Moderator: Welcome to the weekly chat about the Pittsburgh Pirates. We'll be getting under way shortly.

MPM: I understand sending Daniel Moskos to Bradenton for a few weeks, but I don?t understand sending him to State College. One of the reasons the Pirates said they drafted him was because he was close to being ready to pitch in Pittsburgh. Why not send him to Altoona now and see how he adjusts? At the very least he should be in Lynchburg now.

Dejan Kovacevic: Well, hello, angry citizens. The rush to fast-track Moskos, which I have heard quite a bit from readers over the past few days, seems to run directly counter to the idea of being cautious with first-round pitchers based on so many of them going under the knife. I am not sure I understand it. What is the difference if Moskos gets to Pittsburgh now, 2008 or 2009?

ronin_buc: Although I was frustrated by the final outcome of Saturday's game, I was impressed by what Matt Morris brought to the team in his start. Seemed like the defense was inspired behind him (even with Bay and McLouth's bad attempts at balls), they were aggressive. Morris seemed to have a mound prescence that we haven't seen in Pittsburgh for a long time. Maybe this wasn't the horrible move that the national media is claiming?

Dejan Kovacevic: I would base very little on one game as far as evaluating the move. In fact, almost nothing. But I do concur that the Pirates played with uncommon passion defensively behind Morris, and that Morris was efficient and purposeful in his work. One gets kind of used to seeing the young pitchers the Pirates have, and something like that stands out all the more as a result.

ronin_buc: What is the deal with J Bay struggling so bad to even field the ball in LF this year? It looks like he is having problems reading the ball off the bat with some of his routes to even catch a ball. Would it be better to move him to RF (even with his bad arm)?

Dejan Kovacevic: Much, much more on that topic in your Tuesday Post-Gazette. Rub two quarters together and find a green box tomorrow.

ronin_buc: Why has Tracy allowed Colborn to have his freakouts in the dugout this year? Is he immune from any discipline or does Colborn really believe he is co-manager?

Dejan Kovacevic: I asked a question in that vein after the episode the other night. You saw the answer in the game story from Tracy, which was to diminish that episode in particular. The only other thing I can offer is that Dave Littlefield, after the Jack Wilson-Colborn dustup, charged Tracy with taking control of the matter.

jim_from_michigan: Dejan, Do you believe Duffy and Duke are hurt or the Pirates are just afraid to activate them because they have no confidence in them this year?

Dejan Kovacevic: The conspiracy theories involving this team have no end. ... They most definitely are hurt.

Jim_from_Michigan: I don't know the purpose of having Tony Armas in the starting rotation, no matter how good he pitches he shouldn't be back next year. Do you think the Pirates hope someone will claim him on waivers?

Dejan Kovacevic: Armas was guaranteed $3.5 million as the Pirates' lone free-agent signing. It is very common for teams to lean toward such players, if only because of the large investment. ... That said, the team's investment in Shane Youman should not be shrugged off, given that a payoff could resonate for six years, which is how long they own his rights. Armas is sure to be out of here after this year.

Insider: Dejan, the quote from Jim Tracy about Matt Morris' debut (i.e., terrific and professional) says it all about the lack of any expectations or accountability in the Pirates' organization. Six innings and 5 runs (4 earned) is not terrific, especially for a player making $300,000 per start. Why don't any reporters ever question Tracy when he makes such ridiculous comments?

Dejan Kovacevic: If you saw the game -- and I cannot assume that you did, considering it was not on local TV -- you might have shared the manager's impression. Morris was quite good, I thought. The defense cost him a couple of runs, partly because they tried too hard on a couple of plays and made lousy judgments. And there were few balls struck with any authority off him. Lines in the box score can be deceiving in both directions.

ronin_buc: Any indications that Bob Nutting (with the Morris move) realizes that to get a established CEO, that the 2008 payroll must be bumped up to Reds and Brewers level? I hope Nutting signing off on Morris trade is not a sign he still believes in Littlefield in 2008 and beyond. Your impressions?

Dejan Kovacevic: There is no doubt Nutting is aware that the bar for a team with revenue streams such as the Pirates has been set in Milwaukee and Cincinnati. He probably also is aware that any CEO worth his salt will want to compete on that level. We will see how that translates into action.

ronin_buc: It seems as if McCutchen has rebounded from his bad start to put up decent numbers at AA. How much is the Pirates future tied to Andrew being a future superstar player when the core is eligible to walk following 2009?

Dejan Kovacevic: McCutchen's average is back above .250, and he has found his power stroke over the past couple weeks, both of which are positives. I still cannot find myself feeling upbeat about McCutchen until I see him drawing walks again. McCutchen's strength is his compact swing in a tight strike zone, as well as a great command of that zone. For him to be very good, as opposed to just good, he has to reclaim that trait. ... As for your question, he is an enormous part of the team's future. I just wonder if that will be in 2008.

jefft64: Hi Dejan--now that the season is about gone, do you foresee any surprise call-ups for September?

Dejan Kovacevic: I wrote Sunday that Steve Pearce, Nyjer Morgan and Brian Bixler are candidates -- very good candidates, actually -- and there probably will be a pitcher or two. That could be Josh Sharpless if can find some consistency. Or it could be Jesse Chavez, though he has struggled of late. ... Or, with the way the Pirates have been getting older and older with each passing transaction, it could be Marty McLeary again.

ronin_buc: Any word on whether Jack Wilson has gone thru waivers, yet? With the Neifi Perez suspension, do you see something happening this week and could the Pirates really get back 2 of the top 6 Tigers prospects that were discussed?

Dejan Kovacevic: The waiver process is highly secretive, so the chance of that word sneaking out is very, very low. My understanding of that deal that was detailed last week was exactly what was published: Two prospects were offered, Detroit would pay all of Wilson's salary, and the Pirates asked for Craig Monroe. Detroit sounded the buzzer. ... But the sides still are engaged.

BobKipperRulez: Ronnie Paulino: Good defensive catcher or great defensive catcher?

Dejan Kovacevic: Neither. He is a good game-caller, by all indications, but he has much room for improvement in every other facet.

get_me_out_of_here: Anytime I hear Dave Littlefield speak, he sounds like a well-oiled PR machine. Does he always do interviews that way or do you somtimes feel that he speaking from the heart?

Dejan Kovacevic: I have been covering this team for three years now. The next candid, frank conversation I have with him will be the first. ... That is not a criticism. Some people just choose to do business that way.

richie_zisk: If the Tigers still have an interest, how difficult will it be to get Jack Wilson through waivers?

Dejan Kovacevic: It should not be hard at all. Any team that would have wanted to take Wilson probably would have expressed interest through another avenue by now.

jefft64: Dejan--Karma suggests that Barry Bonds will go 0- for the next 4 games, so he can hit one against his old, struggling team. Should he be celebrated or not?

Dejan Kovacevic: That is up to you. Speaking only for myself, I am pulling very hard for Bonds to hit No. 756 against Washington and that the circus tents will get pulled down before your PBC arrives in San Francisco.

Sandlot_Wizard: Will the calibre of CEO that Nutting hires be a good clue as to how much $$ he said he is willing to put towards the team?

Dejan Kovacevic: It will be a very powerful indicator about an awful lot regarding this franchise.

GeraldPerry: How long before Matt Morris whines that he has no defense behind him here? He is supposed to lead the young guys yet he sounded like a whiner in San Fran...

Dejan Kovacevic: I prefer to judge people on first-hand experience. So far, with Morris, it has been overwhelmingly positive. But the atmosphere with the Pirates has beaten down many positive sentiments from many newcomers over the years, so nothing can be ruled out.

bedlem77: Somehow I was able to talk myself into the logic behind the Morris trade. You get a dependable veteran pitcher for at or below market price (and one who negotiated his own contract hence the no trade clause) what I dont understand is why in the world Marte is still on this team. Why do the pirates, given their current state, need a guy who's sole purpose is to retire left handed batters late in the game?

Dejan Kovacevic: Because they are trying to win games now, quite obviously, while bumping down in priority the concept of building for the future. The deadline underscored that desire in large, bold, all-capital letters.

Lave_Dittlefield: Well if Armas is guaranteed to be out of here next year and there is no hope for this season, then what is the point in keeping him? The money shouldn't even be an issue now, it's already gone. Wouldn't it be better to pitch some of the younger guys and see what they can prove?

Dejan Kovacevic: A team looking ahead to 2008 and beyond would agree with you, one would think.

puget_sound_pirate: Is there any difference between Chris Duffy and Nate McLouth? They seem to be like two peas in a pod, cut from the same mold.

Dejan Kovacevic: McLouth stays healthy more often. Duffy's greatest shortcoming, even above his slow starts, has been an inability to stay on the field.

operation_shutdown: Do you get sympathy from other sportswriters around the country because you have to cover this team?

Dejan Kovacevic: Anyone who understands this business knows the approach toward covering a team does not vary in the slightest based on where it is in the standings. I see writers covering last-place teams this year that were contenders last year. Nothing about what they do changes.

Jen_Sacks-Cudock: Matt Morris will cost up $9 million next year and a $1 million buyout if we don't want him in 2009. Which quality FA pitcher could we have gotten to sign a deal like that?

Dejan Kovacevic: Almost none. There is no question Morris or someone similar would have cost more through free agency. But I see the larger issue as this: Were these Pirates ready for that type of transaction, as the Brewers clearly were when they signed Jeff Suppan? Few would see it that way. That same money, in the next year or two, could have continued the process of building the team with legitimate, long-term pieces, either through trades such as getting Adam LaRoche and Xavier Nady -- who become more expensive as they go through arbitration -- or even a legitimate bat through free agency. Or, taking the longer view, drafting the best college position player available when he is there to be chosen.

Lave_Dittlefield: Totally agree about Marte. There had to have been a great deal of interest in one of the best LHP, at least statistically, this year. Too much can go wrong between now and next season, so dealing him now was unquestionably the thing to do don't you think?

Dejan Kovacevic: Successful teams trade commodities at highest possible value. Damaso Marte, signed at a low rate through 2008, could never be more valuable than he is now. But the Pirates elected to keep a one-out specialist on a team that needs so much more than a guy who records one out of 27 outs. ... Shawn Chacon never will be more valuable than now, either.

TheTruth: Who's the starting CF next year?

Dejan Kovacevic: Remarkably difficult question. I never rule out anything related to McCutchen. I often say he is the one guy I could see coming into spring training and simply blowing everyone away.

BenderHeel: Bautista getting his first start in RF so that Castillo can play at 3B? The same Castillo that was not playing when Kata was here??

Dejan Kovacevic: Actually, Cesar Izturis has been there. But your point stands: Kata starting even two games -- let alone four -- ahead of Castillo spoke volumes about the current direction.

JhaugJr: IS there any frustration being expressed with Nady's inability to stay healthy. This should not be a surprise based on his past history

Dejan Kovacevic: There is plenty of frustration on Nady's end, I can tell you that. Hamstrings are awful because they take months of flat-out rest to heal, and that simply is not possible during a 162-game baseball season. And the part that is driving Nady truly nuts is that he is hitting really well despite it. Imagine if there were no trouble.

WhiteLion: Why the criticism in spending money on Morris next year. Littlefield has never shown an inclination to spend that money where everone thinks he should (latin america, farm system, etc.)

Dejan Kovacevic: Well, um ... yeah.

Dan: Does Torres still want to be traded and do the Pirates want to trade him?

Dejan Kovacevic: Yes to the first part, and impossible to say on the second.

puget_sound_pirate: Do you think that Nutting is looking towards successful organizations and comparing how they are run compared to our beloved Bucco's? If he can fly to the Dominican Republic to see how business is handled, what are the odds he is going to Oakland, Minnesota and or Cleveland to see how they get it done?

Dejan Kovacevic: Actually, the most recent time I interviewed him, I was somewhat taken aback by how casually he was able to offer details about how certain organizations were run, including specific names of the people involved. One gets the idea he knew enough about the subject to have done some level of research.

Lave_Dittlefield: Along the same lines: is Bixler the man at SS next year?

Dejan Kovacevic: If Wilson is gone, I would think Izturis' option gets picked up.

richie_zisk: You often say the Pirates need a larger presence in Latin America, which I agree with you. But the Bucs in the late '70s had a large contigent of Latin players. I know that's ancient history but where did the team lose its way? Were they slow in the Dominican Republic?

Dejan Kovacevic: No, they were slow across the board. They had no Latin American scouting director until Rene Gayo was hired in late 2003, after which an operation finally was built. There is a huge gap in there that costs the franchise to this day, and it remains to be seen how long it takes to repair it. We are still waiting for the first impact Latin American prospect to enter the Pirates' system at any North American level. ... On the bright side, the Venezuelan and Dominican summer teams, all stocked with youngsters, are having excellent seasons.

Lave_Dittlefield: Team in the worst shape right now: KC, TB, or PBC?

Dejan Kovacevic: I would profess to be no expert on any American League team, but I am not aware of any other team in the majors that combines failure at the major-league level with a lack of impact talent in the minors quite like your PBC. ... The Q&A returns tomorrow, as does the regular coverage from the desert. Until then ...