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Jason Mackey's sports chat: 09.26.24
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Jason Mackey
12:02
Hey everyone. Getting started shortly. Sorry, also working on a Sunday column.
Cullen
12:08
Why did the Pirates seemingly abandon their player centric development for a one size fits all hitting philosophy? You've touched on this recently but they have clearly tried to get every hitter to follow the org hitting philosophy, to many hitters detriment. Meanwhile they allow every pitcher to pitch to their "best stuff in zone" and individual strengths to much success. I know you have to be delicate with questions to protect relationships to do your job, but I think asking them this directly backed by all the facts that you've previously reported is the least they can answer for after this season.
Jason Mackey
12:08
Alright, here we go. The first of 92 questions from Cullen ...
12:10
(I kid, I kid) ... I don't know, honestly. It's exactly what they said they wouldn't do. I think the reality is that we probably got sold some good-sounding lines. I hope they get back to development that's best for the individual. I can't see how a one-size-fits-approach works.

Also, I don't need to be delicate with questions to protect relationships. Happy to ask Ben next time I'm able.
Greg
12:11
Hi Jason, I'm looking forward to the 12 team college football playoff this year. I don't believe any player has ever opted out when it was a 4 team playoff. Do you expect to see potential 1st round picks opt out of the 12 team playoff or will players feel obligated to try and win a championship ? Thanks !
Jason Mackey
12:12
I don't think they will -- and I'm also excited. I think that's why they did it, no? Try to get guys to participate. I'm one of those who actually wants to see it go to 16, but I'm good with 12 for now. I'd be surprised if the CFP had any opt-outs.
Cullen
12:12
Jared Jones seemed to be possibly pitching through an injury in his last start with his velocity way down. Please tell me it's just fatigue after a long season and he won't need TJ?
Jason Mackey
12:12
I'm not a doctor, and I'm not gonna try and play one in a chat.
Benson DuBois
12:12
Assuming his calf ever heals, what do you think of a relief role for Russ Wilson?  I think he has the better skill set than Fields to lead a late comeback, while Fields has earned the right to start.
Jason Mackey
12:12
The Pirates do need bullpen help. It's an interesting idea.
12:13
(And, no, I wouldn't rotate him in. If Fields wins and plays well, I'm not messing with that.)
Cullen
12:13
For as good of a coach as Tomlin has been why does he not have a "coaching tree" like Belichick or Shanahan?
Jason Mackey
12:13
Would argue he doesn't have as much success hiring assistants or doesn't hire the right ones. Probably the reason for the playoff drought as much as it is for the lack of tree.
Cullen
12:13
Pirates have a great problem in that they have too many good SP options for to few rotation spots in the coming years. Who (in the current rotation, upper level prospects) are the most likely candidates to transition into the bullpen, higher leverage spots, or be traded?
Jason Mackey
12:14
You can never have too much starting pitching. I wouldn't transition any of them, to be honest.
I mean ... maaaaybe Falter. But even then, I like having the lefty. And Oviedo could be used conservatively coming back from TJ. But I'm not changing anything unless I absolutely have to.
Guest
12:14
Jason, do u anticipate the Pirates actually signing any free agents this coming off season? If so, what spots do deem
most likely to be addressed
Jason Mackey
12:16
I do. Remember, they spent $37,550,000 on trades/FA signings this past offseason. That's Grandal, Taylor, Cutch, Olivares, Gonzales, Perez, Chapman and Tellez. Wasn't good spending mind you, but they did spend some. Do that again. And I would say you have to add offense, first base or outfield, and at least one reliever, preferably two, along with a Cutch return. That would be my list.
Larry McWilliams Fan Club
12:17
Sorry for the Pirates question. Why does Bob Nutting want to own the Pirates? It can't be to make money. Selling the team would be a far more profitable thing for him to do. It can't be to win because he's shown zero interest in doing what is needed to compete. The only other thing I can think of is the cachet of being the owner of a team. But when your fan base thinks so little of you, and while I suspect many of his fellow owners might personally like him, they also would not be disappointed in new ownership for the Pirates. I fully understand he's not selling. I'm just interested in your opinion as to why he wants to remain as owner.
Jason Mackey
12:18
I've asked him this. I don't know what to make of the answer, but he thinks of it as a legacy business. Something he needs and wants to keep in his family. But I agree with you. If you're Bob, you could easily cash out for over $1 billion.  Look at what recent MLB teams have fetched. The last: Baltimore, 2024, $1.725 B. Not sure there's a magic answer for your question.
demosthenes98
12:18
After what the Pirates did to Rowdy Tellez, why should any free agent, any draft pick, any international amateur sign with them until there's a new owner? If you sign with this team, you WILL be nickel-and-dimed. Period, end of report.
Jason Mackey
12:19
Because they might not have another option or the Pirates are offering playing time. That's the answer. But I get your point of worrying about it, hence why I wrote what I wrote.
SPACEMAN
12:19
Pitt football prediction against the strung-out NC Tar-Heels?
Jason Mackey
12:19
I think Pitt wins. Let's go 47-20.
demosthenes98
12:19
Given the character of Pirates management, how certain are we that Pirates Charities is a legitimate charity as opposed to a tax dodge? Has this been independently confirmed by investigative journalists, whether from the PG or another paper? If not, wouldn't this be a great offseason project for Noah Hiles and Andrew Destin?
Jason Mackey
12:20
I think you're making some assumptions with the character of Pirates management, but I support making sure all of those things on the up and up and will definitely bookmark your suggestion as something to tackle down the road. (I honestly don't know if it's been done before or not, but I would be happy to look into it.)
Black N Gold
12:20
If the Steelers fail to win a playoff game that will be 8 years in a row. How many are too many? 9? 10? 12? Will Tomlin last until his contract expires in 2027 if they don't win at least one? I know the Steelers do not typically fire coaches who are under contract but does Art2 have the patience to go 4 more seasons without any post season success?
Jason Mackey
12:22
I don't think he has the patience to go four more no. And thank you for the non-Pirates question. I love that. Would really like to diversity this chat, but it seems impossible. My gut: It comes this year. But I also think we'll know it when we see it. If they're 6-11, I think the patience is much shorter versus, hey, Fields was good, they have a QB of the future and just came up short because of injuries, etc. That might buy Tomlin more time.
SPACEMAN
12:22
Just a shout-out to Andrew Destin's article "A missed opportunity" with Kevin McClatchy.  Excellent work.....
Jason Mackey
12:22
I'll need to check that out. Thank you.
Mr Ed
12:22
Given you cover multiple sports to write columns about, and you go at times where the subject is currently trending, is it challenging in those instances  to feel like “you know, I haven’t spent a lot of time around this team or sport recently, am I really confident in writing a strong opinion piece about the team, program, sport”? Don’t misunderstand, I’m not saying that is the case for you it’s how I probably would feel.
Jason Mackey
12:24
I understand completely what you're saying. And, yes, to answer your question. That is a challenge. There are only so many hours in a day, right? I'm also not lazy. I work 10-12 hours a day and two 2-3 days off a month. I try my best. And I'm finding it extremely tough to know what I feel like I need to know. But before I go to something, I do my best to read and learn. I'm a real big researcher and note-taker, and obviously talking to folks who know more than I do becomes big. But there's no shortening the process.
demosthenes98
12:25
The Pirates have long since been eliminated from playoff contention while the Brewers are locked in to the NL's number-three seed and the Yankees are thisclose to clinching their division. When two teams meet under these circumstances, does the eliminated team approach the game differently? Do their pitchers avoid pitching inside, lest they hit a playoff-bound player, injure him, and potentially deprive him of a chance to shine on MLB's biggest stage? Does the eliminated manager contact the playoff-bound manager ahead of time and ask if there's anything he can to do help them prepare for the playoffs (lineup construction, bullpen usage, etc.)?
Jason Mackey
12:27
No. They manage the game the way they normally would. Now, obviously that means taking care of players and all the usual. Maybe the playoff team's 2B needs a break or whatever. That will happen. But they're not rolling over or anything crazy like that. You need to protect the integrity of the game.
demosthenes98
12:27
In sports with minor-league systems, when a player is promoted from one level to another, is the promotion mandatory, or can the player decline it? For instance, could a Pirates AAA player be offered a promotion to the majors, but say, "Nah, I'm good, I'm with a better team with better management" and stay put?
Jason Mackey
12:27
That's an insult to guys who work their entire lives to get to that point. Feel bad even pushing this one through.
Marsha L,
12:28
Hi Jason.  I’ve heard Reynolds has been working out at first base lately.  What do you think the chances are that he will starting at first next season?  Thank you.
Jason Mackey
12:29
I think it depends on how comfortable he gets. I also think it depends on who they pick up in the offseason. What I mean: If they find a 1B where it makes sense, no. Reynolds goes back to LF. If they find an OF who makes sense and Reynolds can do it, maybe that changes things.
Stash
12:29
Jason, is it just me, or do Shelty and BC give off the vibe that they know they will be back to wreak more havoc on the burgh's collective psyche?  Despite all evidence to the contrary regarding whether they deserve it.
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