Kovacevic drives in two

Dejan Kovacevic (does it rhyme with copacetic?) brings us two bundles of Pirates news-joy today. First, some details about one-year contracts, complete with griping agents. Second, his first-ever Q & A, in which he cops out and has the nerve to ask us the questions! Talk about mailing it in.

Copying & answering questions has a long if undistinguished history on blogs. Here are my answers.

1. Who deserves most of the blame for the Pirates' inability to win since moving into PNC Park?

A. Satan? No, seriously, the blame would have to go to the people who signed the bad players to ridiculous contracts. I'd also note that they have only played four seasons in PNC Park. It's not like the Pirates have been losing there for 86 years.

2. When you see young players excel, as have Oliver Perez, Jason Bay, Jose Castillo, Jack Wilson and Mike Gonzalez, do you find reason for hope? Or do you just picture how they will look in another uniform?

A. That's a leading question. If I was a lawyer, I'd object to that line of questioning. Now, to answer. With enough beer in me, I can find reason for hope watching the Parrot dance on the top of the dugout.

3. For old-timers only: Can you recall any Pirates player between Ralph Kiner and Perez who single-handedly drew Pittsburgh fans to the ballpark?

A. Uh. Pass.

4. What are your choices for Dave Littlefield's best and worst personnel moves in his tenure? This does not have to be limited to trades. It also can be an internal move (keeping Castillo in the majors last year, Rule 5 fiasco, drafting Neil Walker, whatever).

A. Right off the top of my head, the Giles trade ranks as the best and the Aramis trade ranks as the worst.

5. In your mind, which prospect in the organization who has yet to appear in a major-league game has the greatest potential?

A. Zach Duke?

6. If Major League Baseball shut down for a full season or more when its current Basic Agreement expires in a couple of years, and you had reason to believe that the end result would be a salary-cap system, how would you react during the work stoppage?

A. Watch hockey games? Play Yahoo! scrabble? A salary cap would be fine with me. I would find another hobby for the work stoppage.

7. For season-ticket holders only: Is there anyone 18 or younger in Pittsburgh who cares about the Pirates? I am not talking about kids who get dragged there by their parents and roll their eyes when dad starts talking about how Bill Madlock once said that hitting a sac fly is the easiest thing in baseball. I am talking about passionate, stats-keeping, analyze-every-move, Bay-jersey-wearing fans.

A. Why is this question for season-ticket holders only?

8. Who should start in center field? For that matter, what should the outfield look like? Feel free to throw in a free agent you think the Pirates should sign or acquire through trade. But be realistic. No Beltran.

A. A lot depends on Matt Lawton's ability, range, and throwing arm. My guess is the team plans to rotate Bay, Lawton, Craig Wilson, Tike Redman, and maybe some Rob Mackowiak in the outfield. Redman's a low-budget Kerry Robinson-type; he can play center as a defensive replacement. I don't see any centerfield FAs the Bucs "should" or will acquire before opening day.

9. How do you feel about the Pirates' decision to delay signing Perez to a long-term contract? Is it a needless risk that could cost the team money in the long run? Or a shrewd show of patience?

A. Two words: Scott Boras. This is a trick question outside that context. Even if we thought the Pirates should negotiate now, the odds are against Boras letting his client sign for anything less than insane terms. Boras is on the record gloating about what a great thing it is to be a starting pitcher and a free agent. It's not right to frame the Oliver Perez situation as one in which the front office has a range of options. I'd even guess that Littlefield's decision to not participate in negotiations now is mainly sour grapes - he must know that he's in no position to get anything done with Perez right now.

10. A purely selfish one: What would you like to see in the Post-Gazette's coverage of the Pirates in 2005? Over the years, suggestions made to the Penguins Q&A have led directly to regular features in the newspaper. Among them were a minor-league notebook, nearly every element of our Sunday hockey page, specific story angles, the recent Penguins in Exile feature and a slew of other stuff. I would like to encourage that type of communication here.

A. The Post-Gazette should feature what fans can't get from other sources, e.g., information and analysis from players, the manager, other clubhouse folks, former players, the GM, etc.