PirateBan: Good Day! Am I the only one who is astounded and dismayed at Delwynn Young's complete lack of baseball knowledge and awareness of situations on the field? Honestly, Moss may struggle for prolonged periods, but Young is just plain clueless, especially in the outfield.

Dejan Kovacevic: Young has not looked good in the field, not in the outfield, not at second base. The Pirates express optimism that this can improve, but it would appear to be quite the challenge. ... It does look like he can hit, though. ... Hello to one and all, by the way.

bucsfaninfla: DK, good day. I think everyone feels it is a foregone conclusion that Adam LaRoche will be dealt by the trade deadline, since no long term contracts were ever seriously discussed. His recent offensive surge highlights how little in the way of power will be left in the lineup once he's inevitably gone. Kinda scary to think of the lineup without him. As you point out, he is not the quintessential clean-up hitter, but who will be that if/when Adam is gone? (big shudder!)

Dejan Kovacevic: It should not be considered a foregone conclusion, in that someone will have to assume the prorated portion of his $7 million salary, have a clear need at first base and no other position, and give the Pirates something in return. ... At any rate, the cleanup hitter will be the same as it was earlier in the year: Ryan Doumit.

jefft: Dejan--Ever since Snell's 130+ pitch game earlier this year, it seems like JR is reluctant to send pitchers too deep into a game. Duke was at 94 pitches after 6 innings last night. Granted, that's not incredibly efficient, but I would think he could have at least sent him out for one more inning. Thoughts?

Dejan Kovacevic: Duke and the Pirates had a huge lead, and it was a hot night. Better to save your top starter, one might say, for greater challenges.

znc1: Huntington made an interesting pick-up a few weeks ago in getting former St. Louis first-round pick Tyler Herron off of waivers, but he's been in the bullpen so far. With Lincoln's promotion, do you think he'll move into the rotation? He was a pretty good prospect.

Dejan Kovacevic: He also has pitched well out of the pen for Altoona, but no, there is no indication yet he will go into the rotation. The Curve moved Derek Hankins there for now.

SeanE: Dejan: if Lincoln can be as effective at Indy as he was in Altoona is there a chance he would be a September call up? Also, would he be given a shot to join the rotation next spring?

Dejan Kovacevic: I am hearing there is no good reason Lincoln is not in Pittsburgh right now. And the way he pitched last night in Lehigh Valley did not exactly refute that.

BucFan4evr: Dejan, given the combined speed of McCutchen and Morgan and their near-collision last night, is there any possibility that Morgan will start positioning himself a bit more honestly in left field? These auto-doubles on routine hits to left are starting to get annoying.

Dejan Kovacevic: The positioning will remain the same, largely to afford McCutchen the freedom to roam more toward right. Hard to argue with the overall results of the outfield defense to date, even if there is the odd ball that drops onto the left-field line.

Bucsin09: After Craig Monroe was DFA'd, was he released or is he still in limbo?

Dejan Kovacevic: Still in limbo. One would imagine, based on the terms of his departure, that he will not be back. The Pirates were very disappointed in that play in Minneapolis, as I wrote.

CyBixler: It appears Neal Huntington prefers speed and defense to OBP and power. Does this seem like the formula to building a winner to you?

Dejan Kovacevic: I would not say he prefers it. I would say he is playing the hand that is dealt, to some extent.

Bucsin09: Is Garrett Jones seen by management as a prospect or simply AAA depth? He seems to be doing quite well in AAA. Has that caught anyone's attention?

Dejan Kovacevic: Yes. As mentioned in the Notebook the other day, the Pirates have been very happy with Jones' power and poise at the plate, especially of late, and consider him a candidate for promotion.

CyBixler: Adam LaRoche continues to smash that ball (1.077 OPS in June). The San Francisco Giants continue to lead the NL Wild Card despite a legitimate 1B. It would seem like they should make fantastic trade partner, agree?

Dejan Kovacevic: I have yet to hear LaRoche's name come up in any substantive trade talks.

ajt123: Prior to the season you stated that our pitching was the greatest weakness of the team. Do you still agree with that premise even with the dearth of Power at the Major AND Minor league level?

Dejan Kovacevic: I did not write that it was the greatest weakness. I wrote that it was the greatest variable, in that it was highly unpredictable. To date, with the exception of Zach Duke, all of the starters have been very much inconsistent, as has the bullpen.

ajt123: Nice to see Alvarez and Lincoln on the All-Star team, are there any others who had a chance to make it?

Dejan Kovacevic: I cannot imagine who else would have received consideration, especially given that, if Alvarez and Lincoln continue this rate of ascent, they never will have a chance to compete in another Futures Game.

gorillagogo: If Snell continues to struggle, do you think it's more likely he'd head to the bullpen or Indianapolis?

Dejan Kovacevic: Given the precedent set by the Pirates' approach with Tom Gorzelanny -- that he has greater value to the team if he is starting -- I would assume an optioning to Indianapolis would be more likely.

Amos_P_Swanson: Dejan, I know the Pirates are not for sale, but everything is at the right price. I recently read the franchise is worth somewhere in the area of 242 mil ... What price would it take for Nutting to unload it? Remember ... There is always a price.

Dejan Kovacevic: Impossible to project a price for something that is not for sale. I know that is not the answer you are looking for, but hard to address it any other way.

Pirate_Fan_in_GA: DK, with all the negativity about Snell (and rightfully so), not much is being said about Ohlendorf. He has struggled as of late. Before he started to struggle in the 5th and 6th innings, but now it has extened to the entire game.

Dejan Kovacevic: One thing about seeing Charlie Morton come here and immediately throw 95 mph: It functioned for me as a reminder that Ohlendorf was supposed to throw even harder than that, yet rarely tops 92 mph. Perhaps he needs to simply rear back and find some of that gas.

Intriguing_Bat: What's the deal with Gorkys Hernandez? Removed because of reaction to a called thrid strike? Gorkys not making much of a first impression and you only get one of those.

Dejan Kovacevic: The Pirates' new development people are very strict, as has been documented on our pages. Matt Walbeck did not like what he saw and, even after Hernandez had taken to center field following that out, called him right off the field. Be very sure that Walbeck has the full backing of the development staff.

Artie_Lange: How did your back hold up on the roadtrip? Thanks for your hard work.

Dejan Kovacevic: Everything is great, Artie. Many thanks. Amazing, the things in life we take for granted.

Jeff_King: Hey DK, how much influence does Neal Huntington have, or GM's in general, in deciding lineups, and pitching rotations. For example, who ultimately decides if Ian Snell stays in the rotation, Huntington or Russell?

Dejan Kovacevic: Something of that scope would involve Huntington. But, if Russell goes to Huntington and says, "Look, I've lost faith in this guy," Huntington would appear to have little choice but to back his manager.

znc1: I assume Jaramillo is likely the backup catcher when Doumit returns. Will Diaz go back to AAA, or will he stay on the roster. I thought I heard that he played other positions in the minors (but probably not well).

Dejan Kovacevic: Either the Pirates will move Doumit, or Diaz will go back. Given Diaz's shortcomings defensively and Russell's priority on that area, he would be odd man out. But the team also can be expected to give long thought to Doumit.

Duke4Cy: What is your prediction for this homestand? I'm thinking 4-5 ...

Dejan Kovacevic: I only know that Cliff Lee and Zack Greinke are in big trouble against this group, given the way they handle top pitchers. (And are miserable against guys with 7-plus ERAs.)

Artie_Lange: When is PNC Park going to offer Starbucks in the press box?

Dejan Kovacevic: Amen, brother!

Andrew_s_Army: Who comes off the 40 man roster to make room for the second coming himself, Virgil Vasquez, if he is indeed called up?

Dejan Kovacevic: Vasquez already is on the 40-man.

Sam: I believe Joe Kerrigan was the most valuable pickup this past offseason. I realize the pitchers (besides Duke) has been inconsistent, do you think as they work more Kerrigan they will get better and more reliable?

Dejan Kovacevic: Honestly, I do. His depth of knowledge, preparation and communication skills are unlike anything I have seen in a pitching coach on this beat. I happen to share your sentiment about most valuable pickup.

SeanE: Speaking of Gorzelanny, when will we see him back up in a starting role. He seems to have done everything the team has asked since being sent back down.

Dejan Kovacevic: Yes, he does. His most recent start Monday drew all kinds of praise from management. Clearly, the Pirates need to figure something out there, when the pitchers at Indianapolis are out-performing some in Pittsburgh.

Amos_P_Swanson: Does Charlie Morton have a history with hamstring problems that you are aware of?

Dejan Kovacevic: No, he does not. Which is good. Hamstrings never really fully heal.

littlethieve: Nyjer Morgan slipped rounding second base Tuesday night. He was watching the ball fall in front of the center field while running the bases with two outs. Look down, hit the bag, and make the turn Nyjer. Bad baserunning or bad break?

Dejan Kovacevic: Morgan is an adventure out there, good and bad. More good than bad this season, I would venture to say.

TonyAlvarez: Hi Dejan. Coming into the year, Jamie Romak looked like a decent prospect but has struggled immensely in AA. What has happened to him and how does management view him now?

Dejan Kovacevic: Romak waits for a pitch he can destroy, which sometimes means he waits all day. His prospect status is very much in doubt, though there are some who still like him.

Pickman: With the passing of the torch from Fehr to ... ? Is there any chance we can see anything resembling a salary cap? (something that exists in every major team sport but baseball)

Dejan Kovacevic: Mike Weiner has served under Fehr forever. His resolve on that matter should be no different. But, as I have written many times, this has less to do with union resolve and more to do with the owners: If the owners want it and band together, plain and simple, they get it.

Bucsfan: Has there been any discussion about switching Morgan and McCutchen in the batting order?

Dejan Kovacevic: No. The Pirates love the idea of having McCutchen as a leadoff man for years, and their priority is on doing what is right by him more than anything. Hard to argue with the early results in that regard, obviously.

Artie_Lange: Is the Pirates Charities sign really that bad?

Dejan Kovacevic: Just awful. And, in the scope of the most beautiful ballpark anywhere, it flat-out does not belong.

Intriguing_Bat: Alvarez had nearly 70k's and a .247 average. I know about the power, but did he really earn a promotion? Seems to me it was a PR move.

Dejan Kovacevic: Really? Based on what PR benefit? How many tickets were sold in Pittsburgh because they moved a prospect from Class A to AA? And, if it were a PR move, why would Neal Huntington publicly -- in Ron Cook's column from Erie -- laugh at all the attention the move got and pretty much label it ridiculous?

Lee_Tunnell: Haven't heard much of the Neil Walker being blocked lately. I think you're finally getting that point through!!

Dejan Kovacevic: He has been hurt. Wait until he returns.

Artie_Lange: Did Carl Pavano's fastball hit 85 last night? This guy has really fallen off the cliff.

Dejan Kovacevic: A Yankees fan would tell you it takes a lot less than falling off a cliff to injure Pavano. Maybe he is hurt again.

SeanE: Amen on the owners getting a salary cap if united! What are the odds we will see that? Slim or none.

Dejan Kovacevic: None. The resolve is not there.

Scuba_Steve: I see in the blog that Tony Sanchez's final game with State College was last night. Where is he going now?

Dejan Kovacevic: To the Johnny Bench awards ceremony for a couple days, then to join the West Virginia team a level higher.

BlueDevilBuccos: How long can Donnie Veal be in the wilderness? Isn't there some limit to shelving him?

Dejan Kovacevic: Thirty days in the wilderness.

Pirate_Fan_in_GA: Your earlier comment about Lincoln has me hoping the Pirates take their time with him. No need having him throw a ton of pitches or innings considering our lack of depth(I disagree with Pirates brass on Vasquez being depth). I would rather see him get to start in the Spring and then be a late May/June call-up like Hanson in ATL or Cutch here in Pitt.

Dejan Kovacevic: When I write that people see him as ready, the reference purely is to his pitching, not whether or not it makes contractual sense.

jg09: Any new trade rumors involving Adam, Jack or Freddy?

Dejan Kovacevic: I would not keep such things secret. That would be in the regular coverage.

schreibdog: Dejan, what's the story with Michael Dubee? This guy gets picked up and absolutely tears it up in Lynchburg. Is this guy considered a prospect? Is he a hard thrower?

Dejan Kovacevic: He is a gutsy thrower, the way I've heard him described, but he has plenty of refinement ahead if he is to polish into a major league-caliber talent. Tremendous control numbers, though.

gmg: As far as the publicity aspect of Alvarez' promotion, why didn't they at least do it when Altoona was home?

Dejan Kovacevic: Again, what was the PR benefit? And yeah, if you are doing it to draw attention from cameras and microphones in Pittsburgh, you would have promoted him in Altoona, an hour away, rather than Erie. ... This subject gets tired.

SEW: What incentive would the Yankees, Sox and other big spenders have to go for a cap?

Dejan Kovacevic: Because they make a ton more profit. That is how the NHL sold its cap to the Rangers, Red Wings and Maple Leafs, among others.

jg09: Any chance Brad Lincoln gets a shot in PIttsburgh if Snell continues to struggle?

Dejan Kovacevic: One would have nothing to do with the other. Teams that move prospects based on filling holes at other levels tend not to do right by the prospect. In Andrew McCutchen's case, it was more a matter of timing than anything. One could argue McCutchen was ready well before he arrives. ... One more ...

PirateApologist: They may not sign him, but is it safe to say that Sano will definitely get an offer?

Dejan Kovacevic: It is safe to say that, based on the Pirates' level of interest. It has not happened yet, as the Pirates and a couple other teams appear to be feeling out the process. No one wants to break that $4.2 million record the Athletics set with Michael Inoa last year. ... Pittsburgh vs. Cleveland tonight ... chat again Monday.