Gregory Polanco smashes a ball high and just to the right of the big batter’s eye at Pirate City. — DEJAN KOVACEVIC
BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC
Welcome to Tuesday 12 Qs, our chat that takes place each week at 9 a.m. and offers you a chance to carry the conversation. Use the comments below to submit an entry. No more than one per person, please. Submit early if you prefer, and I’ll pick from that batch to get rolling.
UPDATE 9 a.m.: Away we go …
Radio Wave: DK, do you think most Pittsburgh fans are in favor of or against Major League Baseball’s new pace-of-game rules?
DK: I’ll sometimes praise or criticize fan behavior or sentiment, but I’ll never advise on what anyone does or should think. I’ve honestly got no clue, though I’d be interested to hear more of what some of you think beyond what I’ve already read in comments.
It was brought up with Clint Hurdle in Bradenton a couple days ago, and he bluntly told us he wouldn’t put much more thought into it than happily supporting any initiative MLB wants to take in this regard, adding, “We’re aware that we’re in the entertainment business, and I know that Joe Torre has done a lot of work on this.”
My own feeling was that the moves were woefully inadequate — baseball games have become ridiculously long, which hurts nearly everyone involved — and basically skirted the issue. They might shave off 2-3 minutes and no more.
One foot in the box?
Why not both?
I never liked the clock idea because part of baseball’s beauty is that it’s played without time restrictions, but there are so many other ideas that could have been implemented by little more than the umpires enforcing existing, logical practices. And if he didn’t like what he was seeing, call a ball against the pitcher or a strike against the batter.
You’d see nine innings in 2 1/2 hours with the snap of a finger.
Mike: Do you think Jim Rutherford would make the same trade twice to get Jordan Staal back? It certainly wouldn’t work unless another salary was moved but even if Derrick Pouilot turns out to be a star, wouldn’t Staal be more useful for this current group trying to win in the here and now?
DK: Here’s what I think, and some won’t like it: Within the same 24-hour span, three local media outlets reported on the Penguins being interested in reacquiring Staal, with all three throwing in the caveat that it probably wouldn’t happen — if it happens at all — until after the season.
I won’t judge the veracity of anyone’s reporting. Because, as is the case in the reverse, I don’t know what goes into theirs anymore than they know what goes into mine. And in this specific case, since I was in Florida for the past week, I’d know even less about the specific circumstances.
But I will say that I’m very surprised that I’ve yet to hear, read or see anyone mention the extremely real possibility that management was smart enough to lay this out there over the weekend in an attempt to get Brandon Sutter out of his three-month malaise.
Remember Ryan Kesler?
Remember how Ray Shero was pursuing Kesler — for real — just this time a year ago?
And how it ticked off Sutter and spurred him on to become nothing less than the Penguins’ best forward in the playoffs that followed?
Come on already. If that isn’t the elephant in the room here, with Rutherford surrounded by lieutenants who were here last season, with the Penguins having zero means of acquiring Staal with cap constraints that currently wouldn’t cover 20 percent of his salary, with the GM bizarrely talking about the original Staal-Sutter trade with a local publication on the record in a rare public discussion about another franchise’s player … I’ll say it again: Come on.
Ron Francis, now Carolina’s GM and as trustworthy a man as I’ve ever met, had to blow this smokescreen by telling the Raleigh media he’s absolutely not trading Staal.
But that won’t matter to the Penguins one whit if they’ll have achieved their real goal here and Sutter suddenly takes off as he did last spring.
In the interim, a whole lot of folks will have been seriously played.
PittFan412: With James Harrison recently announcing that he will return for another season, how do you see him fitting into Keith Butler’s defense and might this affect the Steelers drafting an OLB in the upcoming draft?
DK: Whoa there, Harrison might want to return, but that doesn’t mean he’s returning to Pittsburgh. I wrote in Friday Insider two weeks ago that I don’t see Harrison coming back, and all that’s changed about those circumstances is that he wants to play another season. There has been no above-the-table indication from management either way, but all of the undercurrent is that it’s time to move on from all of the four iconic defensive players in question, including also Troy Polamalu, Brett Keisel and Ike Taylor.
With all due respect to all four, I hope the Steelers stick by that this time. At some point, the Cam Heyward types need to take over this defense, and others need a chance. That’s not to suggest they’re exactly overloaded with talent. They aren’t. But younger guys such as Jarvis Jones and Shamarko Thomas need to enter as default starters. It’s time.
Harrison could rejoin Dick LeBeau in Tennessee. It would be a wonderful fit for both. The mutual respect there is immense.
Randolph Yinzer: We all know you love Winnipeg in the winter, so after a week in the Sunshine state during the Artic vortex, which destination do you prefer more?
DK: I really don’t care much about the weather, wherever I go. If it’s cold outside, it helps to keep my favorite Starbucks drink properly chilled. Other than that, it really doesn’t affect my life. I don’t go to the beach. I don’t swim or scuba dive. And for that matter, I don’t ski or curl.
I did try curling in Manitoba a couple years ago. Didn’t exactly pan out …
Comparing Winnipeg and Bradenton on the scale of what makes places interesting, Winnipeg wins on a scale of about a gazillion to one.
Big Daddy: DK, while you were down Bradenton, did you notice a more laid back atmosphere from the players knowing that the majority of the roster spots are already filled compared to past training camps when players had to open up eyes to make the roster?
DK: Yeah, and I’m glad you asked this. It really is different.
I brought it up with Hurdle just yesterday, as a matter of fact, and his response included this: “We’re having fun. We’re smiling. But we’re also going about our business, getting done what needs to get done and getting it done with a sense of purpose.”
As usual, the manager’s summation can’t be topped.
It’s a camp with a very confident feel to it, but also one in which no is shy about lightening the mood. Before A.J. Burnett took the mound for his bullpen session yesterday, he walked back to the water cooler, filled two cups and approached both catchers in the pen — who’d already worked with other pitchers — and strolled to the plate to offer refreshments. Francisco Cervelli and Tony Sanchez both looked delighted that he did.
That kind of thing.
ajbeam7: We all can assume how you feel about the most recent scratching of Craig Adams (throw in an “obviously” from Mike Tomlin). But what was the reasoning? Why now? Why even bother at this point? Seems to be hollow now. I’m really just left scratching my head in bewilderment.
DK: Mike Johnston’s explanation, which he’d made beforehand, was that he’s looking to rotate players out of the lineup to keep them fresher for the playoffs. Feel free to accept that. I don’t.
Some players are more equal than others. Scratching Adams or Steve Downie won’t carry any weight toward that explanation unless it cycles through the top two lines, as well. And I’m not seeing that happening, given the increasing tightness of the Eastern standings.
Don’t misunderstand: As you suggest, I am all in on scratching Adams. But do it on merit rather than some pose-striking. That’s all this looks like.
Obviously.
Colin Stephen: Obviously, you think cornerbacks are the weakest position on the Steelers’ defense. What do you think is the strongest position on defense?
DK: This is a great way to phrase this question because, no matter which position one cites, it’s accompanied by an asterisk of some sort. Maybe the highest ceiling is at inside linebacker, if Ryan Shazier gets it together along with Lawrence Timmons. Maybe it’s defensive end, if Stephon Tuitt can blossom into a bookend for Cam Heyward.
What you really find out by doing that is that there isn’t one. There just isn’t. There’s potential here or there, a bit of depth here or there, but no one spot where you can say, man, that’s just so solid it doesn’t need to be addressed. They all do. Every last one of them.
It’s funny, but for as much as everyone cringes at the thought that the Steelers could take advantage of a draft filled with good edge rushers, the truth is that they really aren’t set there, either. Far from it. And I say that even if Jason Worilds is extended and Jarvis Jones comes to camp looking like a healthy Hercules.
Maybe management needs to be reminded of that before wasting third- or fourth-round picks on science projects and clipboard holders.
blufftalk: Dejan, what would it take for Duquesne men’s basketball to be a big player in the city again? The Atlantic 10 is a very good basketball conference, after all.
DK: I’ve long been convinced that the Dukes would draw a lot of attention, and almost immediately, if they were successful again. Maybe even just modestly successful, to the point where their own fans could see them as genuine contenders in the A-10, even if the rest of the basketball world doesn’t. I base that partly on their distant past but much more on the memory of the Dayton upset at Consol Energy Center a couple years ago. Sellout crowd. Real passion. Genuine enthusiasm.
I wrote early this season that Jim Ferry’s approach is the correct one, generally speaking, and I’m not backing off that even through the Dukes are again near the conference basement at 4-10. He could have continued rounding up juco ringers who’d have no attachment, no investment and no sustained time on the Bluff, or he could have put together a terribly young roster and taken his lumps along the way to something possibly greater. He’s done that, and I applaud it.
That doesn’t make some of the results this season excusable. There have been some real stinkers along the way. It also doesn’t excuse not seeing more improvement from freshmen TySean Powell, Eric James and Jordan Robinson. I thought early on Powell, in particular, might step up and start before long. Hasn’t happened. That’s partially on the player, more on Ferry.
Bottom line: Better players are needed. Many of them. And losing begets losing in college sports, so good luck attracting the really good ones to Duquesne.
Maybe a change at athletic director would change the outside view.
Maybe a change would be beneficial regardless. All Greg Amodio has done in his time on the job is subtract, subtract, subtract from sports as a whole.
Ronak Singhal: If Pitt doesn’t make the NCAA tournament, they are going to look back on some of their early losses (like to Virginia Tech) and kick themselves. The team now looks very different than from even a month ago. What’s changed?
DK: I don’t think it’s as much a negative, really, as a positive. The Panthers have gotten better. Jamel Artis is growing into a terrific ACC player. Sheldon Jeter and now Chris Jones are close to that. Mike Young has come out of his shell. James Robinson has finally shown a shooting touch, something I was sure would never happen. It’s a young roster that, after some early struggles to find an identity on offense and continuing defensive shortcomings, has gotten better.
I’m not burying Jamie Dixon over this if they miss out on NCAA, if only because any team built on a sophomore class like this should be getting better over the course of the season. And it should be even better the following season. Or the season after that.
Now, if this group isn’t getting it done then …
meredydotcom: Do you have many subscribers in far away states and other countries?
DK: Tracking our subscribers isn’t something we do, for privacy reasons. I’ll never have that data and, candidly here, I don’t want it.
We do track our readership, which, of course, is made mostly of subscribers, as that’s a vital part of our business, and we do that through Google Analytics, the industry’s gold standard for this stuff. I can tell you that our site has attracted readers from 131 countries, including one each from Azerbaijan and Bangladesh. (Clearly, I need to ramp up the cricket coverage.) The top five countries are the U.S. (94 percent), Canada (2.5 percent), United Kingdom (0.55 percent), Germany (0.32 percent) and Australia (0.3 percent).
Pittsburgh is No. 1 among cities, which shouldn’t surprise, but it’s only at 10.63 percent, in part because we’re talking about the city proper, not suburbs. Next on the list, believe it or not, are New York (3.67 percent), the Johnstown-Altoona corridor (2.96 percent), then Washington, Philadelphia and Chicago before we hit a bunch of suburbs such as Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, Cranberry and Greensburg.
Not sure what this says about our base, especially the Philly component, but I’m all ears if you’ve got any theories.
Eric Hince: DK, you’ve reported re Josh Harrison that no one has found a ‘hole’ as a hitter, whereas you mention teams adjusting to take advantage of Gregory Polanco’s “big, looping” swing. What are the coaches doing, if anything, to help Polanco adjust to the adjustments?
DK: I don’t recall ever saying or writing that about Polanco, Eric. He does have a long swing — just check that follow-through up there in that pic I clicked yesterday — but unlike some recent Pirates with long swings such as Adam LaRoche and Travis Snider, he also has the uncanny ability to shorten it up as needed. I really don’t think this will be an issue for him, short or long term.
Polanco’s issues were much more about how he was adjusting to how he was pitched. Coincidence or not, he’s spent the early part of this spring almost obsessively swinging for the opposite field. Read into that what you want. I asked him, and he said, “Just normal.”
In general, I wouldn’t place Polanco in other people’s categories. The tool set is just too explosive. The hands, the wrists, now all that added upper-body strength.
He’s special.
anthony.panza: Will you be traveling with the Pens during their West Coast trip in early March?
DK: I will not, Anthony, but this is as good a place as any to share that — contrary to my previously cited schedule for this week — I’m planning to go to D.C. for Penguins-Capitals tomorrow night. Pretty big game, I’d say. Well worth the booking.
I’m looking into covering the Pirates on a western swing this summer, too.
Richard Stewart: DK, love the “good dude” comments you make in the Friday Insider! With all of the news stories over the past few years about athletes (and sometimes sports organizations) behaving badly, it is easy to forget that there are a lot of college and professional athletes that are great people and do outstanding things that nobody hears about. Thinking back over your career, who are the handful of athletes that stand out to you the most when it comes to “good dude” status?
DK: Hate to take the beaten path here, but no one — and I mean no one ever — gives of his time to more people and more great causes than Sidney Crosby.
You’ve seen videos and documentaries, you’ve read accounts, but until you’ve witnessed what I did a couple weeks ago, it might seem surreal: After the Penguins played a matinee at Consol, Crosby was told a group of young children from his birthplace Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, were in the crowd. Minutes after the game and all his usual media duties — I honestly don’t recall if the Penguins won or lost, but it wouldn’t have mattered — he stood outside the team’s locker room and waited by a tunnel for the group to be brought down.
I asked why he was there, and he explained, then added with a broad smile, “This is going to be really cool. You should hang around. Wait till you see their faces.”
It was really cool.
Thanks to all for participating! Tremendous stuff, and a lot left behind, too, in the comments. Please don’t hesitate to shoot some of those back again next week.
Seeing Boston sign Moncada for about 60 million how will improved US relations effect baseball. If we normalize relations with Cuba will we see an influx of Cuban talent and will we see baseball set up camps and scouts like in the Dominican
DK - love the "good dude" comments you make in the Friday Insider! With all of the news stories over the past few years about athletes (and sometimes sports organizations) behaving badly, it is easy to forget that there are a lot of college and professional athletes that are great people and do outstanding things that nobody hears about. Thinking back over your career, who are the handful of athletes that stand out to you the most when it comes to "good dude" status?
We all can assume how you feel about the most recent scratching of Craig Adams (throw in an "obviously" from Mike Tomlin). But what was the reasoning? Why now? Why even bother at this point? Seems to be hollow now. I'm really just left scratching my head in bewilderment.
What can you divulge about the arbitration hearings from both Walker and Alvarez? What did the Pirates say for the board to decide against Walker when he came off a solid season on the field and at the plate, but awarded Alvarez an additional $500k after his throwing errors and lack of production with the bat?
Dejan, now you see why Starbucks is not located at PITairport, or Antartica or the Sahara. Not totally sure about the last two though. Welcome home. To me, I think Sidney Crosby is one of the best, but he seems to be getting ripped right and left lately. He's only 27. Do you think his best is past him?
With James Harrison recently announcing that he will return for another season, how do you see him fitting into Keith Butler's defense and might this affect the Steelers drafting an OLB in the upcoming draft?
Foregone conclusion we sign him? He's not under contract.
PittFan412
2-24-2015, 8:16 am
Assuming of course he is signed by the Steelers, I should have made that more clear.
mjb34500
2-24-2015, 1:57 am
DK, at some point don't the Pirates have to almost seemingly jump all-in on Pedro at 1B, say by Mid May to Memorial Day at the latest? If you look at that lineup, truly the glaring hole is at the power 4-hole slot. Walker's just not a cleanup guy. Platooning can be so difficult for a player when he's trying to get his rhythm and swing down. I understand letting Pedro get used to the position in April and moving him in and out with Hart, but at some point you have to lay your chips down on this guy. If he's a .235 guy, then you deal with that if he's hitting you 35 HR's a year. Otherwise, get him ready to be traded in July. Either way, once and for all, see what we got here with Pedro Alvarez as a viable power hitter going forward.
It looks as if Geno is trying to become more of a vocal leader with this team recently, at least from a public facing perspective. In his interview regarding the Columbus game (that has since been compared to the Aaron Rodgers R-E-L-A-X interview because of the message), he said some things that really needed to be said and whether it had a direct impact on their performance on Saturday night in St. Louis, who knows. After the Columbus game, where he dominated, he finished his on-ice interview with a bit of an impassioned plea to the fans practically yelling "let's go, guys!" at the end. He looks to be getting even more fired up recently which is always a good thing on the ice where he can be the most dominant player in the NHL, but is he also being more vocal in the locker room and trying to establish himself as the guy? What sort of impact can it have or is it having off the ice, for a team that has had its leadership questioned over and over again this year?
If Pitt doesn't make the NCAA tournament, they are going to look back on some of their early losses (like to VT) and kick themselves. The team now looks very different than from even a month ago. What's changed?
DK, with all the rumors out there, were the pens front office close at all to pulling the plug on Mike Johnston and his staff if the pens lost both games over the weekend?
DK, what do you think of Downie being scratched and the trade talk? Is he underappreciated? If traded, would that undermine the notion of making the team tougher and building a better bottom six? What about Downie playing with Crosby - would that give Crosby more space and save him from having to handle guys like Dubinsky himself?
Dejan, I'll get around to changing the username. Promise. Call me "blufftalk" for now please.
My question: What would it take for Duquesne men's basketball to be a big player in the city again? The A10 is a very good basketball conference, after all.
Thx for fixing that, folks. I was having issues there.
Josh Newark
2-24-2015, 5:36 am
DK. Loved your Bradenton reports. The one thing that concerns me is the unknown drop off that might occur at the catching position, specifically on the defensive side. I think most of us can remember the pre-russ years where teams ran on the pirates non stop. Singles/walks turned into men on third a few pitches later. Russell stopped that. My question is whether you saw Cervelli throw and if so, how is his arm strength and quickness from behind the plate?
Very good point Josh, this is the biggest thing I will follow heading in to the season. I remember the Barajas days where runners would just steal bases like it was no big deal. No one will be as good as Russ, but hopefully Cervelli is close behind!
mkoller1813
2-24-2015, 5:45 am
Dk, I know everyone wants a trade to happen for the Pens to pickup a partner for Ehrhoff, but could the solution already be in house with Rob Scuderi? GMJR and HCMJ trust him more vs. the regime to play more minutes and important minutes at that and he would allow Ehrhoff to be more active. Even though it moves him from Despres, and correct me if I'm wrong, but don't Despres and Bortuzzo have chemistry from playing in WBS? After all, isn't Scuderi the piece?
DK, I am tired of hearing that the Steelers might draft another OLB. What about letting the two kids play inside (Spence & Shazier) and move Timmons (I know he was a pro bowler this year) to the outside? He has the size, speed and nastiness that would be needed to come off the end.
Hi DK a few weeks ago I posted a question about the revolution of sports helmets and concussions...I wanted to ask what your take is on the new report that it may be possible to detect CTE in a living human now!
That sounds like a question for a doctor, not a sports writer.
Eric Hince
2-24-2015, 9:23 am
Mitchell: its been done at UCLA by a researcher involved in a national team. They image the brain after administering a tracer that binds to the tau-protein in the plaques that form in CTE. I'm living with CTE and hope to get a similar scan at Bethesda this year.
pghgolfgirl
2-24-2015, 6:56 am
What's with all of the broken sticks this year? It's an epidemic and someone is going to get hurt. Has the strength of the players overtaken the technology of the sticks?
Do you think GMJR would make the same trade twice to get Staal back? It certainly wouldn't work unless another salary was moved but even if Pouilott turns out to be a star wouldn't Staal be more useful for this current group trying to win in the here and now?
I found it interesting that you noted that Kang's translator is essentially his own employee. And it sounds like the Latin American players often use a fellow player as a translator when speaking to the press. Seems like we keep running into situations where Kang's translations are called into question, and I'm not completely comfortable that Neal Huntington is giving me straight info when he tells me that Kang was mis-quoted. Any ideas for a solution?
I have heard a lot about Sid and Geno not doing certain things on the power play or on the ice in general. At times, it gives the impression that they, particularly Sid, are almost uncoachable. Are they uncoachable?
Korea is obviously an otherwise-untapped market for the MLB. Spanish-speaking players (at least now) seem to have an easier time communicating since there are other guys in the dugout that have been speaking English enough to help them out. Obviously Kang has an interpreter now, but if he hasn't grasped the English language by the start of the season, how does he overcome the language barrier? Can a team keep an interpreter on staff in the dugout? Given your experience with hockey players, I was hoping for some insight on how foreign-born players make that adjustment.
Dejan,
Cole, Liriano, Burnett, Morton and Worley ( if Healthy) are locks for the rotation. If Burnett and Mortons 2014 shortcomings were truly due to injury and they return to form, could this be, from top to bottom, the best rotation in baseball? And if Worley repeats his 2014 performance could he be as high as 3rd in the rotation?
A national hockey writer has the Vezina a two-goalie race between Rinne and Price, two who have never won it or the Cup. Hard to argue with their candidacies.
However, with MAF having given up 7 goals in his last 7 games, what say this national writer as to MAF being in that conversation THIS year, or can that realistically occur ONLY following two straight years of solid playoff performances?
Dejan-
I know Marc Arcobella isn't a star but I sure loved his energy and he made things happen on the ice, shame we lose to him to Coyotes where so far he has flourished. did we have no choice once Letang and others came back ?
The-Blatt
2-24-2015, 7:49 am
What did you think of your former colleague's column this week suggesting that Sid is hampered by Father Time, and supported by the weakest cast since he was a rookie?
To what amount are you attributing the Pens' up and down play to the message from the coaching staff not getting through to players who are deciding to do things their own way? How much of it is from just poor play? How much does the play against the Metro division worry you and how much does it worry the team and the coaching staff?
Hiya DK! Despite the "nay sayers", I'd love to see the Pens add some depth on the third or fourth line (Daniel Winnik perhaps, or dare I mention Jagr!), but not give up a ton of future on defense. We are finally getting healthy and, WHEN we play our style and get to our game, we are tough to beat. Perhaps a depth defenseman for insurance but nothing more. Do you feel the same needs as I do, or is it the minus 11 degrees here in Red Lion, PA that is effecting my thought process?
What are your thoughts on journalistic integrity and rumormongering? This time of year especially, some writers seem to crave headlines over integrity. Like hockey, is it up to guys like you to self-police and drop the gloves in these situations?
Does Pens' management understand how to manage the cap for now and the future? I'm concerned based on their Jordan Staal and Paul Martin comments and what any long-term contracts would entail. Thanks.
Because the division teams are more familiar the Penguin's scheme than the Western conference teams, do you think the Penguins issues within the division are related to Johnson being out coached i.e not making adjustments?
DK, Can you talk more about why the Pens looked so good in the last two games after swapping Hornqvist and Kunitz, and whether you think that's going to be enough going forward? Were the Blues just flat? Are the Panthers still pretenders? I can't possibly believe that a little line tinkering is going to solve all our problems, particularly the fact that this Pens team looks to be totally figured out by everyone in their division this year.
Former Soviet star and Red Wings Hall of Famer Igor Larionov recently published an article discussing the lack of creativity in today's game. He contended that the obsession with today's complex systems is stifling the ability of today's superstars from truly being super stars. From a young age players are trained to play in a system and be at specific spots at specific times. Very few stars are allowed to be artists on the ice like Datsyuk and Patrick Kane. Also, very few supporting players are complementary to these stars as they have never played with someone who improvises on the ice. Is there a way in the Pen's current system to encourage Crosby, Malkin, and Letang to play a more creative offensive attack to encourage more offense? I know that Johnston's system allows this much more than Bylsma's did. Can they be doing more, especially on the Power Play?
Awesome question! I have never considered this, appreciate the insight. Did Gretzky and Howe play more creatively or primarily in complex systems? Do you know?
Josh
2-24-2015, 8:22 am
DK, there was an interesting topic on The Fan radio yesterday about who the best GM in town is. I see it as a pretty unfair comparison because of different variables and the fact that Rutherford is in his first year. But it made me think about Colbert having to battle a salary cap, and Huntington having to deal with an unfair lack of salary cap in MLB, and a payroll light years below the Dodgers, Red Sox, Yankees, etc...this being said, who's shoes would you rather be in to build a team? Huntington without a salary cap, or Colbert in a league that is more fair with a salary cap?
Welcome back to winter DK . . . . It seems that the NHL in general could benefit from more scoring . . . and if: (I) the zebras aren't going to call more penalties to open up the game; and (2) the NHL isn't interested in expanding the size of the goal, then why doesn't the NFL mandate that the size of all goalie pads be reduced? We're all looking back fondly at the Miracle on Ice this week so just take a look at Jim Craig's knee pads and blocker . . . they appear to be half the size of the style currently worn by NHL goalies.
More goals could mean greater interest in the game. Seems to be a simple solution to an age old problem.
DK, curious to know what your thoughts are on how Twitter and social media has changed the landscape for your profession? Boston legend Bob Ryan said in his heyday they could "watch" the entire game and come up with real opinions and get a feel for the game (and could also go out for a burger with the players afterwards and they would trust that it would be off the record). Nowadays those cover sports spend half the game typing into their phones or computers and may be missing plays or little nuances that help the story. what do you think?
DK, curious to know what your thoughts are on how Twitter and social media has changed the landscape for your profession? Boston legend Bob Ryan said in his heyday they could "watch" the entire game and come up with real opinions and get a feel for the game (and could also go out for a burger with the players afterwards and they would trust that it would be off the record). Nowadays those cover sports spend half the game typing into their phones or computers and may be missing plays or little nuances that help the story. what do you think?
DK, while you were down Bradenton did you notice a more laid back atmosphere from the players knowing that the majority of the roster spots are already filled compared to past training camps when players had to open up eyes to make the roster..
Character issues have become a larger issue these days in the world of sports, particularly as teams evaluate whom they should draft. What character qualities would you look for most if you were drafting a team?
After spending time in Bradenton, how do you feel about Catcher and First Base, which in my opinion are going to be the two most important positions for the Pirates this year?
The Jagr rumors have chilled quite a bit in the past couple of weeks. Do you think that this was a media creation or is there some legitimacy to this? If not Jagr, who do you think the Penguins main target will be at the deadline?
Love the video features on your site. They made me think this week-Out of the thousands of interviews you've done, both locally, nationally, and internationally, which has been your most memorable, and why? Thanks for the time.
Do you think the new MLB batters box rules will reduce batting numbers even more? It may keep batters from taking a second or two to fully assess the situation and count. I'm thinking like Rick Reuschel used to do to batters with his quick pitching pace.
Good morning ned,
errr
Dejan,
Do you think that by the pirates going out and getting Kang. The writings on the wall for neil walker? Are the bucs not sure about mercer? I dont think they sign kang without having someone in mind to supplant.
Thanks DK God bless
Hey DK, with all of the stories coming out about the penguins possibly looking to bring Jordan Staal back this offseason, I was wondering if you think it's a deal worth making? Even with the NHL center ice package I rarely tune into Hurricanes games so I haven't seen much of him except for when he's played against the pens, but it doesn't look like he's had a very productive run in Carolina. Obviously they don't have a great supporting cast and he's dealt with injuries, but I wanted to see what you thought.
One article from a local rag that likes to create rumors...... Well, it seems they have achieved their goal.
3-2 Changeup
2-24-2015, 8:48 am
DK, are the comments from Hurdle about Kang being a starter legit or part of a plan to put pressure on Walker to sign a long term deal? Bucs management appears to be approaching a Walker extension disingenuously. Thoughts?
Hello! I was just wondering, since unlike a newspaper or magazine, it's just you, how do you decide where to go and what to cover? And do you ever worry that you will miss something while you are covering something else? (like Adams being scratched... Just kidding... Kind of). Thanks!
Dejan, what is your gut feeling on the Trade Deadline? Minor pickup (Depth D-Man) or are they looking to get a Top 4 Dman or Top 9 Forward? If so who are the likely players to be dealt since someone from the roster would have to leave?
Is there any reason to feel good about the Penguins until they can beat a team in the Metro? Should we expect a major shake-up if the Pens lose to Washington tomorrow?
Now that you are on your way to being a media mogul with a hugely successful website, clothing line, and tv/radio appearances weekly, what is next for DK? Im guessing a clone, so you can get some sleep or some sort of nationally syndicated show, or maybe local like Wayne's World.
Would love to see "sports beat" type show brought back to Root network. Looked forward to it every evening!
Breno
2-24-2015, 8:56 am
Hi DK. I'm headed down to Bradenton in a few weeks to catch a few games over Spring Break. Is there anything (or anyone) that this untrained eye should be focusing on that will be particularly interesting or impact the Pirates in the long-term?
In light of Cutch's recent column in The Players' Tribune, do you think that the recent trend of player-columnists will have a major effect on the industry as a whole?
Hey Dejan, I am looking forward to seeing how the Pens look vs WAS and CLB this week, but if they appear outclassed once again by division opponents, the case is to be made to trade P Martin (preferably out West) if the return is a first round pick and a prospect. The Pens have been going "All In" for much of the last decade, and this team would be well served to take the chance to re-stock some of the young talent in this organization. If C Ehrhoff is healthy, he can take P Martin's spot. The Pens only chance to win the Cup is with Sid, Geno, Letang and Fleury performing at an elite level. If that happens, they can win without P Martin. Agree?
With pass rushers blowing up the combine along with Trae Wayes, and Marcus Peters likely off the Steelers' board... Could a different position be the first pick?
A left tackle that moves Beachum over to guard? A tight end to take over for Heath? A safety to push Mitchell and Shamarko?
If the top outside linebackers and defensive backs are not available for pick 22, do you see the Steelers drafting a TE (Maxx Williams), or trading down?
What are you thoughts as to the reason the Staal talk has leaked? Is that JR sending a message to Jordan Staal? I'm assuming that it wasn't by accident that the articles appeared all of a sudden in both papers...
DK: you've reported re: J-Hay that no one has found a "weakness" as a hitter, whereas you mention teams adjusting to take advantage of Polanco's "big, looping" swing. What are the coaches doing, if anything, to help Polanco adjust to the adjustments?
You read this in Travis Sawchik's blog recently. Just recognized the subject matter, in case you cared.
bpn8pitt
2-24-2015, 9:21 am
Have you noticed any correlation between Penguin strategy and player type utilizing "advanced stats" this season? I know when Rutherford was hired he pointed to analytics as an area that needed improved.
In regards to the Staal talk and Sutter, isn't it time to look for a new 3rd line center if year after year, you have to fire him up by threatening to bring in a better 3rd line center? The advanced stats folks will point out his horrible possession numbers, but do we really think Sutter will be a Penguin when his contract expires if management is looking for a replacement on a yearly basis? Would love to see a bigger guy there, like a Martin Hanzal, or hope that Oscar Sundqvist can develop into that role in the next year or two.
DK, I'm wondering what you think about a recent local column stating that Crosby's skills are beginning to fade. Do you see him in decline, is it the declining talent of his linemates (Kunnitz, et. al.), lack of enforcement of league rules, or just a columnist who has a poor relationship with or opinion of Crosby?
Why does everyone say that the Pens are in "cap trouble" for this year... shouldn't the LTIR rules of the NHL (and how they apply to Dupuis and Maatta and other IR folks we had for a short period) buy us some cap room for a deadline deal/trade?
Pens used up most of the IR space with D Perron's contract.
AJS
2-24-2015, 10:01 am
Why not 2 feet in the box? Two feet makes it live. Go at any moment. Do you propose not being able to take a sign from the third base coach? This has always been around. It never slowed the game. It is the little ticks these guys have developed. The gloves the straps the whatever. Put it in the hands of the ump and twll them to enforce it. If a player is out of the box for a legitimate reason like taking a sign then fine. If it looks like a player is just messing with equipment then issue a warning and if it happens again issue a strike call.
I have always been a proponent of whatever helps a hotter prepare and calm himself but restrapping gloves every pitch 4 times or adjusting that shin protector every time is obsurd. Peraonally I took a sign grabbed a handful of dirt to rub on the grip and was back in the box.
I can tell you about the Philly component of your readership, because I'm part of it. In 1992, I needed a job. There were none in my field in Pittsburgh. It became a choice between moving to Philly and my wife and I not eating. We chose to eat. We never let our teams go, though. It's actually kind of fun being a Pens fan in Phily.
I've never had a problem with the length of a baseball game, especially when I attend them. Of course, I don't have children. When I am at a game, I've usually committed the entire night to it or at least most of it to the event. I certainly understand people's preference for it to be shorter. And yes, those night's that I watch them on TV, it would be cool if they were 30 mins shorter. But all this business about shaving 5-10 minutes off seems useless. Not sure there will be a noticeable difference.
I cannot agree with you more that maybe it's time for Amodio to go. He had done nothing to improve DU Athletics in his time there. Many of the programs have become mediocre under his reign. Maybe a change will finally take place with Dougherty retiring.
With the fiasco and inside comments that are going on w/ A-Rod and the Yankees, do you expect we will start to hear the same about Pedro at some point in the season.
Dejan is there anyword on Josh Bell playing any first base in spring training. I know he is an outfielder by trade but there seems to be no room in the near future and if the bat plays you have to get it in the lineup somewhere. so if not first base than where.
Regarding where we subscribers are, I am in central Ohio, but am a western PA native. I am here in Ohio (obviously) for my job.
Prior to DKonPittsburghSports, I read the post-gazette and triblive for my Pittsburgh sports coverage. Since, I barely skim them, getting most of my info from DK!
The interesting thing for me about the Staal discussion is that the same primary issue that seemed to drive him out of town -- i.e., his desire to be more than a 3rd line center -- still exists here. Now, given what's happened to him over the past couple years, I don't think he has the same leverage he once had. But it seems he'd be courting a similar dissatisfaction if he did come back...
February 24, 2015
Tuesday 12 Qs: Polanco, Staal, Tuitt, Ferry
by Dejan Kovacevic • Five Qs at 5 • Duquesne, Penguins, Pirates, Pitt, Steelers
Gregory Polanco smashes a ball high and just to the right of the big batter’s eye at Pirate City. — DEJAN KOVACEVIC
BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC
Welcome to Tuesday 12 Qs, our chat that takes place each week at 9 a.m. and offers you a chance to carry the conversation. Use the comments below to submit an entry. No more than one per person, please. Submit early if you prefer, and I’ll pick from that batch to get rolling.
UPDATE 9 a.m.: Away we go …
Radio Wave: DK, do you think most Pittsburgh fans are in favor of or against Major League Baseball’s new pace-of-game rules?
DK: I’ll sometimes praise or criticize fan behavior or sentiment, but I’ll never advise on what anyone does or should think. I’ve honestly got no clue, though I’d be interested to hear more of what some of you think beyond what I’ve already read in comments.
It was brought up with Clint Hurdle in Bradenton a couple days ago, and he bluntly told us he wouldn’t put much more thought into it than happily supporting any initiative MLB wants to take in this regard, adding, “We’re aware that we’re in the entertainment business, and I know that Joe Torre has done a lot of work on this.”
My own feeling was that the moves were woefully inadequate — baseball games have become ridiculously long, which hurts nearly everyone involved — and basically skirted the issue. They might shave off 2-3 minutes and no more.
One foot in the box?
Why not both?
I never liked the clock idea because part of baseball’s beauty is that it’s played without time restrictions, but there are so many other ideas that could have been implemented by little more than the umpires enforcing existing, logical practices. And if he didn’t like what he was seeing, call a ball against the pitcher or a strike against the batter.
You’d see nine innings in 2 1/2 hours with the snap of a finger.
Mike: Do you think Jim Rutherford would make the same trade twice to get Jordan Staal back? It certainly wouldn’t work unless another salary was moved but even if Derrick Pouilot turns out to be a star, wouldn’t Staal be more useful for this current group trying to win in the here and now?
DK: Here’s what I think, and some won’t like it: Within the same 24-hour span, three local media outlets reported on the Penguins being interested in reacquiring Staal, with all three throwing in the caveat that it probably wouldn’t happen — if it happens at all — until after the season.
I won’t judge the veracity of anyone’s reporting. Because, as is the case in the reverse, I don’t know what goes into theirs anymore than they know what goes into mine. And in this specific case, since I was in Florida for the past week, I’d know even less about the specific circumstances.
But I will say that I’m very surprised that I’ve yet to hear, read or see anyone mention the extremely real possibility that management was smart enough to lay this out there over the weekend in an attempt to get Brandon Sutter out of his three-month malaise.
Remember Ryan Kesler?
Remember how Ray Shero was pursuing Kesler — for real — just this time a year ago?
And how it ticked off Sutter and spurred him on to become nothing less than the Penguins’ best forward in the playoffs that followed?
Come on already. If that isn’t the elephant in the room here, with Rutherford surrounded by lieutenants who were here last season, with the Penguins having zero means of acquiring Staal with cap constraints that currently wouldn’t cover 20 percent of his salary, with the GM bizarrely talking about the original Staal-Sutter trade with a local publication on the record in a rare public discussion about another franchise’s player … I’ll say it again: Come on.
Ron Francis, now Carolina’s GM and as trustworthy a man as I’ve ever met, had to blow this smokescreen by telling the Raleigh media he’s absolutely not trading Staal.
But that won’t matter to the Penguins one whit if they’ll have achieved their real goal here and Sutter suddenly takes off as he did last spring.
In the interim, a whole lot of folks will have been seriously played.
PittFan412: With James Harrison recently announcing that he will return for another season, how do you see him fitting into Keith Butler’s defense and might this affect the Steelers drafting an OLB in the upcoming draft?
DK: Whoa there, Harrison might want to return, but that doesn’t mean he’s returning to Pittsburgh. I wrote in Friday Insider two weeks ago that I don’t see Harrison coming back, and all that’s changed about those circumstances is that he wants to play another season. There has been no above-the-table indication from management either way, but all of the undercurrent is that it’s time to move on from all of the four iconic defensive players in question, including also Troy Polamalu, Brett Keisel and Ike Taylor.
With all due respect to all four, I hope the Steelers stick by that this time. At some point, the Cam Heyward types need to take over this defense, and others need a chance. That’s not to suggest they’re exactly overloaded with talent. They aren’t. But younger guys such as Jarvis Jones and Shamarko Thomas need to enter as default starters. It’s time.
Harrison could rejoin Dick LeBeau in Tennessee. It would be a wonderful fit for both. The mutual respect there is immense.
Randolph Yinzer: We all know you love Winnipeg in the winter, so after a week in the Sunshine state during the Artic vortex, which destination do you prefer more?
DK: I really don’t care much about the weather, wherever I go. If it’s cold outside, it helps to keep my favorite Starbucks drink properly chilled. Other than that, it really doesn’t affect my life. I don’t go to the beach. I don’t swim or scuba dive. And for that matter, I don’t ski or curl.
I did try curling in Manitoba a couple years ago. Didn’t exactly pan out …
Comparing Winnipeg and Bradenton on the scale of what makes places interesting, Winnipeg wins on a scale of about a gazillion to one.
Big Daddy: DK, while you were down Bradenton, did you notice a more laid back atmosphere from the players knowing that the majority of the roster spots are already filled compared to past training camps when players had to open up eyes to make the roster?
DK: Yeah, and I’m glad you asked this. It really is different.
I brought it up with Hurdle just yesterday, as a matter of fact, and his response included this: “We’re having fun. We’re smiling. But we’re also going about our business, getting done what needs to get done and getting it done with a sense of purpose.”
As usual, the manager’s summation can’t be topped.
It’s a camp with a very confident feel to it, but also one in which no is shy about lightening the mood. Before A.J. Burnett took the mound for his bullpen session yesterday, he walked back to the water cooler, filled two cups and approached both catchers in the pen — who’d already worked with other pitchers — and strolled to the plate to offer refreshments. Francisco Cervelli and Tony Sanchez both looked delighted that he did.
That kind of thing.
ajbeam7: We all can assume how you feel about the most recent scratching of Craig Adams (throw in an “obviously” from Mike Tomlin). But what was the reasoning? Why now? Why even bother at this point? Seems to be hollow now. I’m really just left scratching my head in bewilderment.
DK: Mike Johnston’s explanation, which he’d made beforehand, was that he’s looking to rotate players out of the lineup to keep them fresher for the playoffs. Feel free to accept that. I don’t.
Some players are more equal than others. Scratching Adams or Steve Downie won’t carry any weight toward that explanation unless it cycles through the top two lines, as well. And I’m not seeing that happening, given the increasing tightness of the Eastern standings.
Don’t misunderstand: As you suggest, I am all in on scratching Adams. But do it on merit rather than some pose-striking. That’s all this looks like.
Obviously.
Colin Stephen: Obviously, you think cornerbacks are the weakest position on the Steelers’ defense. What do you think is the strongest position on defense?
DK: This is a great way to phrase this question because, no matter which position one cites, it’s accompanied by an asterisk of some sort. Maybe the highest ceiling is at inside linebacker, if Ryan Shazier gets it together along with Lawrence Timmons. Maybe it’s defensive end, if Stephon Tuitt can blossom into a bookend for Cam Heyward.
What you really find out by doing that is that there isn’t one. There just isn’t. There’s potential here or there, a bit of depth here or there, but no one spot where you can say, man, that’s just so solid it doesn’t need to be addressed. They all do. Every last one of them.
It’s funny, but for as much as everyone cringes at the thought that the Steelers could take advantage of a draft filled with good edge rushers, the truth is that they really aren’t set there, either. Far from it. And I say that even if Jason Worilds is extended and Jarvis Jones comes to camp looking like a healthy Hercules.
Maybe management needs to be reminded of that before wasting third- or fourth-round picks on science projects and clipboard holders.
blufftalk: Dejan, what would it take for Duquesne men’s basketball to be a big player in the city again? The Atlantic 10 is a very good basketball conference, after all.
DK: I’ve long been convinced that the Dukes would draw a lot of attention, and almost immediately, if they were successful again. Maybe even just modestly successful, to the point where their own fans could see them as genuine contenders in the A-10, even if the rest of the basketball world doesn’t. I base that partly on their distant past but much more on the memory of the Dayton upset at Consol Energy Center a couple years ago. Sellout crowd. Real passion. Genuine enthusiasm.
I wrote early this season that Jim Ferry’s approach is the correct one, generally speaking, and I’m not backing off that even through the Dukes are again near the conference basement at 4-10. He could have continued rounding up juco ringers who’d have no attachment, no investment and no sustained time on the Bluff, or he could have put together a terribly young roster and taken his lumps along the way to something possibly greater. He’s done that, and I applaud it.
That doesn’t make some of the results this season excusable. There have been some real stinkers along the way. It also doesn’t excuse not seeing more improvement from freshmen TySean Powell, Eric James and Jordan Robinson. I thought early on Powell, in particular, might step up and start before long. Hasn’t happened. That’s partially on the player, more on Ferry.
Bottom line: Better players are needed. Many of them. And losing begets losing in college sports, so good luck attracting the really good ones to Duquesne.
Maybe a change at athletic director would change the outside view.
Maybe a change would be beneficial regardless. All Greg Amodio has done in his time on the job is subtract, subtract, subtract from sports as a whole.
Ronak Singhal: If Pitt doesn’t make the NCAA tournament, they are going to look back on some of their early losses (like to Virginia Tech) and kick themselves. The team now looks very different than from even a month ago. What’s changed?
DK: I don’t think it’s as much a negative, really, as a positive. The Panthers have gotten better. Jamel Artis is growing into a terrific ACC player. Sheldon Jeter and now Chris Jones are close to that. Mike Young has come out of his shell. James Robinson has finally shown a shooting touch, something I was sure would never happen. It’s a young roster that, after some early struggles to find an identity on offense and continuing defensive shortcomings, has gotten better.
I’m not burying Jamie Dixon over this if they miss out on NCAA, if only because any team built on a sophomore class like this should be getting better over the course of the season. And it should be even better the following season. Or the season after that.
Now, if this group isn’t getting it done then …
meredydotcom: Do you have many subscribers in far away states and other countries?
DK: Tracking our subscribers isn’t something we do, for privacy reasons. I’ll never have that data and, candidly here, I don’t want it.
We do track our readership, which, of course, is made mostly of subscribers, as that’s a vital part of our business, and we do that through Google Analytics, the industry’s gold standard for this stuff. I can tell you that our site has attracted readers from 131 countries, including one each from Azerbaijan and Bangladesh. (Clearly, I need to ramp up the cricket coverage.) The top five countries are the U.S. (94 percent), Canada (2.5 percent), United Kingdom (0.55 percent), Germany (0.32 percent) and Australia (0.3 percent).
Pittsburgh is No. 1 among cities, which shouldn’t surprise, but it’s only at 10.63 percent, in part because we’re talking about the city proper, not suburbs. Next on the list, believe it or not, are New York (3.67 percent), the Johnstown-Altoona corridor (2.96 percent), then Washington, Philadelphia and Chicago before we hit a bunch of suburbs such as Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, Cranberry and Greensburg.
Not sure what this says about our base, especially the Philly component, but I’m all ears if you’ve got any theories.
Eric Hince: DK, you’ve reported re Josh Harrison that no one has found a ‘hole’ as a hitter, whereas you mention teams adjusting to take advantage of Gregory Polanco’s “big, looping” swing. What are the coaches doing, if anything, to help Polanco adjust to the adjustments?
DK: I don’t recall ever saying or writing that about Polanco, Eric. He does have a long swing — just check that follow-through up there in that pic I clicked yesterday — but unlike some recent Pirates with long swings such as Adam LaRoche and Travis Snider, he also has the uncanny ability to shorten it up as needed. I really don’t think this will be an issue for him, short or long term.
Polanco’s issues were much more about how he was adjusting to how he was pitched. Coincidence or not, he’s spent the early part of this spring almost obsessively swinging for the opposite field. Read into that what you want. I asked him, and he said, “Just normal.”
In general, I wouldn’t place Polanco in other people’s categories. The tool set is just too explosive. The hands, the wrists, now all that added upper-body strength.
He’s special.
anthony.panza: Will you be traveling with the Pens during their West Coast trip in early March?
DK: I will not, Anthony, but this is as good a place as any to share that — contrary to my previously cited schedule for this week — I’m planning to go to D.C. for Penguins-Capitals tomorrow night. Pretty big game, I’d say. Well worth the booking.
I’m looking into covering the Pirates on a western swing this summer, too.
Richard Stewart: DK, love the “good dude” comments you make in the Friday Insider! With all of the news stories over the past few years about athletes (and sometimes sports organizations) behaving badly, it is easy to forget that there are a lot of college and professional athletes that are great people and do outstanding things that nobody hears about. Thinking back over your career, who are the handful of athletes that stand out to you the most when it comes to “good dude” status?
DK: Hate to take the beaten path here, but no one — and I mean no one ever — gives of his time to more people and more great causes than Sidney Crosby.
You’ve seen videos and documentaries, you’ve read accounts, but until you’ve witnessed what I did a couple weeks ago, it might seem surreal: After the Penguins played a matinee at Consol, Crosby was told a group of young children from his birthplace Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, were in the crowd. Minutes after the game and all his usual media duties — I honestly don’t recall if the Penguins won or lost, but it wouldn’t have mattered — he stood outside the team’s locker room and waited by a tunnel for the group to be brought down.
I asked why he was there, and he explained, then added with a broad smile, “This is going to be really cool. You should hang around. Wait till you see their faces.”
It was really cool.
Thanks to all for participating! Tremendous stuff, and a lot left behind, too, in the comments. Please don’t hesitate to shoot some of those back again next week.