Dejan Kovacevic: Afternoon, lunatics. A few hours before my maiden voyage to Philadelphia for baseball. Was there for hockey a zillion times, but Paul Meyer always made this trip in my first four years with the Pirates. Away we go ...

Doug_Mientkiewicz: If the pirates really do trade Ad. LaRoche, Freddy Sanchez and Jack Wilson....they would have to have the worst offense in baseball. Who do you think would get the starts and first, second and short?

Dejan Kovacevic: There are no internal answers at shortstop and second baseman, as I detailed again in Sunday's paper. In a pinch, it probably would look something like Brian Bixler and Luis Cruz. ... Many candidates for first, though none likely as productive as LaRoche.

shouldBworking: This goes to the haters who said McLouth wasn't a keeper. In the 27 games since the trade, his numbers are 296/504/854 with 5 HRs and 15 RBIs. With the current team desperate for production, that would look nice. Of course, I will be called an apologist for pointing that out. Not a question, just saying.

Dejan Kovacevic: What would make someone who pointed out that McLouth was a productive player a "hater?"

Heinous_Wagner: Type here Hey D. What's with Tony Beasley and his windmill arm? I know there are no stats on this, but is there a third base coach in the league that gets more runners thrown out at home? It happened again this week and happened a bunch of times last year. What gives?

Dejan Kovacevic: There actually are numbers on this, but not readily available. Plain and simple, the coaching staff's approach is that they are not going to score many runs because they very seldom get that backbreaking hit, never mind one for extra bases. They err on the side of risk, evidently.

letsgo: History in the making...That was some bad and boring baseball over the last 2 weeks. Looking ahead at the schedule they will be at least 15 games under by the trade deadline, making it very easy for management to dump the remaining vets.

Dejan Kovacevic: The baseball, on the Pirates' end, has been absymally dull for the most part, largely because of the offense. But I always equate "bad" baseball with lousy defense, and that really has not suffered. Mostly because of that middle infield.

BuccoBlaster: DK-more of a comment than a question. Just wanted to pass along that I thought Colin Dunlap did a great job in Houston. You can tell he knows the game.

Dejan Kovacevic: Agreed on both counts. And I am sure it is appreciated by Colin.

Arriba_Wilver: Hi Dejan. I know nothing will happen on Sano until MLB rules on his age, but is there anything new? Last I saw the Pirates made an offer, the O's are in touch with him daily, the O's are planning to make an offer and the O's aren't going to "break the bank" to sign him. If all that is true it sounds like if the PBC wants him they can get him.

Dejan Kovacevic: If there were anything new, I certainly would not keep it a secret or save it for a chat. It would be in the regular news coverage. As you correctly note, nothing is happening until this investigation ends. A couple other teams have pecked lately, but everything is stalled.

FiveYearPlan: In pregame has Young been working mainly in the outfield or at second base?

Dejan Kovacevic: Most of Delwyn Young's work is in the outfield. Management insists that Young can be a second baseman, but there has been nothing readily evident to support that.

diskoe: When Dumatrait gets activated, will he immediately rejoin the rotation?

Dejan Kovacevic: When I watched Dumatrait throw Monday in Bradenton, first of all, he looked quite good and made about 60 pitches. But he still is seen as long relief, if and when he returns. I am betting on September.

SeanE: Dejan: Something I was curious about. If Sanchez gets traded before the All-Star game would he get to go? Every team needs to have one representative and he is the Pirates lone pick. What happens in that situation?

Dejan Kovacevic: Sanchez still would go. I believe the Pirates still would get to send a player, though I am not sure how. Will check on it.

Polka: So will it be Doumit getting called up Friday, or someone else? Might the fans see another trade before the start of the Phillies series?

Dejan Kovacevic: Doumit will not be coming Friday. The other player will not be known until tomorrow, but it is not Doumit.

CometLittlefield: Just noticed that Jack Wilson is having a virtually identical offensive season to Andy LaRoche. That's more of a compliment to Jack, I think ... what with maybe the best defense of his career. Do you think his increased offensive production could help lead him to his first, long overdue Gold Glove?

Dejan Kovacevic: If the managers who do the voting pay attention to the most advanced defensive metrics available -- and they do not, for the most part -- Wilson would win. If they pay attention to the highlight shows -- and they do -- Wilson would win. If they go reflexively, they will give it to Jimmy Rollins or another bigger name.

Doug_Mientkiewicz: We have a A ball hitter who gets promoted to AA for hitting like .230. We have an A ball pitcher who is like 10-1 and hasn't moved at all. What am I missing?

Dejan Kovacevic: The Pirates do expect to move up Rudy Owens at some point this season. I wrote about three weeks ago that they want to see how pitchers react to hearing and reading about potential promotions. Well, that test seems to have been cleared. Unless I am mistaken, Owens has not allowed another run since that piece ran.

SeanE: Hi Dean: Has Garret Jones played himself into the everyday first baseman job once Adam LaRoche is gone ... either at the deadline or next year? I can't remember the last guy of his size that could run that well? Dave Parker?

Dejan Kovacevic: Brad Eldred actually ran OK, and he was even bigger, but your point stands. Yes, Jones is going to play. John Russell's enthusiasm for his first impression is unmistakable. And Jones can play first base.

DerekBellLives: Any word on what the Pirates' asking price is for Freddie Sanchez?

Dejan Kovacevic: Not anything specific, but they definitely are seeking -- brace yourself -- prospects.

InTheWheelhouse: It's depressing to listen to "fans" around town who have seriously given up on the franchise altogether especially with the run of championships in town this year. How many generations of fans do you think the Pirates have lost in the past 16 years?

Dejan Kovacevic: At least one in its entirety, now working on two.

boruboru27: The FO has done a good job rebuilding our pitching staff, and I see hope on horizon. But even if Milledge and PA reach potential soon, we will need FA's to build our offense up to be a true contender. Any chance when we see hope that management will spend what it takes to bring in outside help?

Dejan Kovacevic: It's just me, probably, but I hate Web acronyms. Since Milledge was the only one spelled out, I can semi-answer that his addition is exactly the type that would render unnecessary any sort of outside help. Quite clearly, it is the Pirates' intent to avoid free agency.

superpunk: I think trading Freddie (provided they get a solid return) is a great move. We clearly aren't winning with him... What are your thoughts?

Dejan Kovacevic: I never subscribed to the Ralph Kiner we-can-finish-last-without-you theory. Same can be said of Andrew McCutchen, right?

Hill_4_Aram: Dejan, in a September 2007 article, you quoted NH as saying, "We are going to reallocate money into our development system." Sure sounds like what's happening with the early round draft reaches (e.g. Sanchez, Black) and the recent vets-for-prospects trades in order to target Sano. Despite recent F.O. objections that the budgets are separate, aren't the Bucs actually reallocating from the draft and MLB budgets to target Sano and later over-slot picks?

Dejan Kovacevic: The argument that internal budgets are somehow separate entities always has confused me. Everything comes out of the same wallet. Best to look at the overall picture.

KenBus: What is going on with Ryan Doumit rehab assignment, he is 0-21!?!?!

Dejan Kovacevic: He is 0 for 20, actually. The Priates have encouraged him not to focus on results but, rather, on his swing. At the same time, they surely would love it if he connected for at least a hit or two. Be sure that this is the reason he will not be in Philadelphia.

Deemoe: Way to pimp the chat by front-running it with the Sanchez rumor. Any chance Grabow would be thrown in to a package with Sanchez, or is he still untouchable?

Dejan Kovacevic: If only I were that clever. Got that call a little bit after noon, actually. ... Grabow ... Untouchable!

Andrew_Bird: Is MLB close to wrapping up it's investigation into Sano's age?

Dejan Kovacevic: There were some hints of that last night, but nothing came of it. These things really do not get announced, either.

Pickman: Do you think the goal of the Pirates trades and movement is to build a team around Alvarez and Tabata at least offensively (in the field)?

Dejan Kovacevic: That would be defining a window, and I never can get management to do that. They prefer a cyclical, nonstop flow of talent, ambitious as that sounds.

too_many_laroches: I frankly think trading Freddy Sanchez is a good idea. Am I being a crazy optimist or has the Pirates' pitching staff loaded with potential? Even if potential means you haven't done anything yet!

Dejan Kovacevic: Suggesting that trading a highly productive player like Sanchez is a "good idea" without having any idea of the return? I beg for an explanation.

CaptGreg: With the "push" to trade F Sanchez, would the Pirates have to insist on getting a good (or better) middle infield prospect in return?

Dejan Kovacevic: One would imagine. But that is not how the best trades are made. The best talent comes, plain and simple.

Amos_P_Swanson: Dejan...You wonder about the word "haters", but in the PBC blog, we are haters if we question this regime. In all seriousness, what percentage of Pirate front office workers, family members, friends do "think" visit that blog daily? I'm dead serious....

Dejan Kovacevic: Very few people use their real, full names in any Internet setting, so I would have no way of knowing. I have written in that forum many, many times that all opinions are welcome, just as rejection of all opinions are welcome in a civil, non-personal tone.

Wacko_Jacko: Will you be trying a cheesesteak this weekend?

Dejan Kovacevic: No chance. Health kick.

O_Fries: Is it impossible to think the Pirates would keep Freddy Sanchez at $8M?

Dejan Kovacevic: Why so? They currently are paying $7.5 million to Jack Wilson, $7.05 million to Adam LaRoche. Wilson can be a free agent, as can LaRoche. Sanchez is the most productive of the three.

BurghPutty: Is Doumit's o-fer in rehab something to be genuinely concerned about?

Dejan Kovacevic: In terms of the injury sense, no. I heard quite definitively this morning that his wrist feels just fine.

Polka: We know, financially, our Bucco's don't NEED to trade Jack and Freddy. But by the time Alvarez, Tabata and Milledge arrive in Pittsburgh, will our middle infielders be too old/slow/unproductive to mesh with the younger players? Do you buy into that argument, or would a mix of veterans and young players make the Pirates more productive in the near future?

Dejan Kovacevic: That probably is a separate issue from how the Pirates stay above water in 2010 and avoid ruining their pitch-to-contact staff by going with an inferior infield. The long-term solutions, the Pirates think, are there. Though that is far from proven.

Pickman: Can the Pirates trade the rights of calling Roberto a former Bucco? We might be able to get a lot for that.

Dejan Kovacevic: Clemente still is the top brand in terms of merchandise, which, with all due respect, is stunning nearly four decades after his passing.

RJ_Reynolds: The phrase in your article "teams are not enthusiastic about Sanchez's salary" speaks volumes to how overrated he is among the Pirates fanbase. Will the Pirates need to pick up part of this salary in order to trade him?

Dejan Kovacevic: How is Sanchez overrated? In terms of batting average, doubles, extra-base hits, defense or character? And who is doing this overrating?

ericbowser: Hello Dejan, if Pirates move Freddy Sanchez, this would mean more playing time for Ramon Vazquez and not a butcher assignment for Delwyn Young?

Dejan Kovacevic: They would love to put Young there, but I have seen no evidence, as noted earlier, to show that he could handle the position defensively.

robbiesdad: Speaking of Dumatrait, if we consider 2009 as a lost cause, could he come to Bradenton next year as a candidate to fill Grabow/Burnett's role?

Dejan Kovacevic: Yes, but his health ... well, it has been more than a year now since that shoulder shut him down. It would be illogical for the Pirates to plan for Dumatrait to be well.

BurghPutty: Is there any history of Andy LaRoche playing 2B? I just seem to remember converting a contact-hitting limited-power 3B rather successfully into an All-Star 2B recently....

Dejan Kovacevic: He has played it at certain points in his life, but his range probably would be limited over there. Defense has to be a priority behind this pitching staff that gets so few strikeouts.

Wacko_Jacko: Is it a concern that Bryan Morris is healthy but unable to get Double A hitters out?

Dejan Kovacevic: No, but it definitely is a concern that he cannot get high Class A hitters out. (Sorry. He is with Lynchburg.) And you are right, he is doing poorly, even more poorly than you thought, apparently. That trade is not exactly getting better. ... Couple more ...

Jshaf: Where does Milledge's power project to? Is it 25+. I know that Bonds had a similar build and bat speed early in his career.

Dejan Kovacevic: This version of Milledge would eat alive that version of Bonds, based solely on build. Milledge is one strong individual. He hit 14 home runs in his first full season, 2008, so 25 hardly is out of the question. He and I talked at length about the nature of his power as it relates to PNC, and he playfully reminded me that he hit one well past the North Side Notch last year while with the Nationals.

21sarge: Any chance the front office will admit they are punting on 2009 if Sanchez is dealt?

Dejan Kovacevic: They might bring Daniel Sepulveda to the news conference. ... Thanks to one and all. Fun feature in tomorrow's paper. Hope to hear from you about it in the blog. Had a blast putting it together.