, why not punish the teams that over spend the luxury tax by not having a draft pick until the 3rd or 4th round of the draft? This way their farm system isn't loaded and if they want to make trades they would have to give up MLB players or the few good players they have in the minors? Sound dumb? Yeah, so does no cap.
Jason Mackey
11:54
Why would they agree to this? Makes no sense.
11:55
I just don't think you're going get anywhere when it comes to collective bargaining with players when you're screwing around with that many positions.
House
11:55
With college football realignment seemingly in a constant flux, when it all shakes out, where do you think WVU and Pitt land?  If they went to a 48 team top division for college football would those two make the cut based on TV ratings and such do you think?
Jason Mackey
11:58
Whew boy. This is crazy to try and predict. I'll probably be wrong. If they go to 48, I still think they wind up in the Big 12 and ACC. Not sure where else they would go. That being said, my ultimately prediction is probably some whacked out model that we can't even conceive. Seems to be the way things are going.
blockmonoid
11:59
When my son was sick the other day, I took him to a Doctor.  Is there a Doctor we can send the Pirates to?  Just wondering.
Jason Mackey
12:01
I don't know about a doctor, but they could fire the GM who has presided over six years of this nonsense. Pretty good starting point.
Keith
12:01
Hi Jason,  I am confused.  Does sending Dauri Moreta, who pitched decently during his short time up recently, back to Indy make any sense?  It's not like GMBC is bringing up real prospects, just "scrap-heap" finds who are soon DFA'd.  How does this help the club?
Jason Mackey
12:02
Their reasoning was likely they needed the length Shugart can provide. They're also gonna give Moreta an easier transition back from TJ; they could more aggressively use other relievers.
12:03
Now, do I agree with that? No. I'm just answering the question. I think Moreta should be up here, even if he's used conservatively, because I think he can actually be a key piece in the 'pen moving forward.
Soggy
12:03
Good Morning Jason.  Do the Pirates have a culture problem?  A lot of people think just spending more money will solve the Pirates woes.I think there are more deeper underlying issues on the Pirates futility in fielding a competitive team.  Winning solves everything, but you have to have good players to win.
Jason Mackey
12:06
The Pirates have a lot of problems, yes. Think that's failure obviously. Culture can also be a wide range of things.

I've written about all of this and unfortunately don't have the time to rehash 100% of it. But they've suffered from arrogance, being too rigid, making poor decisions, not connecting with fans, not building fan trust and a bunch of other stuff. Obviously chiefly making good baseball decisions and spending a requisite amount of money.

I also know that people hate Nutting, and they should feel however they want. But I'm providing this explanation because I think there are actually good people in that clubhouse and in uniform, and if you say there's a culture problem, it's often reflected on them.
Guest
12:06
I feel Pirates 1st two positions that need a big upgrade No.1 - Catcher and No. 2 is shortstop. I don’t feel they it on the farm system for next year. Your thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:07
They need to find out on catcher. You may be right. Rafael Flores could be an answer. Maybe Henry Davis hits (I know, I know). I think you need to check those out first. They definitely need bats. I'll be honest. I don't even know if I care where they play. Find offense.
Brian
12:07
Odds Ben Cherington gets fired?  If he doesn’t, is it safe to assume it’s because he’s done what Bob Nutting has asked him to?
Jason Mackey
12:07
I still think he's gone. I legitimately don't understand betting odds. Never bet on anything in my life.
JNC
12:07
I feel the Pirates offense have needs at almost every position. I feel the top Two are #1 Catcher and #2 shortstop. I do not see any help from farm system for next year. Your thoughts?
Jason Mackey
12:08
Repeat question: Konnor Griffin bears mention, too. Holding out hope he gets up here next year.
Ryan
12:08
Good afternoon Jason what do you think about the play of Spencer Horowitz he has Looked Good Recently LETS GO PIRATES BEAT THE CUBS THIS WEEKEND
Jason Mackey
12:08
He's been OK, Ryan. Not enough for his position, obviously. But he has been better after a slow start. I like his approach. Just need to see more consistent power.
TheStandardisStability
12:08
Back in 2013 a number of Steelers  said the late arrival in London contributed to their slow start in a loss. Now Rooney says they’re doing the same thing next month. Is the league mandating the travel schedule?
Jason Mackey
12:09
No, the Steelers have their choice. And, yeah, I don't understand it. It's like they're considering that whole thing a fluke. I don't know why they're not going earlier to acclimate.
Brian
12:09
After he’s done coaching, I’ve thought Mike Tomlin would do well in politics. I feel he could win the mayors office or a local district in the state house in a landslide. What say you?
Jason Mackey
12:10
I think there's a 0.000% chance of that happening. If Tomlin ever stops coaching -- huge, huge if -- he's either gonna become a scout, do TV work or disappear into family life. Dude ain't getting into politics, as much as he might whip up word salads.
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