It was just a routine practice on the last day of Steelers training camp in Latrobe.
Business as usual, a sleepy day in the monotonous drudgery of training camp.
Next thing anybody knew, Ben Roethlisberger was being checked for a concussion and everything changed.
A big part of the agenda in the preseason is keeping Roethlisberger away from contact and potential peril.
The crazy thing was they pretty much did that. Roethlisberger got bumped in what one teammate described as a "domino effect."
It may turn out to be nothing, but it demonstrates again how fragile things can be.
Now that Roethlisberger is 35, there's a lot of speculation about how much longer he might play.
Conventional wisdom holds he's good for another two or three years, but who knows?
Roethlisberger has a concussion history. He also has a wife and three young children, and he has many, many millions in the bank.
Two or three more years would be nice, but there's no guarantee that happens. The final decision on Roethlisberger's career may be made by a doctor, or by his wife Ashley.
When we think about football concussions, we automatically think about a savage hit from a tackler.
But today was a reminder that it can happen under the most innocent of circumstances, too.
---
Some Steelers fans are divided into two distinct camps:
Those who think they could be an NFL offensive coordinator, and those who think they could be an NFL general manager.
The latter group should enjoy Thursday's preseason game in Green Bay.
According to Mike Tomlin, the only quarterbacks he plans to play are numbers three and four on the depth chart -- second-year man Josh Dobbs and rookie Mason Rudoplh.
Given that Roethlisberger and Landry Jones are first and second on the depth chart, it's difficult to see circumstances outside of an injury that would provide a regular season roster spot for Dobbs.
Still, this is a great chance for the amateur GMs to hone their skills by watching two quarterbacks at game speed.
Just remember: They'll play mostly with backups against backups. Keep it in context.
---
Neal Huntington wasn't kidding when he said the player to be named later in the Chris Archer trade would be significant.
It was confirmed on Tuesday that the final part of the deal is Shane Baz, who was the Pirates' No. 1 draft pick last year.
Baz has a lot of potential but is probably five years away from the major leagues. A lot can happen between now and then, as the Pirates know from their experience with No. 1 picks who were high school pitchers.
Bobby Bradley never made the major leagues. Sean Burnett became an average pitcher. Jameson Taillon is at last showing promise this season in a career that's been derailed at times by injuries and illness.
It appears the Pirates gave up a lot, but it will be years before this trade can be evaluated.
For now, the Pirates got what they wanted, an experienced starting pitcher they can hold onto for several years. The Rays got what they wanted, too, a bundle of potential.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Sunday, August 12, 2018
Altoona Mirror, August 12, 2018
The San Francisco Giants retired Barry Bonds' number 25 Saturday night.
Should the Pirates do the same with the No. 24 Bonds wore during his seven seasons in Pittsburgh?
Oh, if only all the questions were this easy. The answer is an emphatic no.
Bonds was excellent in four of his seven seasons with the Pirates. He won two MVP awards and should have won a third. He was a major factor in the Pirates' winning three consecutive National League East titles.
He was drafted by the Pirates and played 115 games in their minor league system before he started a 23-year major league career in 1986.
Then he left for San Francisco as a free agent. The Pirates didn't make him a serious offer to stay.
It is also worth noting that the Pirates tried hard to trade Bonds after a disappointing 1989 season. To that point, he had a .256 career average and .804 OPS with 84 home runs in 2,366 plate appearances.
General manager Larry Doughty acquired Billy Hatcher in August of 1989 with the idea he would replace Bonds as the Pirates' left fielder and leadoff hitter in 1990.
The Pirates offered Bonds to the Dodgers for pitcher John Wetteland and third baseman Dave Hansen. The Dodgers said no.
They couldn't even talk with the Cincinnati Reds. Jimmy Stewart, who was one of the Reds' top advisors then, told his bosses not to bother, that Bonds was more trouble than he was worth.
The Pirates kept Bonds by default and moved him lower in the batting order. That's when he became the Barry Bonds everyone would come to know.
In his last three seasons with the Pirates, he batted .301 with a .980 OPS. He hit 92 home runs in 1,867 plate appearances.
Then he was gone. The Pirates invested their limited funds in Andy Van Slyke instead of Bonds.
Bonds continued to be a force with the Giants. He shook his reputation as a postseason failure. He piled up statistics that should have made him a first ballot Hall of Famer.
Of course, there are the messy details of how much assistance Bonds had from chemicals. The fact remains, though, that he was an outstanding player when he was sprinter skinny in Pittsburgh.
The Pirates could retire Bonds' number, but why would they? Less than a third of his major league career was spent in Pittsburgh. He belonged to the Giants.
His number should hang in their stadium, not PNC Park.
---
Did the Pirates outsmart themselves?
They rearranged the starting rotation to give the pitchers an extra day of rest. That meant Clay Holmes came up from the minor leagues to start Friday night in San Francisco.
To be charitable, that didn't go well. Holmes gave up seven runs on eight hits with four walks, and he couldn't finish the third inning.
So while the regular starters got an extra day, the Pirates sacrificed a game.
Two things to remember: The Pirates are on the fringe of the wild card race, not the thick of it. It's not like Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine were pushed back, either. The starting rotation has been mostly a crap shoot this season.
No doubt the Pirates had some science behind the decision. It's the time of year when players are dragging, and Clint Hurdle mentioned the just-completed series in the high altitude of Colorado, a dead giveaway that the rest suggestion came from above the manager's office. Hurdle is taking the heat for an idea that probably wasn't his.
The reasoning behind the decision may have been sound, but the execution made it a very bad bet.
---
A deflated football controversy in the first Steelers pre-season game?
Silly season has already arrived in the NFL.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Should the Pirates do the same with the No. 24 Bonds wore during his seven seasons in Pittsburgh?
Oh, if only all the questions were this easy. The answer is an emphatic no.
Bonds was excellent in four of his seven seasons with the Pirates. He won two MVP awards and should have won a third. He was a major factor in the Pirates' winning three consecutive National League East titles.
He was drafted by the Pirates and played 115 games in their minor league system before he started a 23-year major league career in 1986.
Then he left for San Francisco as a free agent. The Pirates didn't make him a serious offer to stay.
It is also worth noting that the Pirates tried hard to trade Bonds after a disappointing 1989 season. To that point, he had a .256 career average and .804 OPS with 84 home runs in 2,366 plate appearances.
General manager Larry Doughty acquired Billy Hatcher in August of 1989 with the idea he would replace Bonds as the Pirates' left fielder and leadoff hitter in 1990.
The Pirates offered Bonds to the Dodgers for pitcher John Wetteland and third baseman Dave Hansen. The Dodgers said no.
They couldn't even talk with the Cincinnati Reds. Jimmy Stewart, who was one of the Reds' top advisors then, told his bosses not to bother, that Bonds was more trouble than he was worth.
The Pirates kept Bonds by default and moved him lower in the batting order. That's when he became the Barry Bonds everyone would come to know.
In his last three seasons with the Pirates, he batted .301 with a .980 OPS. He hit 92 home runs in 1,867 plate appearances.
Then he was gone. The Pirates invested their limited funds in Andy Van Slyke instead of Bonds.
Bonds continued to be a force with the Giants. He shook his reputation as a postseason failure. He piled up statistics that should have made him a first ballot Hall of Famer.
Of course, there are the messy details of how much assistance Bonds had from chemicals. The fact remains, though, that he was an outstanding player when he was sprinter skinny in Pittsburgh.
The Pirates could retire Bonds' number, but why would they? Less than a third of his major league career was spent in Pittsburgh. He belonged to the Giants.
His number should hang in their stadium, not PNC Park.
---
Did the Pirates outsmart themselves?
They rearranged the starting rotation to give the pitchers an extra day of rest. That meant Clay Holmes came up from the minor leagues to start Friday night in San Francisco.
To be charitable, that didn't go well. Holmes gave up seven runs on eight hits with four walks, and he couldn't finish the third inning.
So while the regular starters got an extra day, the Pirates sacrificed a game.
Two things to remember: The Pirates are on the fringe of the wild card race, not the thick of it. It's not like Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine were pushed back, either. The starting rotation has been mostly a crap shoot this season.
No doubt the Pirates had some science behind the decision. It's the time of year when players are dragging, and Clint Hurdle mentioned the just-completed series in the high altitude of Colorado, a dead giveaway that the rest suggestion came from above the manager's office. Hurdle is taking the heat for an idea that probably wasn't his.
The reasoning behind the decision may have been sound, but the execution made it a very bad bet.
---
A deflated football controversy in the first Steelers pre-season game?
Silly season has already arrived in the NFL.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Altoona Mirror, August 8, 2018
Terrell Owens skipped the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony over the weekend.
But here's an upset: They went ahead with the event anyway.
Owens was pouting because he wasn't voted in until his third try. A lot of people thinking being selected is an honor, whether it's on the first ballot or fifth, but Owens obviously disagreed.
So he had his own ceremony at his college alma mater. The other inductees were in Canton for the more traditional path.
It's been widely reported that the Hall of Fame is considering a rules change that would make attendance mandatory.
Why bother?
Prior to Owens, nobody had their pride wounded enough to skip the ceremony. It's doubtful -- but entirely possible -- that someone will feel the same way in the future.
If someone doesn't show up, they don't go in the Hall? That's the only muscle the Hall of Fame has in this since they don't presently have the power of subpoena.
The first Hall of Fame class was inducted in 1963. Since then, every living honoree has shown up for his enshrinement.
It's a chance to step into the spotlight again, to thank those who helped along the way and to select a presenter who has a meaningful role in the new Hall of Fame member's life.
Steelers fans have had some great days in Canton, re-living the old days as members of the Super Bowl teams have been enshrined.
The players seem to enjoy the moment, which is a perfect way to cap a career that's been characterized by excellence.
If no-showing the event becomes a trend, then maybe there's need for a policy.
But as it stands now, this is just about Terrell Owens.
It's not worth making a rule.
---
There's a theory that the Pirates acquired pitchers Chris Archer and Keone Kela with the idea it would boost their sagging attendance.
That isn't likely to happen. Most baseball tickets are sold in the offseason, when people decide if they're going to commit their money. January is a big month, and that was when Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen were traded.
There was a spike in gate sales Friday for Archer's debut, but it didn't last throughout the weekend. Sunday's attendance was 19,376, which is not good for a game against the Cardinals in the peak of summer.
The Pirates only have 19 home games left, and eight of those are on weeknights. Unless the club goes on some sort of tear, it's unlikely the attendance will be much more than the advance sale, regardless of the new additions.
---
McCutchen said he was surprised to see the Pirates active at the deadline because they didn't do that when he was with the team.
Oh, those selective memories. Some of the players added in-season during McCutchen's time here included Marlon Byrd, Justin Morneau, J.A. Happ, Aramis Ramirez, Joakim Soria and Joe Blanton.
A lot of them helped, particularly Byrd and Happ.
---
Before you even ask, no, the Steelers are not going to sign Dez Bryant.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
But here's an upset: They went ahead with the event anyway.
Owens was pouting because he wasn't voted in until his third try. A lot of people thinking being selected is an honor, whether it's on the first ballot or fifth, but Owens obviously disagreed.
So he had his own ceremony at his college alma mater. The other inductees were in Canton for the more traditional path.
It's been widely reported that the Hall of Fame is considering a rules change that would make attendance mandatory.
Why bother?
Prior to Owens, nobody had their pride wounded enough to skip the ceremony. It's doubtful -- but entirely possible -- that someone will feel the same way in the future.
If someone doesn't show up, they don't go in the Hall? That's the only muscle the Hall of Fame has in this since they don't presently have the power of subpoena.
The first Hall of Fame class was inducted in 1963. Since then, every living honoree has shown up for his enshrinement.
It's a chance to step into the spotlight again, to thank those who helped along the way and to select a presenter who has a meaningful role in the new Hall of Fame member's life.
Steelers fans have had some great days in Canton, re-living the old days as members of the Super Bowl teams have been enshrined.
The players seem to enjoy the moment, which is a perfect way to cap a career that's been characterized by excellence.
If no-showing the event becomes a trend, then maybe there's need for a policy.
But as it stands now, this is just about Terrell Owens.
It's not worth making a rule.
---
There's a theory that the Pirates acquired pitchers Chris Archer and Keone Kela with the idea it would boost their sagging attendance.
That isn't likely to happen. Most baseball tickets are sold in the offseason, when people decide if they're going to commit their money. January is a big month, and that was when Gerrit Cole and Andrew McCutchen were traded.
There was a spike in gate sales Friday for Archer's debut, but it didn't last throughout the weekend. Sunday's attendance was 19,376, which is not good for a game against the Cardinals in the peak of summer.
The Pirates only have 19 home games left, and eight of those are on weeknights. Unless the club goes on some sort of tear, it's unlikely the attendance will be much more than the advance sale, regardless of the new additions.
---
McCutchen said he was surprised to see the Pirates active at the deadline because they didn't do that when he was with the team.
Oh, those selective memories. Some of the players added in-season during McCutchen's time here included Marlon Byrd, Justin Morneau, J.A. Happ, Aramis Ramirez, Joakim Soria and Joe Blanton.
A lot of them helped, particularly Byrd and Happ.
---
Before you even ask, no, the Steelers are not going to sign Dez Bryant.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Sunday, August 5, 2018
Altoona Mirror, August 5, 2018
MLB players have 72 hours to report to their new team after being traded.
It's right there in the labor agreement.
Reliever Keone Kela almost stretched that clock to the max when he reported to PNC Park on Friday afternoon. The deal to acquire him from the Texas Rangers was completed in the early morning hours of Tuesday.
The Rangers were in Phoenix when the trade was finalized. According to the always-infallible Interwebs, flying distance from there to Pittsburgh is about three and a half hours.
Depending on airline schedules and the inevitable delays, it's not unreasonable to suggest Kela could have been here in time for Tuesday evening's game against the Cubs. If that wasn't possible, Wednesday's game was.
General manager Neal Huntington said Kela told him he was anxious to get to Pittsburgh. But Huntington said he later got a wee hours call from Kela's agent saying the player had decided to return to Texas to pack and take care of details there.
So after he got the cable disconnected and tossed the eggs and milk, he came to Pittsburgh in time for Friday's game (Thursday was an open date in the schedule).
What happened to switch him from a "can't wait to get there" mode to "see you when I get there" mindset? That's a mystery.
For that matter, Chris Archer hit it out of the park with his introductory press conference and wearing a Steelers jersey. But Archer passed on the Pirates' request to start Wednesday against the Cubs and instead debuted on Friday.
It's nice that both new acquisitions spoke of their excitement about coming to the Pirates. It would have been even better if they'd backed those sentiments by suiting up as quickly as possible.
---
Every general manager in professional sports has a tale of woe about a signing gone wrong.
The team commits the money, and it's smiles all around. Those expressions can change quickly.
Take the case of Jung Ho Kang, who is expected to be unavailable to the Pirates for the rest of this season because of a wrist injury.
Kang's first season in Pittsburgh ended early because of a devastating knee injury. It was so traumatic that his recovery spilled over into the next season.
Last season he was unable to enter the United States, the result of his horrendous judgment that led to a third DUI conviction.
Kang finally got the work visa late this spring and was working toward coming back when the wrist injury developed. So on a four year investment, the Pirates have gotten two non-seasons and two others abbreviated by injury.
They hold an option on him next season for a very manageable $5.5 million, which will create an interesting decision for the Pirates this offseason.
---
Some people can be so dumb, it's equal parts frightening and depressing.
It's upsetting to think they're driving, voting and even worse, reproducing.
Case in point was a question submitted last week to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's online Steelers chat:
"Once (Ryan Shazier) recovers, would it make sense to move him to safety where we can better utilize his speed?"
Shazier is the Steelers linebacker who was very nearly paralyzed in an on-field collision last season. He is learning how to walk without assistance.
And this guy thinks that he will be able to play a violent game at the highest level, and that he'll be able to run as well as he did before the spinal injury. The questioner also presumes a doctor would sign off on Shazier playing football and that an insurer would underwrite that activity.
It's a scary world.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
It's right there in the labor agreement.
Reliever Keone Kela almost stretched that clock to the max when he reported to PNC Park on Friday afternoon. The deal to acquire him from the Texas Rangers was completed in the early morning hours of Tuesday.
The Rangers were in Phoenix when the trade was finalized. According to the always-infallible Interwebs, flying distance from there to Pittsburgh is about three and a half hours.
Depending on airline schedules and the inevitable delays, it's not unreasonable to suggest Kela could have been here in time for Tuesday evening's game against the Cubs. If that wasn't possible, Wednesday's game was.
General manager Neal Huntington said Kela told him he was anxious to get to Pittsburgh. But Huntington said he later got a wee hours call from Kela's agent saying the player had decided to return to Texas to pack and take care of details there.
So after he got the cable disconnected and tossed the eggs and milk, he came to Pittsburgh in time for Friday's game (Thursday was an open date in the schedule).
What happened to switch him from a "can't wait to get there" mode to "see you when I get there" mindset? That's a mystery.
For that matter, Chris Archer hit it out of the park with his introductory press conference and wearing a Steelers jersey. But Archer passed on the Pirates' request to start Wednesday against the Cubs and instead debuted on Friday.
It's nice that both new acquisitions spoke of their excitement about coming to the Pirates. It would have been even better if they'd backed those sentiments by suiting up as quickly as possible.
---
Every general manager in professional sports has a tale of woe about a signing gone wrong.
The team commits the money, and it's smiles all around. Those expressions can change quickly.
Take the case of Jung Ho Kang, who is expected to be unavailable to the Pirates for the rest of this season because of a wrist injury.
Kang's first season in Pittsburgh ended early because of a devastating knee injury. It was so traumatic that his recovery spilled over into the next season.
Last season he was unable to enter the United States, the result of his horrendous judgment that led to a third DUI conviction.
Kang finally got the work visa late this spring and was working toward coming back when the wrist injury developed. So on a four year investment, the Pirates have gotten two non-seasons and two others abbreviated by injury.
They hold an option on him next season for a very manageable $5.5 million, which will create an interesting decision for the Pirates this offseason.
---
Some people can be so dumb, it's equal parts frightening and depressing.
It's upsetting to think they're driving, voting and even worse, reproducing.
Case in point was a question submitted last week to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's online Steelers chat:
"Once (Ryan Shazier) recovers, would it make sense to move him to safety where we can better utilize his speed?"
Shazier is the Steelers linebacker who was very nearly paralyzed in an on-field collision last season. He is learning how to walk without assistance.
And this guy thinks that he will be able to play a violent game at the highest level, and that he'll be able to run as well as he did before the spinal injury. The questioner also presumes a doctor would sign off on Shazier playing football and that an insurer would underwrite that activity.
It's a scary world.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Altoona Mirror, August 1, 2018
Neal Huntington did more than just acquire two pitchers on Tuesday.
He jolted the team's fan base, and he destroyed the myth that he is unwilling to trade prospects to get help for the major league club.
The Pirates added starter Chris Archer and reliever Keone Kela at the trade deadline, setting the team up for a run at this year's postseason while also addressing roster building beyond this season.
The Pirates were big players at the frenetic MLB trading deadline because of who they added rather than subtracted.
The cost in players was significant -- Archer was acquired for Austin Meadows, Tyler Glasnow and a third player who has not yet been named.
Kela was traded for lefthander starter Taylor Hearn and another player not yet named.
When the smoke cleared, the Pirates had arguably acquired the best starter and best reliever still on the market as the deadline approach.
The time stamp on the e-mail announcing the Kela trade was significant. It was sent at 1:11 a.m. Tuesday, which offers some idea of how intense things can get as time is running out.
Huntington said the Pirates closed the Archer deal at 3:57, three minutes before the deadline. Reports say the Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers all went down to the wire chasing Archer.
These are not rental players. Kela is under club control for two seasons beyond this one. Archer is signed through 2021 at manageable figures -- he signed for $7.5 million next season and $8.25 million over each of the two following seasons. His salary numbers are almost identical to those of Ivan Nova.
The Pirates get a dependable pitcher who routinely tops 200 innings per season. He should lend stability to a rotation that's short on experience. His numbers have trended slightly downward since a career season in 2015, but he's also been competing in a tough division and a league where the designated hitter rule adds an extra bat to the lineup.
Kela offers an insurance policy in case anything goes wrong with closer Javier Vazquez. He also adds experience to a late-inning group of Kyle Crick, Edgar Santana and Richard Rodriguez.
Meadows, who was sent to Class AAA by Tampa Bay, is the key piece for the Rays. They're taking a calculated gamble on the enigmatic Glasnow, who has a big arm but hasn't shown much consistency. The third player in the deal is said to be someone who could be significant.
Meadows' Pirates career turned out to be as curious as it was brief. He started out in spectacular fashion, then tailed off as opponents got a better handle on how to approach him. After that, he sat on the bench and was eventually sent back to the minor leagues.
Hearn was part of the return from Washington when the Pirates got Vazquez for Mark Melancon. Hearn was considered a prospect of some note.
These are the kinds of moves Huntington has mostly avoided in the past. But quality pitching is expensive to acquire, especially when the pitchers are in team-favorable contract circumstances.
Jake Arietta, who is 32, signed with the Phillies over the winter for a guaranteed $75 million over three seasons, plus two club options. That's serious money for a pitcher who is likely past his prime.
Huntington's significant challenge is to assemble competitive teams on a smaller budget than most of his peers. That's life in the small markets.
He stepped up Tuesday and made moves that are as much for the next two seasons as they are for this one.
The idea is to sustain competitiveness, and he took his best shot at that goal with two very bold trades.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
He jolted the team's fan base, and he destroyed the myth that he is unwilling to trade prospects to get help for the major league club.
The Pirates added starter Chris Archer and reliever Keone Kela at the trade deadline, setting the team up for a run at this year's postseason while also addressing roster building beyond this season.
The Pirates were big players at the frenetic MLB trading deadline because of who they added rather than subtracted.
The cost in players was significant -- Archer was acquired for Austin Meadows, Tyler Glasnow and a third player who has not yet been named.
Kela was traded for lefthander starter Taylor Hearn and another player not yet named.
When the smoke cleared, the Pirates had arguably acquired the best starter and best reliever still on the market as the deadline approach.
The time stamp on the e-mail announcing the Kela trade was significant. It was sent at 1:11 a.m. Tuesday, which offers some idea of how intense things can get as time is running out.
Huntington said the Pirates closed the Archer deal at 3:57, three minutes before the deadline. Reports say the Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers all went down to the wire chasing Archer.
These are not rental players. Kela is under club control for two seasons beyond this one. Archer is signed through 2021 at manageable figures -- he signed for $7.5 million next season and $8.25 million over each of the two following seasons. His salary numbers are almost identical to those of Ivan Nova.
The Pirates get a dependable pitcher who routinely tops 200 innings per season. He should lend stability to a rotation that's short on experience. His numbers have trended slightly downward since a career season in 2015, but he's also been competing in a tough division and a league where the designated hitter rule adds an extra bat to the lineup.
Kela offers an insurance policy in case anything goes wrong with closer Javier Vazquez. He also adds experience to a late-inning group of Kyle Crick, Edgar Santana and Richard Rodriguez.
Meadows, who was sent to Class AAA by Tampa Bay, is the key piece for the Rays. They're taking a calculated gamble on the enigmatic Glasnow, who has a big arm but hasn't shown much consistency. The third player in the deal is said to be someone who could be significant.
Meadows' Pirates career turned out to be as curious as it was brief. He started out in spectacular fashion, then tailed off as opponents got a better handle on how to approach him. After that, he sat on the bench and was eventually sent back to the minor leagues.
Hearn was part of the return from Washington when the Pirates got Vazquez for Mark Melancon. Hearn was considered a prospect of some note.
These are the kinds of moves Huntington has mostly avoided in the past. But quality pitching is expensive to acquire, especially when the pitchers are in team-favorable contract circumstances.
Jake Arietta, who is 32, signed with the Phillies over the winter for a guaranteed $75 million over three seasons, plus two club options. That's serious money for a pitcher who is likely past his prime.
Huntington's significant challenge is to assemble competitive teams on a smaller budget than most of his peers. That's life in the small markets.
He stepped up Tuesday and made moves that are as much for the next two seasons as they are for this one.
The idea is to sustain competitiveness, and he took his best shot at that goal with two very bold trades.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Saturday, July 28, 2018
Altoona Mirror, July 29, 2018
Buyers or sellers?
That's the most overused and useless phrase since "Face of the Franchise."
The MLB non-waiver trade deadline arrives Tuesday at 4 p.m., not a moment too soon. But let's not forget -- there's a whole other month to make trades, even though waivers have to be secured. So this won't entirely go away at 4:01 on Tuesday.
The latest projections give the Pirates a 13 percent chance of making the playoffs. If there's a 13 percent chance of rain, do you carry an umbrella or postpone your picnic? Probably not.
Because as any math major can tell you, a 13 percent chance to reach the postseason means there's an 87 percent chance of not getting there.
Realistically, that slim 13 percent chance is a shot at the wild card and all the drama that one game creates. The division title is out of reach, with the Chicago Cubs holding a seven game lead over the Pirates at the start of business on Saturday.
And keep this to yourself, but the Cubs are better than the Pirates. The Cubs' run differential is 100. The Pirates' is zero.
We've seen the Pirates play well and poorly this season, with extremes at both ends. They could be getting better. Jameson Taillon has shown some signs of improvement and maybe he can develop into that No. 1 starter he was projected to be.
But is there enough in the rotation to make a serious run at the postseason, then stay in the playoffs? Probably not, and there's nobody on the trade market who is going to make a big impact.
Middle relief could use some help, but it wouldn't be worth sacrificing a prospect of any pedigree. Those pitchers tend to represent a crap shoot -- the 2017 George Kontos was helpful, the 2018 Kontos was useless enough to get released by two teams.
Is there an available big bat that will help the offense? Doubtful, and there's really no place to put a new acquisition now that all three outfielders are hitting and Austin Meadows is knocking on the door behind them.
If the Pirates do anything between now and Tuesday, it will probably be something small. That will keep the phone lines jumping on sports talk radio, but that's the way the situation is likely to play out.
And given that 87 percent chance of being excluded from the postseason and the very good chance they won't maintain the .824 winning percentage they've had in the current hot streak, that's probably the prudent way to go.
Buyers or sellers? Most likely neither, when it comes to anything big.
---
So Antonio Brown took a helicopter to training camp this season, which ups the whole vehicular entrance quotient.
St. Vincent College is landlocked, so there's no chance for a water entrance.
What's next, parachuting in? You'd love to see the faces of Kevin Colbert and Art Rooney II if they watched their $68 million investment floating down toward the green grass of Latrobe.
Despite Brown's airborne entrance, the favorite training camp transportation story still comes from the old days. A geography-impaired rookie arrived at Greater Pittsburgh Airport, jumped in a cab and told the driver to take him to St. Vincent.
The meter was probably clicking like a weed whacker as the cab made that 58-mile journey. Thereafter, the Steelers made certain newcomers understood camp was not exactly in the neighborhood.
---
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred criticized Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels for not doing more to promote himself.
Only in baseball would the commissioner find fault with one of the sport's biggest stars and best citizens.
Only in 2018 America would modesty be considered a flaw.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
That's the most overused and useless phrase since "Face of the Franchise."
The MLB non-waiver trade deadline arrives Tuesday at 4 p.m., not a moment too soon. But let's not forget -- there's a whole other month to make trades, even though waivers have to be secured. So this won't entirely go away at 4:01 on Tuesday.
The latest projections give the Pirates a 13 percent chance of making the playoffs. If there's a 13 percent chance of rain, do you carry an umbrella or postpone your picnic? Probably not.
Because as any math major can tell you, a 13 percent chance to reach the postseason means there's an 87 percent chance of not getting there.
Realistically, that slim 13 percent chance is a shot at the wild card and all the drama that one game creates. The division title is out of reach, with the Chicago Cubs holding a seven game lead over the Pirates at the start of business on Saturday.
And keep this to yourself, but the Cubs are better than the Pirates. The Cubs' run differential is 100. The Pirates' is zero.
We've seen the Pirates play well and poorly this season, with extremes at both ends. They could be getting better. Jameson Taillon has shown some signs of improvement and maybe he can develop into that No. 1 starter he was projected to be.
But is there enough in the rotation to make a serious run at the postseason, then stay in the playoffs? Probably not, and there's nobody on the trade market who is going to make a big impact.
Middle relief could use some help, but it wouldn't be worth sacrificing a prospect of any pedigree. Those pitchers tend to represent a crap shoot -- the 2017 George Kontos was helpful, the 2018 Kontos was useless enough to get released by two teams.
Is there an available big bat that will help the offense? Doubtful, and there's really no place to put a new acquisition now that all three outfielders are hitting and Austin Meadows is knocking on the door behind them.
If the Pirates do anything between now and Tuesday, it will probably be something small. That will keep the phone lines jumping on sports talk radio, but that's the way the situation is likely to play out.
And given that 87 percent chance of being excluded from the postseason and the very good chance they won't maintain the .824 winning percentage they've had in the current hot streak, that's probably the prudent way to go.
Buyers or sellers? Most likely neither, when it comes to anything big.
---
So Antonio Brown took a helicopter to training camp this season, which ups the whole vehicular entrance quotient.
St. Vincent College is landlocked, so there's no chance for a water entrance.
What's next, parachuting in? You'd love to see the faces of Kevin Colbert and Art Rooney II if they watched their $68 million investment floating down toward the green grass of Latrobe.
Despite Brown's airborne entrance, the favorite training camp transportation story still comes from the old days. A geography-impaired rookie arrived at Greater Pittsburgh Airport, jumped in a cab and told the driver to take him to St. Vincent.
The meter was probably clicking like a weed whacker as the cab made that 58-mile journey. Thereafter, the Steelers made certain newcomers understood camp was not exactly in the neighborhood.
---
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred criticized Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels for not doing more to promote himself.
Only in baseball would the commissioner find fault with one of the sport's biggest stars and best citizens.
Only in 2018 America would modesty be considered a flaw.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Altoona Mirror, July 25, 2018
Oh, the anguish and hand wringing that were going on in January, and not just because the Steelers were knocked out of the playoffs.
The Pirates traded Andrew McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants.
He was the Face of The Franchise. He was their best player. He was their only star.
Now we're near the end of July, which means almost two-thirds of the baseball season is gone, and we know this to be true:
McCutchen wouldn't start in the current Pirates' outfield.
Would he play ahead of Corey Dickerson, Starling Marte or Gregory Polanco?
He might not even be a better option than Austin Meadows, who is currently at Class AAA Indianapolis. And McCutchen is being paid $14.75 million this season.
At the start of play on Tuesday, McCutchen was batting .259 for the Giants with 10 home runs and 42 runs batted in. He had nine stolen bases, and his OPS was .766.
Those aren't terrible numbers by any means, but they're below average for a corner outfielder. He plays right field exclusively for the Giants because his defensive skills have diminished.
Remember last year when McCutchen got incredibly hot in June, then was almost as good in July? This year he's batting .241 over the last 30 days.
He's still a talented player and he's still capable of catching a spark and doing much better. It just isn't as likely to happen as it once was.
McCutchen will be 32 when he hits the free agent market after this season. What kind of opportunity might there be for him?
He's not the player he was in his big seasons with the Pirates. He's still serviceable, but what price will teams be willing to pay for a player who is clearly in decline?
If he gets offers, will any of them be for more than one year, or at most for one year and a club option for another?
Teams are wary of investing much in players over 30. If you're going to get average production, it's probably available at a much lower price.
It's hard to imagine there won't be any interest in McCutchen this off-season. It's even harder to imagine he'll get anywhere near the money he's being paid this season.
---
The Steelers officially open camp today, so get ready for some splash entrances by veteran players.
Of course, James Harrison won't be there to participate in the parade this season, so some of the glitz is gone.
Le'Veon Bell is expected to be missing from Latrobe for the second straight year, skipping camp as part of his contract dispute with the team. He will probably do what he did last year and show up a week before the regular season opener.
Even when he does, there's a sense of finality about Bell's relationship with the Steelers. The two sides can't find any middle ground for a long-term contract, so this second year with the franchise player designation is probably Bell's final season with the Steelers.
With that in mind, a good portion of this camp should be focused on finding a future plan for the running back position. There's a theory around the NFL that talent at that position is always abundant, so there's no need to overpay.
Bell is a special case, though. He not only runs the ball, but he's also a quality receiver and blocker. Could James Conner replace him? Doubtful, but Conner could be part of a committee that does.
It's time to start looking for an alternative plan, even though it probably won't be needed this season.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
The Pirates traded Andrew McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants.
He was the Face of The Franchise. He was their best player. He was their only star.
Now we're near the end of July, which means almost two-thirds of the baseball season is gone, and we know this to be true:
McCutchen wouldn't start in the current Pirates' outfield.
Would he play ahead of Corey Dickerson, Starling Marte or Gregory Polanco?
He might not even be a better option than Austin Meadows, who is currently at Class AAA Indianapolis. And McCutchen is being paid $14.75 million this season.
At the start of play on Tuesday, McCutchen was batting .259 for the Giants with 10 home runs and 42 runs batted in. He had nine stolen bases, and his OPS was .766.
Those aren't terrible numbers by any means, but they're below average for a corner outfielder. He plays right field exclusively for the Giants because his defensive skills have diminished.
Remember last year when McCutchen got incredibly hot in June, then was almost as good in July? This year he's batting .241 over the last 30 days.
He's still a talented player and he's still capable of catching a spark and doing much better. It just isn't as likely to happen as it once was.
McCutchen will be 32 when he hits the free agent market after this season. What kind of opportunity might there be for him?
He's not the player he was in his big seasons with the Pirates. He's still serviceable, but what price will teams be willing to pay for a player who is clearly in decline?
If he gets offers, will any of them be for more than one year, or at most for one year and a club option for another?
Teams are wary of investing much in players over 30. If you're going to get average production, it's probably available at a much lower price.
It's hard to imagine there won't be any interest in McCutchen this off-season. It's even harder to imagine he'll get anywhere near the money he's being paid this season.
---
The Steelers officially open camp today, so get ready for some splash entrances by veteran players.
Of course, James Harrison won't be there to participate in the parade this season, so some of the glitz is gone.
Le'Veon Bell is expected to be missing from Latrobe for the second straight year, skipping camp as part of his contract dispute with the team. He will probably do what he did last year and show up a week before the regular season opener.
Even when he does, there's a sense of finality about Bell's relationship with the Steelers. The two sides can't find any middle ground for a long-term contract, so this second year with the franchise player designation is probably Bell's final season with the Steelers.
With that in mind, a good portion of this camp should be focused on finding a future plan for the running back position. There's a theory around the NFL that talent at that position is always abundant, so there's no need to overpay.
Bell is a special case, though. He not only runs the ball, but he's also a quality receiver and blocker. Could James Conner replace him? Doubtful, but Conner could be part of a committee that does.
It's time to start looking for an alternative plan, even though it probably won't be needed this season.
(John Mehno can be reached at: johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com)
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