Dejan Kovacevic: Greetings from St. Louis, where I type from a room that, according to the card in front of me, was cleaned this morning by someone named Yolanda. Will not be at the ballpark for another hour or so, and no news yet on Doug Mientkiewicz or wife. ... Off we go ...

jim: Best management team ever? Really?

Dejan Kovacevic: They were all very excited Saturday, including Bob Nutting. And he didn't say "ever." He said in all current sports. ... People can be emotional, and the Pirates were very, very satisfied with how that draft turned out.

jim: Do you think the Pirates may go after a free agent pitcher this off-season?

Dejan Kovacevic: If you mean CC Sabathia or Ben Sheets, no. Other free agents? Every time I mention that term, it gets kind of a cringe. We will see.

DukeSnyder: DJ - What do you think the chances are for Alvarez to move from 3B to 1B at some point prior to making the PBC? I've read numerous reports that he handles 3B at least adequately, but of the three top 3B prospects in the system (LaRoche, Walker, and Alvarez), Alvarez seems the most likely fit at 1B.

Dejan Kovacevic: The Pirates like him at third base, as Greg Smith made quite clear in the Sunday piece. What happens down the road will come only after the default position is to have him at third. As for the shuffle you cite ... almost immaterial. The best players have to go at their most valuable positions. Everyone else can move.

Adam_LaRallykiller: Just wondering what you think the odds are of the Bucs hitting the coveted 90 loss plateau again. At one point I thought it was out of the question, but they are again making it interesting.

Dejan Kovacevic: They will need to hit much better than they have in the past week to have any kind of respectable record, within the framework of losing records. Is there such a thing?

OuttaThePark: Dejan, with Nate potentially moving out of CF next year to left and the seemingly glut of potential OF in Indy and Altoona, might the Pirates be looking to move Nate in the years to come for pitching as opposed to signing him to a long term deal?

Dejan Kovacevic: Again, getting way, way ahead. And I'm not just saying that to push the question off. The way management teams -- good ones, anyway -- handle these things is that they remain open-minded and allow situations to play out, to some extent. At this point last year, it might have been seen as ridiculous to be discussing Nate McLouth as a long-term center fielder or Ryan Doumit as the catcher. And, if the Pirates had closed their minds to either idea, how much worse would they be for it?

3B_Neil_Walker_went_0_for_4: DK, thanks for all of the coverage...I'm just wondering if you've heard if the PG is going to up their bandwidth? Your blog is key at the various deadlines and it has been about as reliable as Denny Bautista.

Dejan Kovacevic: The server has struggled at the trading deadline, and it slowed down for about five minutes at the pivotal moment for the Pedro Alvarez signing. (Amazing considering that came at 12:36 a.m. Saturday.) The superiors are well aware of this, and I have been told it is being discussed. ... It is to the readers' credit, I might add, that this is a problem.

roccos_source: With Pedro Alvarez now a Pittsburgh Pirate and some viewing his road to the majors a short trip, does the PBC think Andy LaRoche can make a move to second base in the future?

Dejan Kovacevic: Again, these things will play out. With this one specifically, though, that is not something that looks all that apparent. I never have heard anyone say Andy could play second.

MPM: Is it possible that Ian Snell could find himself in the bullpen next year? There should be some good competition for spots in the rotation next year after acquiring the three starters from the Yankees, and others on the roster like Phil Dumatrait and Jason Davis.

Dejan Kovacevic: Was talking to Dumatrait yesterday about how much different spring will look next year than this one. Remember when management declared as early as January who the starting five would be? Not going to happen next year. ... Not to say the rotation will be great, by any means. But there will be competition.

jim: Do you expect Jack Wilson and/or John Grabow to be traded during the off-season?

Dejan Kovacevic: Wilson will be shopped this offseason, as I have written before. Grabow might be, too, but other teams' concerns about his health might make it more valuable for the Pirates to keep him. (Those health concerns are based on a history of elbow chips, but all the guy does is keep taking the ball and getting people out.)

porky: Do you think that if Snell were relegated to the bullpen, he might be more inclined to open up and challenge hitters if he knew he was only going to face one or two batters?

Dejan Kovacevic: Until the Pirates -- or anyone associated with the team -- readily acknowledges that he needs to throw inside more, that will be hard to say. ... Maybe all the rest of us are wrong on this one. Who knows?

Sammy_Khalifa: When do State College playoff tickets go on sale?

Dejan Kovacevic: Next year. Seriously. Could be a very good group, once the Pirates' development people are successful in replacing a lot of the extended-spring dead weight and roster filler lingering from last year.

TroyBoyMiller: I know it's too early to tell, but of the 2008 draftees, which one(s) do you see as the sleeper like McLouth, Doumit, and Snell was?

Dejan Kovacevic: Not having discussed low-round guys with anyone outside the organization -- a disclaimer there -- I can just say that they are very excited about Quinton Miller. Hence, the $900,000 bonus.

OuttaThePark: We know that Paulino has been hitting the tar off the ball in Indy, any word on how he is doing defensively? Is there any chance that down the stretch we see Doumit at first or right and Paulino back behind the plate?

Dejan Kovacevic: He has not played much because of the ankle injury. Would be surprised if the defense has changed much, as a result. A significant change in something like that takes time. ... But he definitely has hit well.

clemente21: Dejan, how much better is the Pirates minor league system now then it was before the season?

Dejan Kovacevic: Neal Huntington put it best: If one goes to the top 10 they had before the two trades, the eight newcomers all probably slotted into the top 10. ... Now, four of those guys already are with the main team, but that comment was made before Alvarez and before Miller, Robbie Grossman had signed. ... It is better at the high end. Still not nearly deep enough. Not even close.

MAdesso: DK, any chance Evan Meek gets a September call up? He's been a pleasant surprise down in Indy.

Dejan Kovacevic: Have not heard that. But they have been very happy with how Meek handled the adversity from earlier this year. Look at the number of kids fouled up by that goofy Rule 5 process, and it only adds to the credit he deserves.

happyhower: Is management trying to target a top 5 draft pick for 2009. I understand we are in rebuilding mode, but I thought the objective was to win baseball games and not practicing for 2010\11. It seems we are not putting the best players on the field.

Dejan Kovacevic: That is a pretty serious accusation, as I am sure you know. I did watch a Pittsburgh sports team do that in 1984, though.

clemente21: Dk, Is Andrew McCuthchen expected to start next season in Pittsburgh or is he going to spend more time in AAA?

Dejan Kovacevic: That is surprisingly difficult to answer. I do not expect to see McCutchen in September. At the same time, I get the sense that nothing could be ruled out for 2009, including right at the start, should he somehow illustrate between now and then that he is ready. ... Again, we get back to the open-minded thing.

Matt: Do you think their lack of hitting was due mostly to superior starting pitching or does the absence of Bay and Nady really take that much of a toll on hitters like Doumit and McClouth?

Dejan Kovacevic: It is much more the latter. No question in my mind that those trades, however much they might or might no help in the future, crippled the 2008 team.

MAdesso: DK, any talks of moving Neil Walker back to catcher or maybe first base?

Dejan Kovacevic: No to catcher. Never heard first base. Outfield would seem a possibility. ... But, for the millionth time in regards to Walker, let him do something more than hit .237 in Class AAA before worrying.

DownByTheBay: What is going to happen with the draft picks from Army?

Dejan Kovacevic: Asked Greg Smith about this the other day and never printed it, so I'm glad you brought it up: The Pirates have not received word from the military of any pending return date, and it sure sounds as if they do not expect to. ... The rules changed in mid-game.

atkpitt12: What do you see the starting outfielders for next season as?

Dejan Kovacevic: For the bulk of the season, though not necessarily at the outset: McCutchen, McLouth, Moss.

The_Mighty_Swashbucklers: If Alvarez is ready for the Bigs next year, where will he play?

Dejan Kovacevic: Pittsburgh. Ha! Easy one.

BillyKidd: DK since Doug has been on the minds of many, do you seem them trying to resign him?

Dejan Kovacevic: That will have to be more mutual than people think. Mientkiewicz wants to play. That passion that you see from him is the result of wanting to play. He loves to be on the field. ... Will they try? I would be stunned if they did not. His impact on the 2008 team, from an intangible sense, cannot be overstated. We have not seen his like in these parts in a long, long time. ... And, just as important, he clearly still can play.

Phantom_of_the_Opera: Are the Pirates going to ditch both the red vests and pinstripes next year?

Dejan Kovacevic: One can only hope. Each was kept in play this season only because of Major League Baseball merchandising stipulations that required the wearing of a new uniform for X period of time.

The_Mighty_Swashbucklers: Will the Pirates spend another $10M on draft picks next year? Will they have a top five pick next year?

Dejan Kovacevic: They probably would have to get a top-five pick for that to happen, and that will take a pretty good nosedive the rest of the way. But remember, they will have two second-round picks because of not signing Tanner Scheppers.

happyhower: Since Nutting was willing to take Matt Morris and his $10 million contract for '08, why cant they pick up a free agent for the next couple of years to come around that market? So the first year they get acclimated to the team and by 2010 we should be able to compete.

Dejan Kovacevic: You like how that Morris one turned out, huh?

Lloyd: What is the infatuation with McCutchen? He is tiny with mediocre numbers and his presence moves McLouth to a corner OF position where his offensive production becomes marginalized to some degree?

Dejan Kovacevic: Who has an infatuation?

Charleston_Charlies: There are just not many questions for you when the team is clearly re-building, everything will depend on the players and their performance. This is a good thing.

Dejan Kovacevic: Actually, I am looking at 81 on this little screen I have yet to answer. And just four minutes left before Starbucks beckons downstairs in the lobby.

CecilEspyAwards: Any inclination if the Pirates would listen to legit offers for McLouth or Doumit, or does this front office have some limits with regard to overlooking public backlash (justified or not)?

Dejan Kovacevic: Any good management team listens to all offers. Teams have asked about all of the Pirates' best players all year. But some are easier to get than others. Try to imagine what it would take to part with one of those two.

CecilEspyAwards: I keep reading that the Pirates are "looking at 2010" to be competitive -- is this entirely speculation, or has management made any comments in this regard?

Dejan Kovacevic: First I have seen that phrase in my life.

butthead: What are the pirates top needs in the offseason, whether it be via trade, or free agency. I would assuming pitching is far and away #1, does SS come in a close second? Where do they look after that?

Dejan Kovacevic: That would be a very good projection on your part. Remember that the Pirates talked with the Rays about top shortstop prospect Reid Brignac right up to the trading deadline, with the Dodgers about another named Hu. (Chat allows no time for looking up names.) They clearly want to have an option other than Jack Wilson, even if Wilson stays put.

happyhower: With the Morris comment, Morris came from Littlefield. Assuming FC and NH know what they are doing, they should be able to pick up a decent free agent, correct? Once again, when they have the ability to trade up and not down, shouldnt they be able to pick someone up?

Dejan Kovacevic: The money is there. I write that time and again. But, just as clearly, as you might have seen in the long Sunday piece about the signing of Alvarez, the Pirates are very much focused for this year and probably the next on using that money to build from the bottom up. I just do not ever hear them talking about free agency, at least not seriously.

The_Mighty_Swashbucklers: Does Jason Davis = Karstens? A pitcher with ordinary stuff who has looked good in a limited number of starts?

Dejan Kovacevic: Davis is older, but any team would be nuts to rule out someone who looks as if he can start in the majors regularly. Let us see how he fares tomorrow against a pretty good lineup here. ... One more ...

The_Mighty_Swashbucklers: Question #82 - What is your favorite Starbucks drink?

Dejan Kovacevic: I have become so attached to the superior coffee of La Prima in the Strip that I have started to drink that ... is it called chai? ... when at Starbucks. ... OK, that's so pointless that we have to take one more ...

atkpitt12: What have you heard about Adam LaRoche's future with the team?

Dejan Kovacevic: Maybe the best question all day: He drives evaluators nuts. They see that swing, the natural, effortless power, and they envision that blossoming over a full season somewhere else and how awful that would be. But they also see those horrific April-May non-performances and realize how difficult it is for a team to carry a player like that, especially for a team where the first two months are so critical. ... He will be here in 2009, I think, even with a raise on the $5 million salary through arbitration. But free agency comes after that, and LaRoche would need a very good, not just good, not just adequate, start. ... Q&A returns tomorrow. Heading to Busch after the drink.