Submit entries here for Tuesday 10 Qs

I attended the Pirates/Nationals game Saturday and almost got to see history (still did see a no-hitter). Since you cover so many games, what is the most memorable game you have ever covered or even attended as a fan?

hey DK we all hear about how good the pirates minor league system is now compared to a couple of years ago but do you here the same thing from other teams writers or scouts & what exactly does a good "minor league system' look like? couple of real prospects in each level or 1 or 2 supposed can't miss guys & a couple of maybe players

DK what's your thoughts on moving jhay to first base? Cut your losses with Hart. Move Kang to third. Then bring A. Henson as a platoon infielder. I believe he can play SS and 2B. Hot bat.

Who will make the Hall of Fame first: Pete Rose or Barry Bonds? The new revelations about his gambling from ESPN make the stance of MLB a bit more understandable, but why can't a guy be enshrined in Cooperstown for his ability to play ball, irrespective of whether we feel compelled to censure certain parts of their stories? Does MLB really think that it reflects well on baseball to have the hits leader and home run king not be members of the HoF?
ESPN source: http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/13114874/notebook-obtained-lines-shows-pete-rose-bet-baseball-player-1986

DK, what efforts are the Pirates making, if any, to get involved in the market for Cuban players? Aroldis Chapman, Yasiel Puig, and Jose Abreu are all star level players to come out of Cuba in recent years, and I don't recall the Pirates making any effort to get them.

DK, you have said The Olympics has been your all time favorite event to cover. With the Rio olympics set for next summer, have you thought about covering the events (despite not having much to do with Pitt related sports/athletes)? It seems like you may be able to with the new additions to the site, especially with only Pirates and Riverhounds in season at the time.

Great news everybody! Cueto's next start moved to Friday!!!

DK - This question may be 51 weeks early, but with the US Open just finishing on Sunday in dramatic fashion, and since the tournament will be back at Oakmont next year, do you plan on having any kind of coverage of the event on the site? I gotta think a good amount of your subscribers are also golf fans, like me.... Oh yeah, when is the first annual DK on Pittsburgh Sports Golf Outing?

More perplexing and potentially damaging front office move: trading Travis Snyder or allowing Bryce McCain walk in free agency for a relative song.

Mackey mentioned that a Sutter trade is imminent/going to happen. Any news on this front or any Pens trade chatter?

Why do baseball and basketball teams where white for home games and football/hockey wear their colors

I for one am looking forward to the draft this weekend cause I'm interested in who the Pens are gonna draft and what trades will happen. Barring any trades that happens, the Pens will have a pick in the 2nd, 5th, 6th, and 7th rounds this year. Who could they possibly go after in the draft? It supposed to be a fairly deep draft this year so I'm hoping some good kids are leftover(hopefully a winger).

Hi DK. I'm still upset to hear that the Pens won't be using any buyouts. Any news on what role the team would like Scudari/Kunitz to play next season? The Pens need to get younger.

DK, who would you consider the best/worst coach and/or manager over the history of the 3 major sports teams in Pittsburgh (Pirates, Steelers and Pens)?

does it worry you at all that the pirates seem to struggle against the really good teams? being swept by the nats and struggling against the division worries me going forward. the only series I can recall where we beat a good team was against the giants. thoughts?

I recall you stating that outside the river hounds and world cup, you don't follow soccer that much. You also stated that you want the team renamed Pittsburgh FC. That said, readers need to know....

Are you a fan that tries to "Euro talk" your soccer knowledge. So is it soccer or futbol? Is it a pitch or a field? Is it a kit or a uniform?

Dejan, a couple questions about Pedro Alvarez: Has he always had such significant fielding issues? I know last year's problems throwing across the diamond got him moved from third, but was that the first time any issues were apparent? Because they seem to be here to stay, regardless of position. Also, do you think his shy personality limits his marketability to the fans? Home run hitters are usually easy for their fans to root for, as most seem to have a bombastic nature to them, a la Manny Ramirez. But Pedro certainly does not come across that way, and I feel like it might limit the ability of the Pirates to market him as a cornerstone player, which could make his (hopefully not) imminent departure all the easier. Your thoughts?

Penguins GM Jim Rutherford is clearly in the market for top 6 winger help. It seems that the Penguins really lack the roster, farm system, and draft picks to make a big time move. With that being said, can you name any potential targets that Rutherford may be looking into heading into the draft?

Hi Dejan,

Based on Roger Goodell's recent comments about not being "wedded to the original results of the Brady suspension," and the fact he's going to hear the appeal himself, what's your read? Do you think he'll really reduce or eliminate the suspension (if Brady has some reflationary new evidence), or, do you think he's just speaking in hyperbole and simply giving the press his "thought process (not my favorite phrase, I might add)" going into the appeal?

Any update on the elephant in Pitt's room? - Dixon can't recruit top guys. It has been downhill since Dejuan Blair and shows no sign of improving. I think Dixon deserves much praise, but the trend is clear, the top kids are just not interested without a clear Dixon family connection (Steve Adams), or worse, they commit and are done within months (Birch) and leave the program hurting. - how do they compete in the ACC with no top talent?

Why are the Pirates brass so conservative with their approach to their top prospects? Is it more about control and service time than it is "readiness". We've seen teams like the Astros take a more aggressive approach and it seems to be paying off for them. Teams are proving that it's not unfathomable today for guys to make the jump from AA to MLB.

I've got a soft spot for Beau Bennett since he scored my first live goal at Consol back in 13 against the Rangers but I'm concerned about GMJR talking about him playing on every line... It was clear to me that playing him on the fourth line was a total waste of time. Where do you think Beau fits to get the best of him?

There is a lot of talk that Kunitz, Scuderi, Spaling and Bennett cannot be traded for assets that we need. My question is do you fall into this line of thinking? My opinion is that they are still good players and that GM'S make bad trades all the time. I don't expect us to rob somebody but I still think the trades could be made.

A couple of weeks ago you wrote about your excitement on Josh joining the team and stated "...Having Josh not only as a reporter and writer but also as a sounding board, de facto editor and someone with whom to share stuff like anonymous sources, it’s been extremely uplifting."
It made me curious as to the industry standard to "anonymous sources" and insider contacts. How anonymous are they? In your old line of business, would you disclose the sources to the editor/boss? Is there an insider code that you in the business adhere to in dealing with sources to get info published while still providing anonymity to the sources?

DK - Although Mr. Rutherford wants to add a top six winger I can't see how the Pens have a chance of accomplishing this through a trade. They don't have very many marketable players on the NHL roster that other teams would desire for a top six winger outside of the core untouchables and Brandon Sutter. Sutter would require draft picks and/or prospects. Without discussing individual players, what is your opinion of the likelihood of Mr. Rutherford accomplishing this through a trade? Do you believe the Pens have the assets beyond the core of the roster to acquire a top six winger?

Thanks,

RT

I try not to be one of those "fire the hitting coach" fans. But I do find it odd that Jeff Branson and whoever the gurus are (Larry Sutton?) at the lower levels, escape all criticism. We gush and marvel at the genius of Ray Searage and Jim Benedict. Shouldn't we hold the hitting side to a similar standard?

I know you will cite some successes in Cutch and Marte, but I'm wondering if Alvarez, Mercer, Tony Sanchez among others, were brought along properly. I'm also wondering if the same decision makers may have rushed along Polanco.

Lunatic member, the site was worth it before but now with Mr. Yohe and some of the other Contributors it's the bargain of the century. Do you have team officials or players as members and would you ever consider allowing current or retired players to contribute a piece to your site like a player doing a weekly diary or recap of spring training or Steelers camp or a retired player giving his perspective.

DK with all this talk of Rutherford not only wanting to add 1 but 2 top 6 wingers plus with the addition of Beau Bennett being brought back does that mean the Pens plan on letting Kasperi Kapanen continue to develop or do they hope he can be part of the fix for the top 6?

Hello, Dejan, from Albuquerque, N. M. Since the Bucs best lead off guy (JHay) is also their best number 2 hitter as well - what do you think are the best options left for the top of the order?

DK, thoughts on the Duquesne AD situation? A recommendation, perhaps?
From, blufftalk

When you are interviewing, how often is background information given to you "off the record," either from players or management? Are there many great or sad stories that you are unable to share with the readership? Given the "human" nature of people, does the average / causal fan even have any idea what really goes on behind the scenes?

DK, you seem to capture the personalities of players so well, I think that is what sets this site aside from all of the rest. The personalities come through in your interviews, I was wondering if there was a certain person that was your favorite to interview or perhaps one that you found most intimidating etc. and why?

Hey DK,

Great website...keep up the awesome work!

I'm sure you stumbled across the recent MLB.com Franchise Four balloting highlighting the four most influential figures in each franchise's history. I found it extremely difficult to narrow my selections down to four individuals in the history of the Pirates. I was wondering who would be on your first ballot. Here's mine:

1.) Honus Wagner - First Hall of Fame induction class (tied with Ruth for second behind Cobb in votes)...best shortstop in the history of the game...8 x NL batting champion

2.) Roberto Clemente - I don't know if we'll ever see another arm in RF like his...2 x WS Champion...paved the way for Puerto Rican and Dominican-born players entering MLB

3.) Pie Traynor - Highly under-rated as a 3B...probably his era's equivalent of Brooks Robinson...almost won the pennant in 1938 as Pirates' manager as well.

4.) Bob Prince - 28 yrs at the helm of Pirates' broadcasts...Ford Frick award winner...Pittsburgh cultural icon

Honorable Mentions: Paul Waner, Fred Clarke, and Arky Vaughan

Dishonorable Mentions: Chad Hermanson, Derek Bell, bratwurst Randall Simon bludgeoned at Miller Park

DK, how can the Penguins possibly add 1-2 top 6 wings and simultaneously address depth forwards? It feels like they almost certainly must deal some defence away - their only bargaining chips aside from 3 3rd round 2016 picks. Unless there is a market for Jarry or Murray?

What's your take on Neil Walker's less than stellar production being related to his lack of contract extension? And as a follow up, were there actually meaningful efforts made by either side to get a deal done this offseason?

Explain to me why Mario's buddy and partner just buy his shares? Why wouldn't he just increase his ownership stake and keep him from taking another partner who he may not work well with. If Ron thinks the Pens are a good investment, why wouldn't he just increase his investment as his original cost is far less and would actually make his original investment that much more valuable. He would set the price for any future sale by him.

Let's Fast Forward to October. Look what happened.... Cards ran away with the Division. Bucs finished 2nd again. But they finish in first wild card position again. They will host the play-in game at PNC Park again. And they get to play the defending champs SF again. This time it is Madison Bumgarner vs. Gerritt Cole. So, who wins this time?

Can we expect a spike in performance from Mike Mitchell this year? They always say it takes rookies a few years to learn the Steelers playbook, would first year free agents fall into that category as well?

The 'Burgh may not repaint all the bridges yellow. Your thoughts?

If all Pens defensemen return, which one do you see out of the top 6? I thought the Dumolin/Chorney pairing did well when together.

I just saw this story (http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/25221687/nhl-rumors-islanders-kyle-okposo-a-possible-pre-draft-trade-chip) about a rumor that the Islanders may be seeking offers to trade Kyle Okposo. A perennial thorn in the Penguins' side, is Okposo a potential good fit with the Pens and, for that matter, would it be wise to make a deal with the Islanders or any other Metropolitan Division opponent? Personally, I am leery of making deals within the same division.

Haven't seen much written about goaltenders Tristan Jarry or Matt Murray being used as trade bait. Do they not carry much value?

DK as often as possible, I try to catch you and Josh live on your radio appearances, and I enjoy being able to catch up on yours when I miss them. Are you going to start posting Josh's as well?

Thoughts on the potential NHL expansion to Las Vegas and another and would an expansion draft help or hurt the Penguins?

We know the Buc hitters are drawing many fewer walks than last season when they led the NL. Yet their pitchers also have only 3 to date (and Cole alone has 2), despite the past 2 seasons when they had 12 in each. Is not being patient at the plate that contagious?

Is Andrew McCutchen a poor fielding outfielder who occasionally makes great plays? Or is he evidence that advanced metrics don't always tell the truth? He's ranked near the bottom defensively over the last coue of years. Thanks.