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Among the many readers who wrote in to poke fun at the two who made the absurd package-deal suggestions earlier in the week was Jeff Galarneau of Ballston Spa, N.Y., who wrote: "I think the Bucs should trade Tony Armas and Jack Wilson to the Yankees for A-Rod and $35 million cash. Get this message to Dave Littlefield."

But I feel compelled to point out that the intent of printing those was not to embarrass those readers, but to underscore the very great absurdity of just about every package deal that gets proposed, as well as the very great rarity that any ever come to fruition. Look it up. And when you do, limit the results to transactions that involved more than one major-league player going in at least one direction.

Anyway, one of those two readers now hates me for life, so let us move on ...

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Q:Dejan, why not just platoon Chris Duffy and Rajai Davis? Duffy hits OK against righties, and I assume Davis hits the lefties OK. This way, we could have a two-headed leadoff monster that can hit, steal and play center field.

Nate Emmerling of Wildomar, Calif.

KOVACEVIC: Well, Jim Tracy is adamant there is no platoon, even though he said on the same day that facing left-handers will be a factor in determining when Davis plays. We will see. I am not too sure what the Pirates are trying here for now, beyond simply seeing if Davis can keep hitting here as he did in Indianapolis.

Players get very small windows of opportunity in some cases, and a few of those leap throw. It seems Davis has one here.

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Q: Will the Pirates draft the best player available if he is represented by Scott Boras?

Lee Moses of Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh

KOVACEVIC: We might find out later today, Lee. As I wrote last week, their history is to stay away from Boras guys, and their stance on this matter in general is that, while they maintain they have enough money to pay any draft pick out there, they do not agree with the value for the dollar of some of those.

That said, the part of all this that will remain impossible to determine today is whether or not Matt Wieters, the Boras guy out of Georgia Tech who some see as the best position player available, really is that. He might not be. For all the publications saying that, you also see a bevy of mock drafts predicting that the Cubs will take Josh Vitters, a high school third baseman, as the first position player. Well, the Cubs hardly have been shy about spending of late, Boras or not, so someone clearly thinks Vitters is the better prospect.

Bear in mind: Just because Boras represents a player, that is not necessarily the best player. A reader and I were having a back-and-forth similar to this regarding Andrew Miller. You can find just as many publications who said Brad Lincoln was the best pitcher in the draft as Miller, but Lincoln lacked the Boras aura.

It will be interesting to see how it plays out, for a whole bunch of reasons.

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Q: Does it seem to anyone else that Ronny Paulino has been a bit lackadaisical lately, or am I imagining that?

Carla McConnell of Toledo, Ohio

KOVACEVIC: Big men in any sport always look a little more lax than, say, David Eckstein. But there was one clear instance in the game here Tuesday night where Paulino went stunningly slow for his final few feet to first base, if that is your reference, Carla.

He is not alone, either. Jose Castillo made the final out in that matter -- the final out of a one-run game with a man in scoring position! -- against the Dodgers on Sunday afternoon.

And there are others.

Already this season, I have written more about questionable effort than I did in the previous two years combined. They do not appreciate reading about it, but I also assume that the general public does not appreciate watching it. Especially in home games.

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Things No. 37 that makes Pittsburgh great: It is among the most tired cliches related to our city to point out Primanti's as a civic institution. So, while wanting to mention it out of fairness without being cliched, I will try to get more specific.

What makes it wonderful is not only the bizarre but somehow workable nature of the multilayered sandwhiches, not only the way they pile enough on there that it only fits in your mouth after being steamrollered, not only the natural grunge to all of its various locations (save those at the ballpark, of course), but also the manner in which society conducts intself responsibly once inside.

With that in mind, 10 rules of thumb to keep yourself from looking like some tourist.

1. Do NOT look at the menu, people. Show some dignity. Do you look at the menu at McDonald's?

2. Do NOT ask for extra fries on the side. If you want more, you will get them between the bread like everyone else.

3. Do NOT try to make small talk with the people working. They are way to busy for your silly chit-chat.

4. Do NOT criticize the artwork. Could you really draw a better Bill Cowher jaw? And so what if Mario Lemieux was not left-handed?

5. Do NOT ask where the line starts. There is no line. Look around and take a mental picture of who was there before you.

6. Do NOT ask how long they are open. (Strip only.)

7. Do NOT tell anyone you know about a Primanti's in Fort Lauderdale. Talk about something that never should have been exported.

8. Do NOT ask for straws, lids, napkins and anything else you can find for yourself. Right by the tip jar.

9. Do NOT ask someone to clean your table. How long will it stay clean, anyway?

10. Do NOT ask if anyone famous has ever eaten there. We are all one when inside that place.

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Until tomorrow, when the Q&A comes at you from the Bronx ...