James_Taipei: I know that it is unlikely to happen but how much would it cost the Pirates to get a real number one starter like a Ben Sheets(lets say for five years)? How much above market would the Pirates have to offer?

Bob Smizik: Greeting to one and all. This is Bob Smizik, filling in for Jerry Micco, who is vacationing, I believe, in the south of France. Let the questions begin: This is just a guess, but I figure Sheets to get a contract of at least $50 million for four years. Could the Pirates afford that? Probably. Would they want to? I'm not sure. Sheets might have No. 1 stuff, but I don't consider him a No. 1. He is too prone to injury. I think you make that kind of investment when you have a team to fill in around such a player. I'm not sure the Pirates will have that team when the trading deadline passes.

Jim_from_Michigan: Good Morning Bob, I know the Pirates needs specs in the minors etc. but I think if Xavier Nady likes playing in Pittsburgh, the Pirates should offer him a contract extension now to see if hes serious about wanting to play here.

Bob Smizik: I agree the Pirates should try to keep Nady and have written as much. I doubt they will do it, and even if they do I'm not sure he'd stay. He's a client of Scott Boras, who almost always has his players file for free agency, which Nady is eligible for after the 09 season. It would take an above-market offer to keep Nady from free agency. I'm not sure he's that good.

CyBixler: As your critical article of Dave Littlefield was dead on today, why were you not writing pieces like this 4 or 5 years ago? Yesterday was the five year anniversary of the infamous Aramis Ramirez deal. Most knowledgable fans were aware of Littlefield's incompetence back then. What took you so long?

Bob Smizik: Where have you been for the last four or five years. I will be glad to show you a collection of articles I have written about Littlefield, including one just hours after the ridiculous Ramirez trade. Furthermore, I wrote a column calling for his dismissal and many, many other negative ones. I am the first person to write about the Rule 5 draft in an opinion piece. To answer your question: It didn't take me long at all.

MIKE: Type hereHas anybody ever looked into Dave Littlefield's deal with the Giants in the Morris fiasco? I believe that he got a payoff from the Giants. They dumped $10 million a year and Littlefield knew that his run in Pitt was over.

Bob Smizik: I have never heard that Littlefield got a payoff from the Giants and I doubt that is true. If you have proof, let us see it. It also has been said Littlefield made that trade to hurt the Pirates because he knew he'd soon be fired. That, too, is unfair and untrue.

MPM: One of my biggest complaints about the Pirates has been how slowly they move prospects along the in the system, with the exception of Andrew McCutchen. Jamie Romak is 22 and knocking the cover off the ball, but is sitting in high Single A Lynchburg. Jim Negrych, a 23 year old former Pitt Panther, is also knocking the cover off the ball at Lynchburg. Why aren't these two in Altoona at the very least? It's not like there's younger guys at Altoona, or even Indianapolis for that matter that are blocking them.

Bob Smizik: I have to trust the professionals on this. This is a new regime, so the sins of the past can't be blamed on them. I can't imagine a scenario where they purposely would hold back a prospect. They just advanced Lincoln. In the case of Negrych, it's possible there are players at Class AA that can't be benched and there'd be no sense in promoting him if he's not going to play. I think the Pirates promote their players when they are ready.

Jim_from_Michigan: On David Littlefield: he should of been fired along ago, the drafts were a joke and the trade of Ramirez (even if it was for financial reasons) should of brought more then Bobby Hill. I can't believe some other team wouldn't of gave us better players then they got for him and Lofton.

Bob Smizik: I don't think the Ramirez trade falls on Littlefield. Yes, he should have been fired sooner. I believe I called for his dismissal in 2006. That might have been late, too.

jim_from_michigan: One more gripe, Solomon Torres 5-2, 18 saves & ERA 2.68 with Milwaukee for Marino Salas and Kevin Roberts. I guess I'm just scared of any trade the Pirates make in regard to there top players, Nady, Bay, Wilson etc.

Bob Smizik: No question the Torres trade was a bad one and has not been written enough by the media. There is no rational explanation for it and it is definitely a mark against Huntington. They sure could use Torres right now.

jimmy_g: Bob, your column today was very depressing. Is there any reason for any optimism?

Bob Smizik: The best place to look for optimist is the Florida Marlins. They've twice turned around bad teams in a small market with little money. So if they can do it twice, I guess the Pirates could do it once.

James_Taipei: How do you think the Pirates will make it through the season with their current pitching staff?Can the Pirates really keep running Van Benschoten and Herrera out there for the rest of the season? Dumatrait will come back but they still need a fifth starter to go with Snell, Maholm, and Duke.

Bob Smizik: They are seeking help outside the organization. I believe they tried to get Brett Tomko before the All-Star break but he signed elsewhere. There's not much out there. Hopefully, Gorzelanny will get straightened out at Indy and come back. They should explore, and very well might be, veteran pitchers on the Class AAA level.

Homey: I haven't read an update lately on the Steelers' ownership situation. Do you have any recent news?

Bob Smizik: It certainly has gone quiet. I think all that had to be said was said. I'm assuming they re working quietly toward a sale. This involves a very small group and when they want to keep things quiet they can -- obviously.

James_Taipei: Bob, while the Pirates organization is empty, do you think that the Pirates current major league team is as far away from wild card contention as some think? My point is that if the Pirates added a number one starter to the mix and maybe a second pitcher, I think they could contend in the Central Division and for the wild card.

Bob Smizik: They are eight games under .500 after winning two in a row. Your viewpoint is a bit optimistic but possible. It is not easy to add good pitching. I must point out that they don't need a so-called No. 1 starter. There are few of those available. They just need more good pitchers. I don't believe in numbering pitchers. It makes no sense to me but has become quite popular.

jimmy_g: I guess the Steeler Nation will be happy with training camp starting, but I'm still very concerned with the offensive line (and defensive line to a lesser extent). How about you?

Bob Smizik: What most concerns me about the Steelers is the quality of their schedule. I think the D-line has another year in it. The O-line was one of the best in the league in running the ball last year. That tells me there is some talent there. I don't think it is as big a weakness as most.

yzguy431: Do you see the Pirates making a trade before the deadline?

Bob Smizik: Yes. I see Nady and/or Marte being moved.

Lateral_Hazard: Any truth to the rumor that Pittsburgh's collective IQ has increased 20% since Mark Madden went off the air?

Bob Smizik: What? I thought Madden had an IQ of 166.

yzguy431: Is Fast Willie still the guy, or does Mendenhall get a shot?

Bob Smizik: Since he was leading the league, or at least the AFC, when he was injured, I don't know why Parker would not be the guy. If Mendenhall shows he's ready, he'll definitely get his chances.

James_Taipei: Should Huntington be criticized for dumping Matt Morris so soon since they had to pay him anyways? It would be better having Morris out there than Herrera. I can't believe that getting knocked around at the major league level is good for Herrera.

Bob Smizik: Everything comes full circle, I guess. Never thought there would be a hint of criticism for dropping Morris. The decision was wildly popular at the time. Huntington could not foresee all the injuries. He had an adequate, at least, replacement for Morris in Dumatrait. So, no he does not deserve criticism.

watson: Why does everyone say or assume that Andrew McCutchen is a can't miss prospect? He is hitting in the .280's with average power. Don't you feel that his numbers should stand out a little more since this is his second year at the AAA level. If he were not a no. 1 draft choice, would he be given the same rave reviews?

Bob Smizik: On a day of excellent questions, that is super excellent. McCutchen had not torn the cover off the ball. I would call his season mildly disappointing. But all the scouts, not just the Pirates', say he is exceptional. I will go along with them. He's still young, 21, and might need another season or part of another season in Class AAA. He is not in his second full season of AAA. I think he jumped from AA in July or Aug. of last year.

matt: Don't you think the Pirates should be 54-46 instead of 46-54? Their offense has scored more runs per game than the Lumber Company.

Bob Smizik: I think they should be 46-54. You can't look at one part of the team. The pitching has been horrible. That's why they are where they are. The Lumber Company, by the way, was the idea of a PR executive.

Lateral_Hazard: While the Pirates play a bad brand of baseball, at least its not soccer ...

Bob Smizik: Hear, hear

jimmy_g: The articles today about Pitt & Duquesne basketball got me thinking: how good and how important are the summer basketball leagues?

Bob Smizik: I don't put a lot of stock in them. It's a different brand of ball. When I covered Pitt basketball in the 80s, there were always glowing reports on kids but there was never the carry over to the regular season. I think it's important they play, but I don't put much stock in who's doing well.

yzguy431: Loved your knuckleheads story, and I could not agree more.

Bob Smizik: Thank you. You were one of a few. The Penguins Nation came after me in full force with some very ugly and angry e-mails. The truth hurts, I guess.

matt: If Nady goes,do you see McCutchen coming up for the rest of the season or do you think the Pirates will wait until next year?

Bob Smizik: Since McCutchen is not having a great season, I'm not sure I'd bring him up to start in late July or early Aug. That's a lot of pressure. I'd go with Michaels, even though he has cooled quite a bit, and/ or Mietk. I'd bring McCutchen up in Sept. and give him some chances against some pitchers.

jimmy_g: Speaking of Pirate prospects, whatever happened to Neil Walker?

Bob Smizik: Walker is another guy who looks like he'll need another season of Class AAA ball. He has something like 14 of 15 home runs but is batting in the .230s. He's 22, soon to be 23, and that's still young for Class AAA.

jimmy_g: The soccer comment was a disgusting attempt to suck up to Bob.

Bob Smizik: True

James_Taipei: Ok, maybe the Pirates don't need a number one start but adding two above average starters to the mix and letting Malhom, Duke, Snell, Dumatrait, and Gorzolanney battle it would for the 3, 4,5 spots in the rotation would probably mean finishing above .500 and maybe even a chance at a wild card.

Bob Smizik: I would agree with some of that, though I'd hardly put Maholm in that group. But they do need a couple of more good pitchers.

James_Taipei: Bob, I agree with your knucklehead story. Especially why in the world do people boo Ramirez. It shows that the IQ of people in Pittsburgh may not be higher than Mark Madden's. Of course the IQ of the people in this chat must be above 140.

Bob Smizik: Actually, through a major scientific breakthrough, we've been able to accurately measure the IQ of the people in this chat and it is 141. 2052. The Ramirez booing defies understanding. Many of the booers said it wasn't directed at Ramirez but at Pirates management. Brilliant!

Darth_Nilas: If Pitt doesn't have a winning season is Wannstedt unemployed in January?

Bob Smizik: I'd say there would be a very good chance of Wannstedt being let go if Pitt has a losing season. That said, I can't envision the circumstances where Pitt would have a losing season. Eight wins would be a disappointment.

jimmy_g: Follow up on the knuckleheads story, while I read it I was thinking that this might actually remind some of them to be knuckleheads. Also, the booing of former players is ridiculous with the possible exceptions of Jagr (who has a bad PR last year with the Penguins) and Barry Bonds (who I believe said that he would play for Jim Leyland for nothing about a week before he went to SF).

Bob Smizik: Don't get me started on Jagr. What he gave this town -- a decade of exceptional play -- should be enough to excuse some of his stupid and immature comments in his final season. I don't get the bitterness toward Jagr. Andy Van Slyke ripped Pirates fans when he left town in the mid 90s, yet there is no animosity toward him. Merril Hoge left the Steelers high and dry at running back to sign as a free agent with the Bears, yet he's a hero in this town.

James_Taipei: Any chance of the Pirates taking a chance on a guy like Oliver Perez this winter if the asking price is reasonable? Or someone else that has talent and slip under the radar.

Bob Smizik: I doubt Perez will slip under the radar. He's an extremely talented guy and I think he'll get market value. It's a highly competitive business. It's not ofter there are bargains. In 2003, something went wrong with the market and the Pirates got Suppan, Stairs, Sanders and Lofton. That will never happen again.

Lateral_Hazard: If the Bucs deal Marte, who closes? Rick Vaughn?

Bob Smizik: That would leave a large hole. The job would fall to Yates and Grabow, I guess. Capps should be back by late Aug. They'll have to muddle along if they can get a worthwhile prospect for Marte.

Bucco: Is ESPN 1250 ever going to hire someone to replace Madden. I can't stand to listen to Ken Laird and Jim Colony. Colony won't shut up Laird is as boring as they come. I try to listen but can't. Please tell me there is some help on the way.

Bob Smizik: Management at 1250 ESPN tells me a new team -- several people -- should be in place by the end of the month. So, yes, help is on the way. That doesn't mean Colony and/or Laird won't be part of the new team. If Madden gets on the air at the X from 3 to 7 it will severely hurt 1250.

jimmy_g: The best way to boo Pirate management is to not show up.

Bob Smizik: That's what I tell them.

matt: The Indians got Matt LaPorta for CC Sabathia. Does that mean the Pirates could get Ben Sheets for Danny Moskos?

Bob Smizik: Not exactly, and you have ti backwards. But good try.

James_Taipei: Is McCutchen going to Beijing or did he not make the Olympic team?

Bob Smizik: Did not make the team.

yzguy431: Last year for Paterno?

Bob Smizik: I think it will be. I think the absence of a new contract is a message. It could get ugly, but, hopefully, Joe will realize his time has come.

theWellHungarian: Why did the P-G take that poll down? Was it to save Steigy the embarrassment?

Bob Smizik: I didn't realize it was taken down. There was a lopsided final result in the paper this morning. If they wanted to save him embarrassment they never would have posted it.

James_Taipei: How many days to kickoff and the chance to root for a real professional sports team again?

Bob Smizik: Check your nearest calendar

jimmy_g: The real question is how can the Pirates possibly acquire two average to above average starting pitchers. All anybody has ever said about impending trades is they will be for prospects.

Bob Smizik: One possibility is waiting until the off-season and putting together a package to get a starting pitcher. No team in a pennant race is going to give up a starter, but in the off-season more things are possible.

Darth_Nilas: I think some of the Littlefield criticism is unfair, especially when you look back at the drafts. McClatchy's budget wouldn't allow him to draft Upton or Wiethers. Being GM for the Pirates under McClatchy is like going into combat with a BB gun.

Bob Smizik: The Pirates did allow finances to rule the draft for several years in the late 1990s and early 2000s. I have no proof that was the case every year. Besides, what's to stop them from getting guys in later rounds? Capps was a seventh rounder. Mike Gonzalez a 30th rounder. Believe me, no criticism of Littlefield is unfair.

PhillyMarty: Do you think JoePa gets another year if PSU wins 9 or 10 games?

Bob Smizik: I hope that will satisfy him and he'll step down. Of course, it might encourage him to stick around for "four or five more years." It should not be left to him. That's why I'm encouraged by the lack of a new contract offer.

James_Taipei: Of course one should not complain too much about the Pirates. It is better than Taiwanese professional baseball. The top stadium in Taiwan looks similar to Point Stadium in Johnstown. Of course not paying $7 for a beer is one advantage that Taiwanese baseball has over attending a Pirates game. And being able to bring your own food to the games.

Bob Smizik: I don't think the fact it is not Taiwanese baseball should be a factor in how we discuss the Pirates. By the way, is this a record: $15.50 for two beers at PNC?

Darth_Nilas: I turned the Pirate game on last night and saw Lanny Fraterre wearing Hannah Montana 3D glasses. How in the world has this guy hung around for all these years? Does he have any type of following? You never hear him mentioned with Cope and Lange, but his tenure is as long.

Bob Smizik: Frattare is solid. He has not attracted the following of Cope or Lange, but who has? Jack Fleming worked a couple of decades without that kind of following. Remember... before dismissing someone, a better person must be available to replace him. My big complaint about Frattare is he's allowing the color commentators, particularly Walk and Wehner, to carry the broadcast. The play by play guy should carry the broadcast.

ajt123: Where do you get your haircut? (I need one bad and have a similar hair style as you.)

Bob Smizik: Golden Razor in Bloomfield. Tell Tom I sent you.

PhillyMarty: Do you have an opinion regarding those that include Bowden's significant wins below Division One that allow him to be one win above JoePa?

Bob Smizik: I have written on the subject. Those Bowden wins should not count. It is an absolute joke. Our time is up. Thanks to one and all for a great session. Jerry will return next week. Ask him about the south of France.