Dejan Kovacevic: Greetings, angry citizens, and congratulations on finding this place. Had a hard time doing it myself. ... At any rate, go easy on me today. I was off for a week and only today am getting back into the swing ...

RBarnesy: hi Dejan, I know that the Pirates have till the 15th of August to sign Pedro Alvarez, and other draft picks, I really hope they sign him soon because I am very excited to see him in a Pirate uniform soon. Have you been hearing anything? And when do you think they will sign Alvarez?

Dejan Kovacevic: It has been remarkably quiet, and I expect it will stay that was, as both sides have agreed to keep it that way. My sense is that the Pirates remain optimistic it will get done, but that nothing is imminent.

GaryRedus: What are the chances that Jack Wilson is traded to LA and do you think we could get Kemp, OF and Hu, SS?

Dejan Kovacevic: That will be up to the Dodgers. If they can produce at least one very good, possibly outstanding pitching prospect and someone who can replace Wilson -- Hu would appear adequate at least as a possibility -- that might be enough. Outfielders are not something the Pirates are pursuing, though I am sure they would not turn up their nose at a very good one. The ball is in Los Angeles' court.

JW: How much is Sanchez's shoulder injury responsible for his poor season thus far?

Dejan Kovacevic: Probably more than he lets on, if only because it threw him out of his rhythm after a very good offensive spring, and he has recovered only in spurts. Yes, it is a factor, though not terribly so from the physical side.

smyers: What is the plan for Gorzo? Does he get as many starts as he needs at Indy then he'll be brought back up?

Dejan Kovacevic: Sounds like there is no timetable other than however long it takes for him to get back to pitching the way he did last year. I found it interesting that his first start will not come until Saturday, a clear sign, I think, that they also wanted him to step away from it all for a bit.

James_Taipei: If Neal Huntington is going to get the Pirates back into contention, I think he should make a bold mood and trade Jack Wilson if he can get enough in return. He can sign a stopgap shortstop in the offseason. What is your take?

Dejan Kovacevic: Not sure how bold the move would be from a baseball standpoint, if it nets elite talent in return. There might be a public relations hit, one would think, given how popular Wilson is in the region. But moving a shortstop at age 30 for elite talent hardly strikes me as daring, given the Pirates' many needs.

RBarnesy: Dejan, With the July 31st trade deadline do you maybe see a blockbuster deal with the Braves? The Braves really need a impact bat in the outfield starting with Left field. I really see Nady going to Atlanta for Chuck James. I would love to see Bay, Nady, and Marte to Atlanta for Francouer, Jurrjens, and maybe a prospect. I would love to keep Bay, but if we can get a blockbuster deal like that you need to take it!

Dejan Kovacevic: OK, we're getting silly now. Is it ever possible to talk about potential trades without including seven players on each side?

412: Any chance Bay or Nady takes Soriano's spot in the ASG?

Dejan Kovacevic: Given that neither was part of that leftover vote, I would think not.

Jim: Why does the guy with the worst ERA in major-league baseball history with at least 16 starts get another chance Wednesday?

Dejan Kovacevic: Largely because the team is devoid of pitching depth.

Osoria_AS_Snub: July is here already and we're 7 games under. Who is beyond a doubt playing their last couple weeks as a Pirate?

Dejan Kovacevic: I would put nobody in that category, if only because Damaso Marte can net a couple of draft picks if he walks as a free agent. If not for that, I would say Marte is sure to go.

bucco_in_texas: DK - Do you feel that the Pirates would have rather had Nady as our AS rep. As I am sure they are going to trade him, wouldn't trading an all-star bring a better list of prospects?

Dejan Kovacevic: I am sure that it was not up to the Pirates. Besides, any team on the other end basing a trade on whether or not a player is an All-Star needs to do better homework.

bucfan57: Hey, DK. The starting pitching was supposed to be a team strength going into the season, with another year of experience under their belts. With things not exactly working out - for the team in general, and the rotation in particular - do you think it's time for the "untouchable" label to be removed from the teams young starters?

Dejan Kovacevic: The word "untouchable" is likely to come up quite a bit in the next three weeks. It seldom is used by the people actually conducting sports business. And the Pirates, specifically, have no player in that category. They did let teams know that Snell, Gorzelanny and Matt Capps would be very hard to get last offseason, but they never -- according to them -- slammed the phone down on anybody who asked.

JVB_MVP: I realize Huntington is technically correct that the Pirates do not HAVE to trade anyone and are under no financial strain, but how much of his outspokenness on this matter do you believe is trade leverage? E.G., the anti-Littlefield approach?

Dejan Kovacevic: Not sure what you mean. Littlefield would say pretty much the same thing regarding financial constraints.

puget_sound_pirate: Any word on other potential draft pick signings soon?

Dejan Kovacevic: Looking very quiet on other fronts. The Pirates have the top two picks to get wrapped up, and they apparently want to have sixth-rounder Robbie Grossman, but not at an unreasonable price. Beyond that, there might be an offer or two dangling out there to be taken or rejected, but no more than that. Still looking at about 30 or so getting signed.

SameOlSameOl: Are there any indications what Huntington's feelings are about the minor leagues having some of the worst combined winning percentages in recent years-is this because the new regime is more concerned with evaluating & actually teaching up & comers, or is this something that needs to be of concern?

Dejan Kovacevic: It is probably a bit of both. The winning percentage in Altoona means almost nothing because there are so few prospects there, for example. But the Pirates probably would like to see State College winning more often than once a week, given that half its roster came from the recent draft. ... But your larger point is correct: Wins and losses do not mean much in the minors. Developing talent does. If the Pirates wanted to win in the minors, they could have less restrictive pitch limits.

SandlotWizard: I remember that in college, JVBenschoten was an excellent ... closer. Why haven't they tried him or Bullington in the bullpen?

Dejan Kovacevic: They have, but only to a tiny extent. Bottom line with Van Benschoten is throwing strikes, and that shortcoming might be heightened further in brief appearances.

SameOlSameOl: What actually was Jeff Andrews background prior to him being elected our Pitching Coach-I find it more than a little odd how EVERYONE of our starting pitchers (including some of our relievers) are now collectively throwing far slower than they have in the past-any indication that Andrews job could be on thin ice?

Dejan Kovacevic: Andrews spent the previous 22 years as a pitching coach or coordinator, the last five of those in the Pirates' system, where he was almost revered by people at all levels. The results have been mostly poor this season, obviously, but no, there is no indication whatsoever of the job being in jeopardy.

WieterLess: Dejan, Littlefield built this team around pitching-- Is it fair to say he was the worst GM in the history of baseball?

Dejan Kovacevic: That covers a lot of ground. Hard to say. There probably are few in these parts who would dispute it, I am guessing.

JVB_MVP: Who starts at first base for the Pirates in 2009?

Dejan Kovacevic: Adam LaRoche. One last chance to put together a full season.

dumatrait_for_pres: DK - The sweep this weekend, combined with Sabathia coming to our NLC end the pirates realistic shot at contention and open the doors for a slew of trades and callups?

Dejan Kovacevic: Not sure what an "NLC" is, but the Pirates' chances of winning have less to do with Milwaukee and more to do with their own lousy place in the standings. Yes, one would think it is about time to begin looking forward.

Jim_I: Game tied 0-0, bottom of the 8th, Maholm at the plate batting 8th. Whats JR going to do?

Dejan Kovacevic: How many outs are there? Anyone on base? What's Maholm's pitch count? Who is up next for the opponent?

Chad_Hermansen_s_Hermits: Hi Dejan, I've noticed that the Yankees aren't wearing All Star Game logos on their uniforms. In 2006 the Pirates wore the All Star game logo on their jerseys in to September. (I heard that Kevin McClatchey even got an All Star Game Tribal Tattoo). So my question is, do the Yankees have any sense of pride? Or is there just no respect for baseball history in the Bronx?

Dejan Kovacevic: That's very good. All of baseball would do well to keep their uniforms as clean as the Yankees have.

werfamily: How has the demotion of Gorzo affected the clubhouse, and especially the Pirates pitchers?

Dejan Kovacevic: I was off for the entire trip. I will not be in the clubhouse until this afternoon.

CecelioGuante: Dejan: Why use an option and bring up a true prospect like Steve Pearce to just sit the bench? Why not bring up someone like Craig Wilson since he has major-league bench experience? He might not have the great minor-league stats, but it seems like they wasted time and and option with Pearce.

Dejan Kovacevic: Pearce's 2008 option was used as soon as he was sent back out of spring training. The time here does count against his major league service but only by a week. ... As for Wilson, he would have to be added to a full 40-man roster. Pearce does not.

praveen: Has Littlefield gotten a job anywhere?

Dejan Kovacevic: Scout for the Cubs. Several months ago.

RV: If the Indians can only get one top prospect and a couple add ons for CC Sabathia (a CY Young winner!), it doesn't seem reasonable that the Pirates should expect anything similar if they were to trade any of their top players. What do you think?

Dejan Kovacevic: The bar should not be set too high. I know little about the prospects Milwaukee gave up other than Matt LaPorta, though, and maybe the Indians really liked those guys, too. ... Oh, one other thing: Trading Nady or Bay is different than trading Sabathia in the sense that Sabathia will be a free agent after this season, and Nady or Bay would not have that option until after 2009. Extra value.

humbucker: I was shocked (SHOCKED!) that none of the Pirates pitchers made the all-star team ... but seriously, even before his injury, Ryan Doumit had little chance as a write-in candidate, so the Pirates' all star had to be an outfielder. But was Nate the right choice? Don't get me wrong, I like Nate, but he's cooled considerably lately. I would have been just as happy with Nady or Bay as the Pirates' all-star this year.

Dejan Kovacevic: I have been getting emails from readers citing McLouth's month-by-month decline as some sort of evidence that this makes him undeserving of the selection. Since when were All-Stars judged on their monthly splits? ... Look at McLouth's ranking among all major league center fielders, and you have my answer.

PittPanthers90: I was convinced last year hat Tracy was overusing our pitching staff. WIll Russell learn from this and shut guys down at the en of the year when the games are meaningless?

Dejan Kovacevic: One would hope that Russell, as well as people over his head, would be very diligent in following long-term plans for the proper handling of the Pirates' pitchers.

Charleston_Charlies: If the Pirates trade no one, how could this help a team that is going no where and and has very few prospects in the minor league system capable of playing in the majors. Essentially, wouldn't they be in the same spot next year as they are now?

Dejan Kovacevic: Well, yeah.

smyers: Do you think Yoslan Herrara is in line to get the next spot start? I noticed the mention of his good outing with the GM in attendance. If not him, then who?

Dejan Kovacevic: If the Pirates were planning for Herrera to come to Pittsburgh, they probably would have kept him in Indianapolis' rotation rather than sending him back to Altoona. Indianapolis is not exactly loaded in that area. ... If not Herrera, then Ty Taubenheim!

WieterLess: The Brewers just traded LaPorta, any chance we can get something for Moskos?

Dejan Kovacevic: I was waiting for that.

Jim: Was Coonelly joking when he said a couple weeks ago that the 2008 Pirates can compete for "championships"?

Dejan Kovacevic: That word is used quite a bit around the Pirates' offices, as that is the goal they set. No, he was not joking, and neither is anyone else when they say it. ... The bar they have set seems to be a good bit higher than the one by the general public. But it remains to be seen if they can do it. For sure, you look around now -- and the Brewers today -- and the models are there.

puget_sound_pirate: Any news on the international front signings? What can you tell us about the Columbian SS they recently signed?

Dejan Kovacevic: There will be more signings soon. Jonathan Barrios looks like he might be more of an offensive-type shortstop -- if he stays there -- with a build that looks more like Gary Sheffield than a shortstop. But I caution anyone against getting too excited about a 16-year-old kid. Lots can happen between Colombia and Bradenton, never mind Bradenton and Pittsburgh.

llash: Dejan, If the Pirate sign their top two picks plus Grossman, what grade would you give this draft?

Dejan Kovacevic: Depends on Scheppers' health, but it would appear to be pretty encouraging, though maybe not as scintillating as it might have appeared when they drafted several other above-slot types in lower rounds just to see if they could sign them.

RV: For years and years pitchers were pitching 200 plus innings consistently. Like Maddux, Glavine, Clemens, etc. why would that be a hindrance on pitchers? The great starting pitchers that are in the HOF all likely averaged 200 plus innings a year. Not saying any current Pirates are in that category. I just don't understand why that threshold would be a detriment.

Dejan Kovacevic: Neither do the people who are the most intimately knowledgeable and invested in the topic. And it drives baseball people crazy. ... As always, though, I warn against using arguments about how pitchers were tougher in the old days. Many, many things have changed, from the height of mounds, to the size and strength of the hitters to the smaller ballparks to a ton of things. Pick up Bob Gibson and put him in today's game through time travel, then get back to me.

WieterLess: If we trade away Wilson, Bay and Nady will we have the lowest payroll in MLB?

Dejan Kovacevic: Not even close. Florida is way down there. But I am sure it is a point many will raise, even if it truly is not the Pirates' motivation for making such trades.

MAdesso: DK, what do you think are starting outfield will be on Aug 1st?

Dejan Kovacevic: Bay, McLouth and Pearce. Little point in starting McCutchen's service clock that early, and little indication that it will happen.

Bucs: Without a very good replacement, it just doesn't make sense to trade a gold-glove caliber shortstop. 30 years old isn't exactly over-the-hill.

Dejan Kovacevic: Understood. And it will be a large challenge replacing Wilson. Everyone saw that early this season. ... One more ...

Rob: Dejan do you find it ironic or just a coincidence that only position that has been pretty good since Barry bonds left is his old position in LF? Al Martin...Giles...Bay

Dejan Kovacevic: Probably just coincidence. They have done pretty well for closers, too, all through these 15 losing seasons, even when it came to completely manufacturing them, as with Mike Williams and others. ... Heading to the park, if I can remember how to get there ...