Steel City Jim

After stating that we Pittsburghers must endure some more patience while Pirate management exercises its plan to restock the farm system (which hopefully translate to major league success soon), I can tell you that the summer swoon, with which we have suffered these past 17 years, has befallen us once again.

With management assessing all the flotsam and jetsam accumulated these past months, the lineup -- depleted with Morgan and McClouth now ex-Pirates, and Sanchez and Doumit injured -- is a shadow of even its former under-.500 self. With the exceptions of McCutcheon, Wilson and Andy LaRoche (Adam LaRoche is a prime candidate for a trade), we have been treated to a variety of prospects. Most have been so-so, to say the least, and, having breathed the rarefied air of the majors, have been safely returned to their minor league teams for further seasoning.

It's pretty obvious than the trades for players like Bay, Nady, McClouth and Morgan, have not brought us the cream of our trading partners' minor leaguers, at least so far. Ohlendorff has shown flashes. But he was hit hard the other night. Morton pitched well against the Marlins, but fared poorly with the Astros. None of the position players has done anything to write home about. So, we are left with essentially a group of minor leaguers who are testing their mettle against major league pitching. So far, the results are not very encouraging.

One of the "prospects" the Pirates received in the Morgan trade with the Nationals is Lastings Milledge. Now, here is a guy who, physically, has all the tools to be an outstanding outfielder. (He is currently rehabilitating a broken thumb in Bradenton.) But at age 24 he now finds himself with his third major league franchise. He wore out his welcome with the Mets and Nationals, both of which were convinced that he's an incorrigible head case.

Neil Huntington, the Pirates' GM, stated that he knows he is taking a chance with Milledge. But he thinks the Pirate organization can get him headed on the right path. I am skeptical. Thumbs heal. Head cases tend to remain head cases. Manny Ramirez is one. Terrell Owens is another. These guys can play. But they tend to be so disruptive in the clubhouse as to negate their value. The Steelers steer clear of these types as much as possible. And when they have them, i.e., Plaxico Burress, they dispatch them as quickly as they can. But Huntington is doubling down to turn this franchise around, and taking Milledge proves it.

By the way, Orioles' fans, don't gloat. I note that both the Orioles and Pirates are sporting 38-47 records so far this season. But, take heart ... it's only three weeks until football training camp begins.