You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Jason Mackey's sports chat: 11.04.22
powered byJotCast
Jason Mackey
12:01
Hello, everyone. Welcome to my sports/Pirates chat. With the change back to my old beat, this thing will be primarily Pirates (and Grateful Dead and whatever other random stuff) after today. Let the good times roll.
Bill Peduto's beard
12:04
J - Mac, Not overly optimistic about the Bucco's seeing many more wins in '23 than '22. It feels like they will roll with younger players ( get that ) but try and sign aging veterans, who are well past their prime, but good " Club House guys" #readcheap, good grief. Let's take a look at # 2 - 3 starter and a first baseman, who we can hold onto for 3 - 4 years and help grow this moribund franchise. Sorry, not sure I see 65 wins ( as example ) as a step forward in '23. Thoughts ?
Jason Mackey
12:06
I disagree with you. I believe the Pirates will have a win total in the 70s. Around 72-74 feels right. I think they will add a couple vets. Nothing huge. But they need to be smart signs. My sense is that they view the Double-A group as the core. When those players are fully ready -- they're not yet -- you'll see them move more aggressively. I don't hate a lineup that includes Cruz, Reynolds, a better Hayes, Suwinski, a legit 1B, maybe Roberto Perez, plus a pitching staff with a veteran add and the bullpen addressed (which can be done cheaply).
Wayward
12:06
Anything of the Bucs players coming out of the Arizona Fall league surprising to you or pretty much what was expected?
Jason Mackey
12:08
I would say mostly as expected. Most encouraging, honestly, might be Henry Davis. His health, sort of. But the chat I had with Davis was extremely insightful. I love how much the dude cares -- and not that I questioned it. But you know how when you talk to someone and you can read their passion and dedication rather easily? This is that. ... It's tough to explain. I don't know if I'm doing a very good job. But I've liked what I've seen and heard from Davis.
Wayward
12:08
Bringing Lopez to the major league to work with the infielders is aiming at adding the developmental of the younger latin america guys?
Jason Mackey
12:09
I don't think it hurts, but it's twofold. Don Kelly doesn't need to be working with the infielders every day and going through strategy and stuff with Shelton ... and trying to communicate with players. There's just so much. Lopez is highly regarded. The younger Latin guys could use a mentor. That's not wrong. Just a good match.
DJ
12:09
Do you think the Pirates will end up being the most successful Pittsburgh sports team this year?  Their win rate was 38.3% versus the early season Pens at 36% and the Steelers at 25%.
Jason Mackey
12:10
Hahaha. Can I steal this? Tremendous work.
12:14
I just tweeted this, DJ. Lemme know if you're on there and how you'd like me to credit. Good stuff.
Jeff
12:14
Good morning. I'm not a hockey expert by any means, but I have to ask the question... What is going on with the Pens?  They've blown some pretty big leads during their losing streak, most recently against Buffalo and Boston.  I find it hard to believe a team with this much experience is losing focus late in the game, but is that what this is?  Or is there something more?  Thanks for the chats.
Jason Mackey
12:15
There's a lot, Jeff. And let me be clear: I do think the Penguins will improve. I don't think they
're done.
12:16
The goaltending hasn't been good enough. They've been sloppy and careless with the puck. The PK has been bad. Not enough depth scoring. Add it up, and it's understandable. Now, that said, I do think those areas can improve. I don't think they lack talent. But the Penguins are certainly going through a rough stretch right now.
BB in AZ
12:18
Jason, the Pens have been unwatchable lately. Do you think the 6-goals-per game elation prior to the western trip created unrealistic bliss inside the Pens' dressing room? Is age creeping up on them?
Jason Mackey
12:19
Nah, I think that's over-simplifying. And I don't think this is an age-catching-up-to-them thing. They've just played bad hockey. They've executed poorly in a lot of key areas. But I'm pretty sure old age doesn't make Evgeni Malkin be careless with the puck at the blue line. Or Kapanen or O'Connor. There are many factors besides age.
South Hills Mike
12:19
When Sullivan came into the NHL and had tremendous success, he rolled with the young guys and sat the veterans.  He now appears to only want to play "experienced" players, which is a big reason the Pens lose in the first round every year (need young, hungry and fast).  Will his stubbornness cost him his job?
Jason Mackey
12:21
No, I would be very surprised if they canned Sullivan the season after extending him. Pretty sure his contract runs through like 2072. Guessing you're talking about Poulin, right? What other players are they sleeping on? Ty Smith? Perhaps. But what would the move be? Send Joseph down? He's been good. Ruhwedel? I like the reliability there. I guess giving some other young guys chances, but I don't think it's gonna cost Sullivan his job.
Cullen
12:21
Who are some candidates that you expect the Pirates to protect in the rule 5 draft?
Jason Mackey
12:23
Actually working on a piece about this, Cullen. Hope you're enjoying your offseason. I'm looking at three locks: Endy, Burrows and Nunez. From there, I think I'd add Cody Bolton. Others you'd consider: Gorski, Sabol, Tahnaj and maybe Triolo? Can't see Alvarez, Nolasco or Lopez getting scooped up ... or caring if that happens. If Martin wasn't poached last year, I don't see Gorski as much different. Bolton worries me because I think he could be good and stick as a long man on an opposing roster. Pirates need pitching. Don't gamble, IMO.
Cullen
12:24
Priester had a bit of a rough final month in the minors and so far in the AFL. Anything to be worried about?
Jason Mackey
12:26
Not at all. He allowed 7 ER in one starts ... as many as he allowed in the 6 preceding it. Had one good start with Triple-A, one bad one. Been a mix in the AFL, too. Dude's 22. He's not fully developed but has nasty stuff and a great head on his shoulders. Should start in Triple-A. Priester will be just fun. An elite arm when all is said and done.
South Hills Mike
12:27
While the Penguins have a lot of issues, It's painfully obvious (3rd year now) that 8 cannot play in the NHL anymore.  It was noticeable 3 years ago too.  Plus, 58 continues to be one of the primary reasons they have been losing (can add others).  It's very concerning about the 6 year contract for a player that costs you more games then helps.  (sorry, just look at the numbers and the eye test)
Jason Mackey
12:29
Dumoulin hasn't been good. Not gonna defend it. Wasn't good last year. Has struggled this season. However, I would take issue with the Letang criticism and point out some recency bias. There's a much larger recent sample that shows him being a very good player than what we've seen over the past half-dozen games. They're going through a rough stretch right now, no doubt. Letang has played poorly. Dumoulin, too. They're not alone. And I wouldn't draw any definitive conclusions here.
Irwin M. "Fletch" Fletcher
12:29
This might be crazy to suggest, but at what point do the Rooney's start discussing a new stadium? Nissan Stadium opened two years before Acrisure Stadium and is going to be replaced by 2026. FedEx Field is only four years older and will get replaced as soon as ownership in Washington is resolved. And the Browns appear to be leaning towards wanting a new stadium. Their stadium is also only two years older than Acrisure. I like Acrisure but it's not nearly as nice as most of the stadiums built around that time period. As an aside, I always found it ironic that the Pirates went first class with PNC Park while the Steelers went with a more cost effective approach.
Jason Mackey
12:31
I think you're painting Acrisure as a dump, and it's not. However, I get the point you're trying to make. Many NFL stadiums are palatial estates, and it wouldn't shock me at all, given the new deal, if the Rooneys sought something like this. They should.
12:32
Whether they could or not, who knows. I would defer to Belko or Dulac on that stuff. But given what other teams have wanted and demanded from cities, they would not be out of line for doing it. And it would probably juice more funds out of the public, which will obviously upset some folks.
PrinceBob
12:32
When you're watching baseball on Fox and look to the box in the lower right hand corner, the one that shows the score, inning, outs, etc. and has that image of three bases underneath that change colors when there's a man on a base, can you clearly make out if the color has changed? I have a hard time with it but because vision is not my best sense thought I was the problem. But last night my wife couldn't make it out either and last week a friend watching it with me had a hard time too. Have you noticed this? Is my TV maybe the problem?
Jason Mackey
12:32
I have had no issue with this, Gunner. I'd check your TV or get your eyes checked. I actually really like Fox's presentation of baseball games.
BillC
12:33
Will the Pirates want to see Roberto Perez in winter ball or will they sign him more immediately?
Jason Mackey
12:33
I think they'd like to see how he performs in winter ball first. In fact, I know they do.
Irwin M. "Fletch" Fletcher
12:33
Is it NCAA tournament or be fired for Jeff Capel? I really like him and want to see him do well. But to paraphrase Mike Tomlin, winning is Capel's business and business has not been good recently.
Jason Mackey
12:34
Sure doesn't seem like it Irwin, although I'm not sure that's the right take. I hate firing college coaches early. Resets the whole thing. That being said, I -- along with plenty of others I'm sure -- have questions about the culture of Pitt men's hoops. That and you also stink ... I mean, who would blame Heather Lyke for going in another direction?
PrinceBob
12:34
If you're James Franklin do you stay with Sean Clifford the rest of the way or go to Drew Allar?
Jason Mackey
12:35
Oh, I'm 100% turning things over to Allar. Thanks, Sean, for your service. I'm sure you will do plenty of great things. But the best way to prepare the football team for this season and beyond is with Allar. Had Clifford won games, OK, ride it out. That hasn't happened, at least against legit teams.
Dj
12:35
Does allowing Canada to call plays amount to a massive failure on Tomlin’s part? Also how much blame can Tomlin take responsibility for this current roster?
Jason Mackey
12:36
Yes and a lot. He's the head coach. He hired Canada and has stuck with him -- in my opinion, to a ridiculous extent. He also has plenty to do with roster construction. There's no run game. The defense is too reliant on TJ Watt. There are discipline/penalty issues. Plenty to blame the head coach for.
PrinceBob
12:36
How interested will you be in the College Football Playoffs if three of the four teams are from the SEC? Would you favor requiring a team to be their conference champion to be in the playoff as long as there are just four teams? It's not uncommon in the NFL for a division winner to have a worse record than teams from other divisions that have better records but did not win their division.
Jason Mackey
12:37
I'll still be interested regardless, but I get your point. It's why I think the CFP needs to expand. No, I would not be in favor of having four conference champions, especially because of the SEC. What if Georgia won it and Alabama was the second-best team? I'd like to see at least eight and preferably 16.
Coach15
12:38
Would it be a smart business decision for the Steelers to trade #90, & grab a boat-load of picks?  His contract, age, body break-down(injury) being my reasons for a move, bc I do not see Steelers being a consistent winner for 3 years & his draft capital gains, would serve the team better-
Load More Messages
Connecting…