Chunkles: Jerry, I think the best move the Pirates can make is to hire a young, up and coming manager for this team. Someone who walks in to the club house and lays it on the line. A guy that isnt much older than the players. Someone who the young players can relate to and vise versa. Maybe he lights a fire under these guys. Pittsburgh would be a great market for a young manager to make a name for himself. Look at football. Cowher was young, got a chance, made a name for himself, and won a Super Bowl. I think Kiflin has a chance to turn things around in Oakland. Anyway, its been said that Joe Torre couldnt win in Pittsburgh and I agree with that. Yeah, they dont have the talent, and if he were here, the guys would just look at him as the Yankee King. Thats why you bring in a young, no name who can crack the whip!

Jerry Micco: I think you may have a point there, Chunkles, but the bottom line is the talent on this team is pretty barren. Is it better than last year? Yes, but they won 67 games last season. I don't know if any manager can make this team better, but you may be right. The team has tried established guys before and guys with some experience as coaches. Maybe it will be time to look at young up-and-comer to see if that works. McClendon was a guy who was fiery, but that didn't work either. Maybe a combination of fire and youth will get the message across. At this point, though, I don't know if anything will work.

shouldBworking: Was the non-offer to Ouellet based on business and NHL dollars? I think that his lost, over the next 2-4 years as he develops, will be missed by the team. While he is somewhat inconsistent since he is young, his RH shot will develop sizably from the wing.

Jerry Micco: Some of it was cost as Ray Shero pointed out, but some of it was there are guys in the minors who may fill that void nicely AND for less money. We'll have to see about Ouellet, but as well as he did last season, there were still plenty of critics out there. I'm not sure Ouellet will be a consistent 20-25 goal scorer, but that's the risk you take and risk you have to take, in the salary cap era.

ronin_buc: Jerry, I attended the KC games where the Pirates were swept last year and told friends that if that display didn't kill my interest, nothing will. Littlefield's insane comments on Sunday of the Bucs being "fundamentally better" in 2007 might push me over the cliff? Have you ever been around an organization that is so out of touch with reality? Is there any hope until this ownership group sells?

Jerry Micco: I was stunned by those comments, too, but while folks have ripped ownership quite a bit, and rightfully so on many occasions, there is a different dynamic in place. Bob Nutting is actually in his first year as "the owner." Meaning, Kevin McClatchy ran this team pretty much the last few years and made many decisions. Now, Nutting is making those calls. He may want a year to evaluate everything before he makes changes. I'm not sure that there won't be changes at some point, maybe at the midpoint, but likely at the end of the season. The Pirates are bad top to bottom, but I wouldn't be as quick as some to judge Bob Nutting as being a hands-off owner. Let's wait and see.

ronin_buc: I know he's a psycho, but why not take a run at Milton Bradley now that the Royals backed off? Not a long term commitment and Littlefield is flush with "valuable" middle relievers? How ironic was it that KC was going to acquire him for Leo Nunez?

Jerry Micco: Irony is rich in Baseball, ronin. Eh, maybe Bradley gives you something, but he's here for a half season and gone. And if you want to look at Duffy and Davis in center, then Bradley's in the way at that point. He's a band-aid when you need a tourniquet. If the Pirates were contending, maybe he'd be a terrific player to get, but I don't think that fits into the Pirates plans now.

chaosonejoe: Jerry, what are your thoughts on Mixed Martial Arts?

Jerry Micco: Don't know much about them and don't watch it. I understand they have some popularity, but it's another niche sport trying to make its way into a crowded sports market.

ronin_buc: Dejan has pointed out many times that Tracy will stick with Paulino regardless of his many catching gaffes and lack of hustle, yet Castillo continues to rot on the bench. Does management have any clue about player accountability? This is pathetic.

Jerry Micco: I don't disagree with you. I think what is happening to Castillo is just awful. If they can't trade him for some help, then why is he here? Biggest waste of talent on the team in my opinion.

jim_from_michigan: Jerry, Good Afternoon! I'm not sure what to do, I been a Pirate fan my whole liffe but it got to the point of the season were I'm rooting against the Pirates. I'm afraid if they win a few games, Dave Littlefield will get another contract extension. I have no confidence in his drafting, trading, etc. What should I do?

Jerry Micco: If you're a fan, you have to root for the team. But you don't have to like everything about the team. If the team turns around, then that means Littlefield has done something right. But I wouldn't count on that turnaround happening any time soon. I still think this team won't win more than 75 games this year and I've said that from Day 1.

MPM: If you were the GM of the Portland Trailblazers, would you select Kevin Durant or Greg Oden?

Jerry Micco: Greg Oden because great centers win you championships and he'll be a great center. That said, he's going to need some help, but a guy like Oden doesn't come along every season. Not that Durant is a bad player, far from it, but there's more likely to be a guy like him in the draft a couple of years from now than a talent like Oden.

Joey_Peeps: Do you think the Fans for Change protest has any legs?

Jerry Micco: I think it has some, but you never know with these things. Sometimes, folks who organize these things become so media-saturated that they wear out their welcome before the event. I'm thinking we won't see 30,000 folks walk out, more like 5,0000-10,000. But will it change anything? Doubtful.

jimmy_g: Even though Pirate fans are in an almost no-win situation, it is good to see the P-G continue to highlight the deficiencies of the ownership/leadership of the organization, especially Bob Smizik. Keep up the good work and maybe someday things will improve.

Jerry Micco: Our job is to keep looking into things and into stories. That said, you can only make your point so often. It's not easy to find new stuff to write about the team and it's problems, but our columnists give it a go every chance they get. This isn't a crusade against the Pirates on our part, but it's reflective of the reaction from our readers. I've been here now for four Pirates seasons and this fan reaction is the worst. It's even worse than last season. If I'm the Pirates, I start paying attention sooner rather than later.

D: What do you think of the protest?

Jerry Micco: It's OK, but I don't know that it'll change very much. And besides, everyone will have their bobblehead so if they bought a cheap ticket, they'll leave anyway. But if you paid $40 for a ticket, you're staying. Want to make a statement? Walk out and stay out.

jimmy_g: Speaking of the Pirate ownership, do you think that the Nuttings really feel they are doing a good job with the team other than making some money?

Jerry Micco: Nope. I'll bet if anyone sat down with Bob Nutting and posed that question, he'd say they aren't doing the job at all. Again, I've never spoken to the man, but I can't believe he wants something he owns to be this poorly run. Just hard to believe.

Joey_Peeps: Despite the 4-10 record, Paul Maholm has begun to show signs of being a competent major league pitcher. Your thoughts?

Jerry Micco: I've always thought Maholm had very good stuff, but hadn't lived up to being a No. 1 selection. He has been more consistent lately, which is a good sign. I think he can develop into a good No. 3 starter, or even a No. 2 in a pinch, but he needs to keep pounding the strike zone and being consistent. Until he can show that, I'm still a bit skeptical about him.

D: So,basically,the Pirates will be losers until the end of time.

Jerry Micco: Do you know when the end of time is, because if so, I want save that money I'm about to invest in my oldest's college fund.

Cam_Bonifay: Jerry, Do you feel that Pirate fans are finally getting to the breaking point? What would you guess the chances to be that either Littlefield or Tracy will be back for 2008?

Jerry Micco: I think they are pretty much at the breaking point, as bad as I've seen it in my four seasons here. I'd say less than 50-50 on both at this point.

D: Where do you think Aaron Gray will go in the NBA draft tomorrow night?

Jerry Micco: High second round, which is where he belongs.

Joey_Peeps: Do you think Tracy will platoon Phelps and LaRoche? If he does, he's really mailed it in.

Jerry Micco: I think Phelps is going to get spot starts and pinch hit. LaRoche is still going to play and the Pirates can only hope he gets hot at some point. If not, then that trade will be the final straw for Dave Littlefield.

jimmy_g: The basic failure of the Pitt football team since the glory years of Majors & Sherrill are nothing compared to the complete joke that the Pirates have become.

Jerry Micco: No comparison at all, jimmy. We're talking 14 years and counting, likely to at least 15. That's an amazing futility streak.

Joey_Peeps: After this week's events, isn't it time for the WWE to simply go away?

Jerry Micco: Or is it time for them to look at their employees and say "we're wrong and have been wrong for some time. We encouraged you to take these drugs, but no more. So stop and we're going to test to make sure you do it." And it wouldn't bother me to see them go away for a while and then come back and reinvent themselves.

D: Is Littlefield a trained robot by Nutting or what?Because every time I hear him talk,he always says they have"young core players who are going to get better",and "I understand the fan's frustration".He has no idea what Pirates' fans have gone through!!

Jerry Micco: Dave Littlefield has to have those players come through to have any chance. The problem is some players are doing well, others aren't. Snell, Gorzelanny, Nady all are doing fine. But too many, Duke, Maholm, LaRoche, Bautista, Paulino, Doumit, Grabow and Duffy, are not doing very well at all. That's too many key people who have gassed out on you. You need more of that second group to get better in a hurry. That core is not a good core anymore, and the minors isn't exactly stocked. Those players are here, by and large.

Grimm_gets_job: I am jealous of your chat. I want to be part of it!

Jerry Micco: Well, here you go Grimmy.

jimmy_g: The difference between the Penguins and the Pirates is amazing. On the Penguins, if you don't produce, you don't play. On the Pirates, if you don't produce, you still play (Paulino, Duke, Duffy, etc.).

Jerry Micco: And one big difference: You win a draft lottery and you take the best player in a generation. And for 3 years, you don't have to pay him even $1 million. Hockey's set up for teams to succeed who don't want to spend millions. And remember, the Pens were bad for several years before last season. And in hockey a player or two can turn you around. In baseball, you need a core of 5 to 10 players (including pitchers) to be a great team.

Grimm_gets_job: What are your thoughts on Esposito?

Jerry Micco: Sounds like a steal that deep into the draft. But he's young and likely has a year or two before he gets here. If his work ethic is good, he'll be a very nice fit here.

d: Do you think Paulino is taking advantage of the Pirates by knowing that they love his game-calling?And that whatever he does,he'll still be in the lineup everyday?

Jerry Micco: That may be true, but I think the Pirates are just stuck there. Doumit is so bad defensively and they obviously don't like his game-calling, so who do you go with? They have not catchers coming through because they switched Neil Walker to third. So unless they make a trade, Paulino's their guy. Maybe they bite the bullet and play Doumit despite the defensive stuff, but they can't be held hostage by Ronnie Paulino of all people.

Grimm_gets_job: Can you imagine if Angelo Esposito turns out to be as good as some people claim? The young talent the Pens have will be the best since the old Edmonton Oiler teams!

Jerry Micco: If he turns into a great player, then yes, that could happen. Or, someone goes because of the salary cap. The cap's great to make teams competitive, but it also bites teams that have a lot of good players all around the same age. You can't pay them all.

d: Are you going to put Cook's and Smizik's current pictures by their columns soon?

Jerry Micco: I think they are current enough? Do they look that different? I don't think so.

Cam_Bonifay: As you look at this team, is there any quick fix? Don't they need almost a total overhaul with the exception of 6-8 players?

Jerry Micco: Probably, but then, the minors aren't exactly full of great players, either. And who do you trade? That core of 6-8 players is who you'd need to trade to restock. It's not a good situation for this team.

d: Would Steve Phillips be a good fit as g.m.?

Jerry Micco: I don't know if he would be or not. If he was terrific, why'd the Mets let him go?

jimmy_g: The Pirates' first round draft selection could be the straw that broke the camel's back for most fans.

Jerry Micco: Maybe, but again, this organization has no relief pitching in the minors. And not a lot in the majors. Maybe Matt Weiters is the second coming of Ted Simmons, maybe not. It's a gamble in the draft. But I won't dispute your contention that at that point, a lot of fans threw in the towel on this team and this organization.

jimmy_g: Hey Jerry, I have a good idea, why don't you e-mail Bob Nutting a copy of the last 10 or so weekly chats?

Jerry Micco: They are available on our Web site, and I'm sure the Pirates PR folks look at them. That's their job, not mine.

d: Can you believe the Pirates are saying they're way better than this?Are they living in a fantasy world?How can you say you're better when you're 12 games under .500?Just once,I want to hear someone say,"We stink."

Jerry Micco: I think Smizik said that today. I think Ian Snell is about to say that. But you're right, someone needs to rock the boat.

maw002: do you know if the pens are eyeing any significant wingers or defensemen this offseason?

Jerry Micco: I'm sure Ray Shero has his eye on both, but I don't see them being major players in free agency. Keeping Roberts and Recchi is one reason why, but if the right kind of winger is there, I'm sure he'll look at it. Defense may be more the need, though.

Joey_Peeps: Godfather 1 or 2?

Jerry Micco: Tough one, but Godfather I is the best movie I've ever seen. Godfather II may be second or third.

d: Jerry,have you had a chance to read Steelers Stuff,by Jim O'Brien?It's a very good read.

Jerry Micco: No, I haven't.

jimmy_g: OK, we are half way through the chat and no Steeler Nation comments, so I'll be the first. When does training camp start so we may be able to take our minds off the pitiful Pirates?

Jerry Micco: I believe it starts on July 23 or 24. And remember, this team was 8-8 last season.

go_pens: Jerry, More likely top 6 winger to start the year next year: Jonathan Filewich or Angelo Esposito?

Jerry Micco: Do you mean the 2007-08 season? That would be Filewich. But Espo will be here by the next season.

d: Are you going to the game Saturday?

Jerry Micco: Nope. I've got other plans.

d: Is Federer the greatest tennis player of all time?

Jerry Micco: One of the greats, but I'm from a different era and can remember the great Rod Laver, Arthur Ashe (my favorite of all time), John Newcombe and Ken Rosewall. Not to mention Bjorn Borg, Boris Becker, Johnny Mac (my next favorite of all time) and Jimmy Connors. I think those guys played when there were so many good players, it was tough to run the table like Federer does. Not to take anything away from him, or Pete Sampras, who has what, 14 majors? But it seemed tennis was more popular and had better players back then.

jimmy_g: 8-8 once in a while is so bad when you compare it to the Pirates.

Jerry Micco: My point being that the Steelers gave sports fans little respite from the bad Pirates season. I'm still thinking 9-7 or even 10-6 this year for the Black and Gold. But I reserve the right to amend that once camp starts.

d: Do you play fantasy football?

Jerry Micco: I used to do it quite a bit years ago, but really haven't in some time now. I know it's still very popular and certainly keeps folks interested in a Cardinals-Texans game, but I really don't have time these days to keep up a team the way you need to do it. You always have to be ready to cut and add guys and be making trades. That takes some time and while it was fun, it's time I no longer have.

go_pens: If the pens don't sign anyone my moneys on both Esposito and Filewich. Remember, no one thought jordan Staal would be here last year either

Jerry Micco: Well, as I said, I think Filewich will make it here this year. I'm not sure on Espo, but you could certainly be right. I think Shero would rather have another veteran, maybe a young veteran, rather than two more rookies. But if they show in camp they deserve to be here, both Shero and Michele Therrien have shown they'll play the best guys.

Cam_Bonifay: Would the Pirates benefit more from tough hard nosed old school manager? I realize that Connie Mack could not win with this team but someone that would lite a fire under these guys would have to be better. Here's a wild idea Bob Walk.

Jerry Micco: Walk would be interesting, but as a manager you have to be really prepared out there all the time. Maybe it's part of his schtick, but sometimes Walk's not prepared in the booth. Maybe because he's thinking this is a broadcast and that's part of the fun, but when you see that, you wonder if it'd carry over into any job. I'm not saying the guy doesn't know baseball, he does. Inside and out. But it's a huge jump from the booth to the field, and I don't know if Walk wants to take that leap.

PhillyMarty: Is the underachieving usually reliable Jason Bay playing hurt, pressing, or merely being dragged down by the negativity of all of the losing?

Jerry Micco: A bit of all of that, Marty. I'm not sure how clutch Bay has been in all his years here, though. I've never thought him a great clutch player. Productive, yes, but not clutch. Of course, there's always been little around him in the lineup. And I'm sure, though he's a quiet guy, this constant losing is wearing thin on him.

Cam_Bonifay: I do remember hearing Jim Leyland say that Walk was his favorite player that ever played for him. I always felt that he was a player that made the most of his abilities through shear determination. That attitude would be a breath of fresh air for this team.

Jerry Micco: If Walk could get across to this bunch that everyone has a job and that if everyone just does their job, then winning will follow. He'd probably be an enthusiastic guy and that counts for a lot. But if the guys you're trying to motivate just aren't buying in, then you're left with very little. I think they guy they needed was Leyland, but that train left the station long ago.

no_more_nutting: any word on a possible class action suit against nutting so the public can take control of the Pirates?

Jerry Micco: I've heard nothing and doubt that suit would do anything. It'd be frivolous, actually.

Jerry Micco: I need to run folks. A small-but-mighty group today. A lot of great questions. I'll be gone for the July 4 holiday next week, so no chat, then I'm on vacation. I'll have a fill-in for the July 11 week. In the meantime, enjoy the holiday and keep an eye on that protest on Saturday. Thanks for taking the time to chat.