Poll Question: The most impressive thing about Cole's debut was ... His pitch efficiency (86%) His two-run single (0%) His 99-mph fastball (14%)

marty34156: Once Wandy is back healthy, assuming the other 5 are healthy and pitching well, what do they do? Look to move a starter?

Bill Brink: I don't think they will look to move a starter, especially if they are still in contention. The front office believes strongly in starting pitching depth (as all front offices do, but this one especially). They could send Cole to the minors, though I don't see that likely right now. My best guess is to move James McDonald to the bullpen, but that still leaves them Burnett, Locke, Liriano, Cole, Morton and Rodriguez to sort through.

Hunter: This is a big assumption the way injuries have gone but if Wandy is ready after 15 days is up are we likely to see Cole go back to AAA no matter what or does he have a real chance of forcing the Pirates to leave him in the rotation?

Bill Brink: He has a real chance of staying in the rotation if he continues to perform. If not, they could send him down for more seasoning, which would have the added benefit of pushing him past Super 2 consideration. My guess is he stays.

Guest: Are the Pirates happy with Pedro being a Carlos Pena type player?

Bill Brink: I'm sure they would like him to hit for a higher average, strike out less and get on base more, but if he keeps homering and driving in runs, they'll be happy with him.

PhillyJake: Gerrit Cole changes everything and now we're going to win the World Series?

Bill Brink: Dunno about that. He certainly could help solidify a rotation that needs to pitch more innings, which could make a .500 record or wild card spot more likely.

Hunter: Was Cole's lack of K's yesterday more about his ability or was it more about Martin's pitch selection?

Bill Brink: From watching Cole and reading industry publications, it seems as though there's not much deception to go with his high-90s fastball. It's hard, but straight. The slider and change offer the deception. He has a two-seamer but doesn't use it much.

The deception or movement could come, he's only 22, but that's where we are right now.

PhillyJake: When is Taillon coming up?

Bill Brink: I would think he has a shot at making the rotation out of spring training in 2014, assuming he is promoted to Indianapolis this summer, but he may debut around this time next year because of Super 2 issues.

Hunter: Was Gerrit Cole's walk up music what we have to expect from this future generation of stars? If so that's disappointing.

Bill Brink: Just wait until the children of today start walking up to Swedish House Mafia and One Direction and all the garbage that's on the radio right now.

Hunter: If the trade deadline was tomorrow what positions would the Pirates absolutely make a move to improve?

Bill Brink: The bullpen. I say that not because the bullpen has been bad -- anything but -- but because it has worked hard and needs reinforcements.

Shortstop would be another area, obviously, but those are tougher to find in summer trades, especially when teams know A) that the Pirates are contending and B) how much Barmes is struggling at the plate.

marty34156: Have you heard anything on how Jmac has looked in his 3 rehab starts? The box score from all 3 have been very ugly. Velocity down or anything you know of?

Bill Brink: We get reports from Hurdle. The first was awful, the second much better and last night in the middle. We will get a better idea from Hurdle today on how last night went. I don't think velo has dropped from where it was earlier this season, around 90-91. Command seems the bigger issue.

jim in VT: Is there likely to be any carryover from the Giants throwing at the Bucs last night, or is it over?

Bill Brink: If the unwritten protocol is followed, no. Blanco hit unintentionally, Alvarez hit unintentionally. Scutaro hit and hurt, Marte thrown behind and McCutchen hit. That should be it.

Bill Brink: What other questions do we have today?

jim in VT: Puig vs. Cole on a Sunday afternoon sounds like a sellout to me. How different is the park feeling to you this year as opposed to last year?

Bill Brink: Average attendance is down this year, but that will correct over the summer when schools are out. There was a difference with Cole last night but I don't know that there's a tangible difference on a night-to-night basis. To be fair, I'm working throughout the game and not paying a whole lot of attention to the crowd so others may disagree.

Keith: does the trade of McDonald mean Mercer is here to stay as back-up infielder for the season?

Bill Brink: It would appear so.

marty34156: What's your guess on a roster move to make room for Morton?

Bill Brink: I think the Pirates will send out Zagurski or Reid.

PhillyJake: Anything on signing top draft picks?

Bill Brink: They've agreed to terms with a few, but none of the top guys yet.

Hunter: Any word on where Tabata's injury stands? Snider sure looks like he could use a couple days off.

Bill Brink: Nothing new as of yet. Rehab assignment shouldn't be far away though.

barry: What about karstan?? $3.5 mill, and no help. At the end of the yr, is he byby??

Bill Brink: I don't imagine a scenario where the Pirates bring him back.

Hunter: Based on his rehab starts and reports Hurdle has given what are you expecting out of Morton? The 2010, 2011, and 2012 versions were all very different from one another?

Bill Brink: I think we can expect his performance to be closest to 2011. He has a healthy elbow, which is nice, but we can't be sure what he will do because of the unpredictability of players coming back from Tommy John surgery. It takes some time, even when they are healthy, to regain the comfort on the mound.

PhillyJake: Zagurski or Reid have options ? Or will we probably lose the one that goes ?

Bill Brink: Zagurski is out of options so he would be lost. I believe, but will have to double-check, that they can option Reid.

barry: What if mcdonald can't get control. Are the pirates willing to play with a 24 man roster, or do they have the guts to bail on him??

Bill Brink: I don't think they can afford McDonald or Morton to struggle. They have to act like they are in contention, because right now, they are. They will let them go if need be.

marty34156: Do you see Huntington taking more of an "all in" approach at the deadline this year knowing that his job could be on the line depending on how the season ends? Maybe be more willing to part with a Polanco or Hanson for a bigger bat?

Bill Brink: I think so. After the way the last trade deadline unfolded, I would imagine the front office to further entertain trades of top prospects for "big-name' players.

barry: What abt burneff??16. 5 mill this yr. Will they entertain a trade or risk losing him after this yr, cause his salery demands next yr will prob be out of there ranga??

Bill Brink: He's a guy I don't think they trade. He's too valuable to the rotation, Jeff Locke and the clubhouse. He eats too many innings and strikes out too many guys.

Bill Brink: Lightning round time. Fire away.

PhillyJake: How fun is it to cover a story like Cole ?

Bill Brink: I enjoy it because it's different, it's exciting and people are interested. It's always better to write about something people are interested in.

marty34156: Your favorite place to eat in the Burgh?

Bill Brink: La Tavola on Mt. Washington is great. Fatheads, too. Probably my two favorites.

PhillyJake: Did you get Wanded entering the stadium?

Bill Brink: I did. But I didn't have to wait in line. The wand also thought my wallet was made of metal.

PhillyJake: What brought on the wanding?

Bill Brink: The bombings at the Boston Marathon, according to this story by the PG's Alex Zimmerman: https://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/pirates/pnc-park-stops-new-security-measures-to-wand-pirates-fans-691273/

PhillyJake: Does the NSA listen in on or track Clint's phone calls to the bullpen?

Bill Brink: Yes, and each time they do, Obama gets an e-mail saying, "I can't believe he's bringing in Melancon AGAIN."

Bill Brink: That's it for today, thanks for all the great questions. If you have more, send them to me at bbrink@post-gazette.com and on Twitter @BrinkPG.

First Published: March 24, 2016, 5:15 p.m.