Steel City Jim

Many years ago, the sports editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Al Abrams (an Arab, not a Jew, and a great guy) used to head some of his columns, "Things I think I think." Giving full credit to Mr. Abrams, here is my new offering of things I think I think.

1. The MLB trading deadline has finally passed. The Pirates unloaded shortstop Jack Wilson to Seattle, second baseman Freddie Sanchez to San Francisco, and in other deals got rid of relief pitchers Grabow and Gorzelanny to the Cubs. It was a frenzy of deals and it is obvious that Pirates' management didn't want those guys hanging around anymore. Wilson and Sanchez are both 31. Wilson is a tremendous defensive shortstop, but his hitting has dropped off of late. Sanchez is a fine singles and doubles hitter, and he was touted as an All-Star player. The All-Star tab was put on him not because he was voted in by the fans, a questionable procedure anyway, but because he was the best of the worst. Every team must have All-Star representation, so Sanchez was picked by default. But both players should contribute immediately to their respective teams.

So, what did the Pirates get in return? Well, for one they got two major leaguers. Ronny Cedeno came from the Mariners and he's an adequate shortstop. The Pirates even think they can improve his hitting. That remains to be seen, but he has gotten some hits since he's been here. The other Major Leaguer is a pitcher Kevin Hart who came from the Cubs. Now he looks pretty goo, with a 3.21 ERA. Why the Cubs gave him up is a mystery, but he will start for the Pirates on Thursday against the Diamondbacks. So, we'll see what he can do in a Pirate uniform. The rest are the usual-suspect prospects who look good on paper but who are a year or so away from the majors, if ever.

Eight of the nine Pirate starters from just one year ago are now gone. Only Doumit remains. So, the new management is following its plan of trying to fill the system with bona fide prospects. One is already in a Pirate uniform and is performing magnificently, Andrew McCutchen. He hit three homers on Friday night. OK, it was against the Nationals. But three homers are three homers. They brought up Lastings Milledge who, everybody knows, can hit the ball. Now, if they can only keep his head screwed on. There are also a couple of pitchers who are decent. So, they need a few more of those prospects to blossom, and who knows?

2. I think the Phillies, in getting Lee, the White Sox, in getting Peavy, and the Giants, who are very good already, in getting Sanchez, really proved themselves for the pennant fight and ensuing playoffs. With good hitting around him, Sanchez will see his stock rise.

3. Football is in the air, man. The Steelers have started practicing. Tomlin has made it a huge point that last year's Super Bowl is history and the focus is strictly on 2009. They claim that Rashard Mendenhall has shown improvement already. I am going out on a limb: I predict that Limas Sweed will have a breakout season in 2009. He will separate and hold onto the ball this year. I am hoping for big things from Frank the Tank. But it was reported that little William Gay put a lick on him in practice that made him cough up the ball. Welcome to the big time, Tank. Hopefully he will learn from this and become the short-yardage runner the Steelers have needed since the Bus retired.

4. Teams in the AFC North have definitely improved. Cincinnati seems to have its act together. Cleveland has a new focus with a new coach, Mangini, who will bring discipline to a team that was poorly led by Crenell. And, of course, Ravenzzz can't help but be better. Flacco, an unknown quantity a year ago, has established himself as one of the best QBs in the league. They will take the shackles off him this year as he is much more comfortable with his surroundings, and he will shine. Also, the coveted Derrick Mason, having gotten over the death of his friend, Steve McNair, is back in camp, and he'll provide a great target for Flacco. The Steelers beat the Ravenzzz three times last year ... literally, by centimeters. But Ravenzzz will be smoking this year and the Steelers will have their hands full (too full?).