James_Zerfoss:While I agree that no player should be off limits, do you see any scenario is which the Pirates keep Bay and try to build around him? With LaRoche not proving to be the answer at first how about the Pirates look at a future team of McLouth in left, McClutchen in center, and Bay in right. Then Pearce at first, Sanchez at second, Wilson at short (sorry but I have no other current suggestions for short), and Alvarez at third.

Bob SmizikGood afternoon. This is Bob Smizik filling in for Jerry Micco who is on vacation. Keeping Bay and Nady is an option, but I doubt it is one the Pirates will take. They are determined to build up the farm system, and the best way to do that is to trade for young prospects. Such a tactic also enables the team to lower payroll, which just happens to be something they like.

Mister_8.7:Is this the year the Pirates finally get to .500. They have a good shot to be there at the all-star break if they can hang tight for another month.

Bob SmizikConsidering how well the Pirates have played against teams not named the Chicago Cubs, .500 is not an unrealistic goal. They need to win the next two vs. the Nationals with the Phillies coming to town for the weekend. They have a chance at finishing .500. This is their best team since 2003, and that team did not finish at .500.

Mister_8.7:What is inside a hockey player that makes him different than any other pro athlete? Ryan Malone is a free agent and he came back minutes after his nose was shattered, but we see guys in the NFL shut down for less in their contract years. Look at Paul Pierce. He needed 3 guys and a wheelchair to get him off the court with a knee sprain.

Bob SmizikIt's the tradition of the sport, I supposed. There's no question hockey players deal with pain much more so than players in other sports. At the same time, I can't recall high ankle sprains knocking football and base ball players out for the length of time that Crosby and Fleury missed.

Swolfe:Living in Baltimore I don't get to see a lot of the Buccos, however, I am looking forward the seeing the next 4 Pirate games on TV and attending of the games vs. the Orioles. At what point do you think the Pirates begin to seriously shop Nady and Bay. Will McCuthchon be an immediate call-up?

Bob SmizikThere is not much of a market for Bay and Nady at the moment. Teams need to be desperate before they deal quality young players -- mortgage the future for the present. At the present time, most teams think or hope they can improve from within. As we move to July teams start to become desperate. That's the time to deal Bay and/or Nady. McCutcheon will be brought up when one of those players is traded, if not sooner.

Mister_8.7:You expressed your opinion about John Russell's performance last night in today's column, but how do you feel about the job he's done overall this season?

Bob SmizikI'm a person who doesn't think the manager makes much of an impact on a team. So I'm certainly not going to evaluate him on 40 percent of the season. He seems to have made most of the right moves and the team is playing hard. Let's see how hard they are playing when the team is 15 games under .500. If it's a grade you want, I'd give Russell a C+ or a B-.

swolfe:Think there will be a Steelers vs. Ravens like crowd this weekend for the O's series?

Bob SmizikI could not imagine why there would be. It's two losing teams who have not played each other almost 30 years, not two rivals who play twice a year with both in search of the same division title.

James_Zerfoss:All the Pirates ever do is rebuild! How about keeping at least one piece to build around? Not to mention keeping the fans a little happy! It would be nice to have at least one All-Star on the team, unless Bay is going to ask for a $100 million contract.

Bob SmizikThe Pirates have not been in constant rebuilding mode. In 2003, for example, they brought in Suppan, Sanders, Lofton, Stairs. That certainly was not a rebuilding mode. The franchise has been hamstrung by poor management and bad luck in drafting. If Bay has two good years in 2008 and 2009, he, along with Nady, could ask for whooping salaries. Vernon Wells got $125 million from the Blue Jays a couple of years ago. At the time, Bay's career numbers were better.

James_Zerfoss:What team do you think will be most interested in Jason Bay? Who would be potential trade partners?

Bob SmizikOff the top of my head, I don't know which contenders need outfield help in the form of a right-handed hitter. Much will depend on the circumstances of the day.

LouLipps:Blogs. Your take on them?

Bob SmizikI read blogs all the time. Some are very good. Others bore me. Blogging an individual event is extremely difficult. It's hard to make that exciting or entertaining. But a general blog on the news of the day can be very informative and fun.

theWellHungarian:I wish we could trade the Pittsburgh Pirates for an MLS Soccer team ... Thoughts?

Bob SmizikI don't think an MLS team would work in Pittsburgh. The Riverhounds certainly don't attract large crowds. I'll stick with the Pirates.

theWellHungarian:if the Pirates extend their consecutive losing season streak, is it safe to say they are the worst professional sports team in the history of sports?

Bob SmizikI'd have to investigate that. But the Pirates would certainly be up there among some of the worst. The San Diego/LA Clippers were pretty bad. Same with the Arizona Cardinals.

chooch79:Bob, I need a long-shot pick for my US Open pool. Can you ask Dulac for some advice?

Bob SmizikI can't reach Gerry. I have a hard-and-fast rule on picking golf winners: Tiger, Tiger, Tiger, Tiger, Tiger.

James_Zerfoss:I just want to make a comment on the Pirates drafting of pitchers. The Pirates have not drafted a pitcher since 1983 that has had back to back 10 plus win seasons with a winning record in a Pirate uniform. The pitcher (John Smiley) was also the last pitcher the Pirates drafted that finished a season with 100 plus innings and a sub 3.00 ERA!!!

Bob SmizikInteresting statistics. I can't say I'm greatly surprised. I've written many times that the Pirates greatest shortcoming has been an inability to draft and develop players. They have been particularly weak in developing pitchers. The names don't exactly roll off the tongue: Candelaria, Smiley, Don Robinson, Loaiza. I'm sure there are others, but not many.

LouLipps:A serious question. Could you foul a pitch off in the women's college world series?

Bob SmizikOnly if I attempted to bunt.

LouLipps:Bob- Who do you like in Euro 2008?

Bob SmizikWhat's the Euro 2008?

YeOldeBuccoFan:What's worse: not having a winning season for 16 years, or not winning a World Series for 100 years?

Bob SmizikI think the former. The Cubs have delivered plenty of winning and exciting baseball over the past 100 years. They've been to the World Series, they've won division titles. I know if I were a Cubs fan, I'd be happier with my franchise than a Pirates fan with his.

Mister_8.7:Who are your favorite columnists across the US?

Bob SmizikThere are a lot of good ones outside of Pittsburgh. For pure venom, Jay Marriotti, a Washington County native, is outstanding with the Chicago Sun Times. A guy not well known but very good is Mike Wise with the Washington Post. Mark Whicker at the Orange County Register is excellent. Bill Plaschke at the LA Times could be the best in the country.

Artie_Lange:Was Russell awake in the dugout last night in the 7th or did he take too much Ambien? Talk about stupid managing.

Bob SmizikRussell was too married to pitch count. So what if the pitch count was only 75. That wasn't what mattered. What mattered was his pitcher was getting hammered. I don't think he had anyone up in the bullpen until after the third homer.

chooch79:Any chance the Steelers might consider having Bruce Davis take some snaps for Aaron Smith at DE?

Bob SmizikIt all depends what he shows in training camp and the exhibition games. As we saw last year, the Steelers need A. Smith on the field.

Artie_Lange:If you can afford to buy Seven Springs resort, shouldn't you be able to afford Pedro Alvarez?

Bob SmizikNot necessarily. Seven Springs is a profit maker. There's no guarantee Alvarez will help the Pirates generate a profit or even help them win games. He is no sure thing. No one is. That being said, I think the Pirates will sign Alvarez.

swolfe:Have you ever been approached or would you do a show like ESPN's "Around the Horn"?

Bob SmizikNever been approached. I think they stay with larger cities. From what I hear about their pay, I'd be glad to do it.

James_Zerfoss:Since the amateur draft began, I don't think the Pirates have drafted a pitcher that went on to win a Cy Young. If I am wrong I hope someone can correct me.

Bob SmizikThe only PIrates to win the Cy Young, I believe, are Vernon Law and Doug Drabek. Neither was drafted by the Pirates. Law was originally signed and developed by them. There was no draft when he came out of high school. Drabek was acquired in a trade with the Yankees.

Mister_8.7:Does Max Talbot's 3rd OT goal rank with the Immaculate Reception or Maz's HR?

Bob SmizikNot even close. Talbot's goal extended a series -- which the Penguins eventually lost. Maz won the World Series. Franco won a playoff game.

Mister_8.7:Who is the front runner for the 1250 3-7PM show?

Bob SmizikI have to think that somewhere in this country there is a guy working in a market smaller than Pittsburgh who is as edgy as Mark Madden but who would not go over the top like Madden. If anyone is capable of finding such a person, it's ESPN. Randy Baughman, a big hit on the Morning Show on WDVE, was working in Erie before coming to Pittsburgh. ESPN needs to find that guy.

theWellHungarian:Any hope in getting Mike Lange back on TV?

Bob SmizikI doubt Mike will be asked back.

LouLipps:I know you write about media. So answer this please: has ESPN become too gimmicky? Is it too much about the delivery and the personalities and not enough about the content?

Bob SmizikCovering the media is part of my job. You're right about ESPN but they continue to be enormously successful. The people running ESPN in Bristol are very, very smart. When the public tires of its act, the act will change.

James_Zerfoss:I would not say that bringing in Lofton and Sanders was aimed at competing. I would say they were cheap stop gaps.

Bob SmizikI used them as an example of not rebuilding. I did not offer a comment on the economics of the situation. The 2003 team with Giles, Kendall,Ramirez, Lofton, Sanders, J. Wilson, Stairs was the best Pirates team since 1997.

Mister_8.7:One blog I hope you avoid is Curt Schilling's.

Bob SmizikI read blogs by journalists, not athletes.

James_Zerfoss:In reference to the worst team in sports one should check the Phillies that had the 16 year losing streak because I believe they had losing season in like 22 out of 23 years.

Bob SmizikThat's a good comparison. The Phillies of that era could be worse than the Pirates of this era.

swolfe:Interesting piece on Timmons / Foote in today's paper. Do you really believe it will be an open competion? Or will Foote have to dramatically outplay Timmons?

Bob SmizikThe coach wants to win football games. He will play the best player. Why wouldn't it be an open competition. Do you really think they'd start the lesser player?

Artie_Lange:Bob, did Tom Donaghy referee Super Bowl XL?

Bob SmizikDon't make Pittsburgh the cry baby capital of sports.

LouLipps:If it is someone else, not the Big Unit, does MLB fine the player for the "stretcher" comments?

Bob SmizikLet's see if MLB does anything. It should. Those comments are out of bounds. I don't think the player making them was a factor. Why should MLB be concerned about the feelings of an over-the-hill pitcher.

James_Zerfoss:But someone might have won a Cy Young with another team but was drafted by the Pirates.

Bob SmizikMight have, but, I'd bet, did not.

charleston_charlies:The Pirates have said all year that if they were not in contention the would start trading away players. .500 is not contention. Bay and Nady are gone its only a matter of time.

Bob Smizik.500 can be contention. It was in 1997. Let's see where they stand in July. The team's decision should not be based on record but on games behind.

LouLipps:Has satellite radio approached Mark Madden to your knowledge?

Bob SmizikMark is not talking to the media, as far as I know. I suspect that might be an avenue for his talents.

Tony:Bob, What do you think happened to Ronnie Paulino? Was his batting average in 2006 just a fluke or did he just get too out of shape, or started not to care anymore? I think all the talk from Tracy and his staff about how good Paulino was at calling a game was just a bunch of horsefeathers

Bob SmizikWhat happened to Paulino also happened to Warren Morris. He looked like the team's second baseman of the future. He had one good year. It's a demanding and tough game. Teams change their tactics against successful players and the players must adapt. Paulino didn't. Clearly, though, he also had an attitude problem. He's been a terror in two games at Indy. Maybe he learned a lesson.

Mister_8.7:How can a school like Duquesne attract transfers from Louisville and Kentucky? I hope Everhart gets them to the NCAAs this year because its only a matter of time before they are on probation.

Bob SmizikAnd your proof of that is what?

theWellHungarian:The Riverhounds are a "minor-league" team in soccer, If Pittsburgh had a legitimate team, they would attract more than the Buccos

Bob SmizikDream on.

Artie_Lange:In looking at the worst teams of all time shouldn't the Steelers from 1933-1970 qualify?

Bob SmizikThe Steelers were not very good during that period, but they did have some winning seasons in the mix. They never went 15 years without winning.

swolfe:The O's are wearing throwback jerseys on Friday, will the Pirates be wearing ones as well?

Bob SmizikDon't know but that's usually the case.

Shaler_Max:The Phillies losing streak includes the WWII years, so that streak is a little different

Bob SmizikNot necessarily so. All teams were in decline during the War but the playing field was level.

Shaler_Max:Tomlin wants to win games; he also wants to look good. His first round 1 pick not cracking the starting lineup for 2 years doesn't make him look good.

Bob SmizikTomlin is not in charge of the draft. It does not reflect on him like the record of the team. He wants to win. He wouldn't even mind looking stupid in the process. I can't believe you think they would start a lesser player for cosmetic purposes.

LouLipps:A serious question: if you were a high school kid, with a huge scholarship offer in front of you, what positives would you see in playing in the Big 33 game? Every year when this game comes around I shake my head.

Bob SmizikYou shake it no harder than I do. Those games should be abolished. Shame on the PIAA for letting them exist. At one time they were a showcase. In this era every player long ago was showcased and cataloged.

theWellHungarian:That's because the Bucco's are a "Minor League" team playing in the Majors, if a soccer team had "major" talent and played in the "major league," they would blow the Pirates away ... Soccer is the World's game

Bob SmizikSoccer is BORING. It is not making it in this country and never will.

Artie_Lange:Whcih happens first: the Pirates have a winning season or someone stays awake for an entire soccer game?

Bob SmizikPirates have a winning season. Pirates win World Series.

swolfe:The Timmons article gave the impression that Foote was facing an uphill battle. I guess thats where the comments are coming from.

Bob SmizikHe is. Foote has been a serviceable LB. Timmons can be a Pro Bowl LB.

theWellHungarian:what are the chances of Mike Lange returning to TV? ... Steigy is painful to listen to ... Mike Lange is a legend

Bob SmizikI like Steigerwald. Don't find him painful at all. Lange, of course, is excellent. I'm not sure Mike's style isn't better suited for radio.

Mister_8.7:Anytime we watch a Pirate game this week we will be overwhelmed with talk about Jack Wilson's bowling outing and the 4th inning trivia contest. Do the Pirates announcers (besides Walk) ever bother talking about the game?

Bob SmizikToo much idle chatter, not doubt. Too much talk about the barrelhead of the bat, too. It's a tough job with a lot of time to fill. I don't care about the announcers personal lives.

jimb056:How's Brad Eldred, you may ask. 20 Homers and 55 RBI's for the White Sox AAA afiliate. Is he going to be a superstar in the American League? It seemed to me that he would be OK as a DH

Bob SmizikHe also has 71 strikeouts and is batting about .250. He has a chance, but I'd call it slight.

Shaler_Max:I can't believe you are so naive to think the coaches egos and the amount of money sunk in a player have no influence?

Bob SmizikMoney and draft status are a factor. But the Steelers also have sunk a lot of money into Foote. More, in fact, than they've sunk in Timmons. The best player will start. Thanks for all the great questions. Jerry Micco will be back next week.