First, they’ll have an excuse to watch honest-to-goodness football after the high school, college and NFL seasons have concluded for the year. It’ll be nice to scratch that itch, even if the on-field product isn’t Steelers-quality pigskin.

Second, “where are they now?” will finally have an answer. Given western Pennsylvania’s pool of talent, it’s inevitable that the Power will work to roster a few local heroes. Former Panthers, Mountaineers, Nittany Lions and small college and high school standouts not currently thriving in organized ball may have an opportunity to come back home and wear the local colors.

If I were the general manager in charge, these players would be on my wish list for the Pittsburgh Power’s inaugural year roster. Who’s on yours?

Anthony Morelli
QB, Penn Hills High School and Pennsylvania State University

Coming out of high school, Morelli was was rated the No. 2 pro-style quarterback in the country and Pennsylvania’s No. 1 overall prospect. After flirting with Pitt, he ended up committing to Penn State. As a Nittany Lion, he spent two years behind Zach Mills and Michael Robinson before starting as a junior. He became the only Nit to pass for 2,000 yards in two seasons. Still, Morelli never quite lived up to the hype, and signed with the Cardinals as a free agent after not being drafted. He didn’t make the 53-man roster, and signed with teams in the Arena Football League (prior to its folding), and the UFL. At 25, Morelli still has time to eke out a living playing professionally, and he’d be a recognizable name in a run-and-gun offense.

Andrew Johnson
RB, North Hills High School and University of Akron

Fast. So very, very fast. Andrew Johnson starred in football and track in the WPIAL, playing his high school ball at North Hills and Pittsburgh Central Catholic. Back then, he was ranked by Rivals as the nation’s No. 9 running back. Johnson began his college career at Miami, but never really saw the field. (He did run on the Hurricanes’ track team.) Finally, after three wasted seasons, he transferred to Akron. As a Zip, he rushed 56 times for 278 yards (a 5.0 average), and caught 11 passes for 64 yards. That was just enough to earn an invite to Cleveland Browns camp in 2009, but unfortunately, Johnson didn’t stick. He’s not in the game right now, but maybe a return to the limelight in Pittsburgh would interest him.

Tommie Campbell
DB/LB, Aliquippa High School and University of Pittsburgh

In the AFL, speed kills. Campbell was a star on the track as a Quip, winning the PIAA title in the 100-meter dash. He played in the Big 33, and was a top football prospect who was recruited to play for the Panthers. As happens far too often, Campbell had all the tools, but never stuck to a position. Dave Wannstedt tried him as a linebacker, but Campbell preferred to play in the defensive backfield, and was released from his scholarship in 2007. I’m not sure what happened to him from there, but assuming he still has his wheels, he’d fit fine with a Powerful defense.

Tyler Palko
QB, West Allegheny High School and University of Pittsburgh

Game checks of $400 might not interest Palko, who’s currently in camp as the Kansas City Chiefs’ third-string quarterback. Then again, no one’s ever won the starting job from the bench, and as Tommy Maddox and Kurt Warner can attest, small circuit leagues can provide opportunities to players to showcase their skills. What if Palko treated the AFL as pro baseball players do winter ball — a chance to get better in the offseason, and potentially catch the eye of another GM?

Neal Huntington turned over the 40-man roster he inherited from Dave Littlefield with no change in results at PNC Park. While the Pirates remain a last-place team, their minor league affiliates are stocked with legitimate prospects. There is hope for the future, allegedly.

Huntington’s work has the Pirates positioned well for a turnaround circa 2012 or so, but his evaluation of players in certain trades seems inaccurate in hindsight. Huntington is known for selling high on his own assets, and buying low on prospects out of favor with their current clubs. Unfortunately, along with his celebrated wins at the exchange came these four losses.

Room for improvement

John Grabow and Tom Gorzelanny for Kevin Hart, Jose Ascanio and Josh Harrison: It made sense for the Pirates to move Grabow at the 2009 trade deadline, as he was set to be a free agent after the season. He served in an important bullpen role, but in no way was he irreplaceable. The head-scratcher came when Huntington also threw in Gorzelanny at minimum value.

The 2010 Bucs need starting pitching in the worst way, and Gorzelanny has put up a 118 ERA+ in Chicago, going 7-7 with 110 strikeouts in 119 innings. Meanwhile, Hart and Ascanio are rotting on the disabled list. Harrison is a catalyst for the Altoona Curve’s offense, but he hasn’t hit for much power, and his speed isn’t a plus tool. An empty .300 average might fit at second base, but he’s played more at third—he probably projects as a utility guy at the MLB level, if he makes it there. Not bad, just not worth a 27-year-old lefty who was once pitcher of the year for your organization.

Jose Bautista for Robinzon Diaz: When Huntington shipped out Bautista, the move appeared to be motivated by a factor other than on-field performance. He wasn’t going to be a 40-homer masher in Pittsburgh, but Bautista wasn’t a complete dud, and he had some value as a multi-position bench player. The Orioles, Rays, Royals and Mets all gave up on Bautista’s talent, too, but Huntington had the last shot at the late bloomer prior to his blossoming into a four-win outfielder and third baseman in 2010.

Diaz was worth taking a look at, but ultimately didn’t hit in Indianapolis, didn’t hit in Pittsburgh, and didn’t hit in Toledo in 2010 after the Tigers signed him off the scrap heap. Right now, he’d be behind Chris Snyder, Ryan Doumit, Erik Kratz, Jason Jaramillo, and even Jeff Clement on the list of players I’d rather see behind home plate. In an extremely unfair comparison to an alternate reality, Bautista’s .258/.370/.600 line would fit fantastically into a lackluster Pirates batting order, no matter the defensive position.

Salomon Torres for Marino Salas and Kevin Roberts: Torres pitched just one season for the Brewers, going 7-5 with 28 saves and a 3.49 ERA in 80 innings in 2008. Salas and Roberts were out of the Pirates organization after one season each, and neither had any upside at the time of acquisition. Huntington’s hand may have been forced by Torres’ relations with the organization, but given the premium that’s placed on pitchers with ninth-inning experience, it’s a shame Sully didn’t fetch more.

Adam LaRoche for Argenis Diaz and Hunter Strickland: LaRoche was never the cleanup bat Pirates fans expected when Littlefield sent Mike Gonzalez to Atlanta, but he also wasn’t appreciated for the contributions he did make. Garrett Jones has been worth half a win for the Pirates in 2010 and Clement can’t stay healthy long enough to prove himself as more than a Quad-A type, and so first base is still up in the air for the short and long term.

I wonder if Andy LaRoche’s performance might’ve been steadied by having his big brother in the clubhouse on a daily basis. I know the 2010 lineup—and 2011’s—would’ve been more palatable with the elder LaRoche’s veteran presence. At a minimum, a trade return could’ve been improved. Strickland’s 5.53 ERA in 57 innings this year buries him on the prospect depth chart, and Diaz doesn’t seem likely to get a fair shake at a starting job.

If Huntington were to commit to a Diaz/Pedro Ciriaco platoon for 2011 in an attempt to unearth a poor man’s Omar Vizquel at shortstop, my opinion on this trade could change. As it stands, it was LaRoche for two bit parts at best, and that’s a waste.

Notable exclusions

Freddy Sanchez for Tim Alderson: Alderson’s work for the Pirates has been horrific, but Sanchez was a broken player when he was dealt and isn’t earning his salary in San Francisco. Neil Walker might not have broken out if Sanchez’s services had been retained, and acquiring Alderson was a move with positive expected value. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Jason Bay for Andy LaRoche, Brandon Moss, Craig Hansen and Bryan Morris: The jury is still out. Bay did well in Boston, but is showing in New York that he’s an injury risk. The Pirates can’t afford to have a franchise player who won’t stay on the field, and so it was best to part ways. LaRoche and Moss may still pan out (though in all likelihood, that would in other uniforms). If Morris develops into a No. 3 starter, he alone makes the trade worthwhile.

Jesse Chavez for Akinori Iwamura: You get what you give. “Iwamura” must be Japanese for disaster, but Chavez’s career ERA in MLB is 5.11. He’s shown no improvement in 2010, posting a FIP of 4.98 this year, compared to 4.85 in 2009 and 4.53 in 2008. A sideways move isn’t necessarily a bad one.

With the first overall pick in the 2011 Major League Baseball first-year player draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates select Anthony Rendon, third baseman, from Rice University.

Possessors of baseball’s worst record, the Pirates would make the top pick in next year’s draft if the season were to end today. Not since taking Bryan Bullington in 2002 has the team had such an opportunity.

Of course, when opportunity knocked eight years ago, general manager Dave Littlefield didn’t answer. He went the signability route instead, opting for a starter with No. 3 upside over more highly regarded talents. He bricked on the pick, allowing Tampa Bay to gobble up B.J. Upton.

Thankfully, Neal Huntington’s draft record is virtually spotless, and so the best player on the board in 2011 would be the player donning a black and gold uniform. Rendon’s would be the name called. He has franchise-changing ability. Superstar potential.

Current Pirates Pedro Alvarez, Tony Sanchez and Jameson Taillon are top-notch prospects. First-round talents all, they give hope to fans for the future. If there’s a gripe to make, though, it’s that they’re more likely to be all-star players, not MVPs or Cooperstown bound. Jim Thome, Yadier Molina, Josh Beckett … I’ll take ‘em all. Huntington’s picks should be great, but not the greatest.

Anthony Rendon, though, is worthy of superlatives. A cross between Mark Teixeira and Evan Longoria — or, from a Pittsburgh perspective, Alvarez’s bat with premium defense at third — could finally make the rebuilding stop.

Winning hockey returned to Mellon Arena when Pittsburgh’s hockey team was able to cash in on a winning draft lottery ticket. Losing out in 2010 could ensure the Pirates’ future follows a similar path.

How the Penguins went from worst to first

Being perennially awful but not the absolute worst team in baseball cost the Pirates Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper in 2009 and 2010.

The Penguins turned themselves around by sniping Sidney Crosby first overall in 2005. How would the franchise look with Bobby Ryan rather than Sid the Kid? The difference between 1-1 and 1-2 can be staggering. In 2004, the Washington Capitals drafted Alex Ovechkin, and the Pens wound up with Evgeni Malkin second.

Just as Huntington wouldn’t throw Taillon back after missing out on Harper, the Pens are certainly happy with Malkin.

Simply put, teams building through the draft should have a handful of stars — but the chance to find a face of the franchise is much more rare.

Alvarez, Sanchez, Taillon, Andrew McCutchen, Jose Tabata, Neil Walker … they’re the Malkins, Staals, Fleurys and Orpiks of the Pirates. But to be pushed over the top, the core of talent needs something that every other contending team doesn’t already have.

If Rendon really can hit .300 with 30 homers and play Gold Glove defense at third, the Pirates might have their Sidney Crosby. And just as when Crosby arrived the Pens still had work to do, Huntington’s job wouldn’t be complete. Signing key free agents, cultivating role players and locking up stars for the long term would be a new challenge.

But wouldn’t it be fun to have a different problem to solve for once?

July 31 was supposed to be a quiet day for Pirates fans, as the team had already dealt away most of its tradable assets in seasons past. Generally, the non-waiver trade deadline is overhyped, and rumor mongers get more play than transactions analysts. There’s a lot of talk, but not a lot of action.

Neal Huntington surprised me, though, and did about all he could as far as retooling the Pirates’ roster is concerned. He shipped out a handful of older role players — D.J. Carrasco, Bobby Crosby, Ryan Church, Octavio Dotel and Javier Lopez — and replaced them with younger role players and prospects.

In doing so, Huntington made it relatively clear that 2011 will be another year for evaluation only. If the Pirates are ever going to play competitive baseball again, it likely won’t be until 2012 at the earliest.

I’m not upset by that: 2011 will still be a very important year for the franchise. The team’s talent core will need to continue to develop, and players on the fringe will need to win future roster spots.

Here’s my take on an Opening Day lineup for next year, and on what needs to happen with the current Pirates who don’t fit into medium-term plans.

Hitters

C: Chris Snyder, Erik Kratz
1B: John Bowker/Jeff Clement, Andy LaRoche
2B: Neil Walker
3B: Pedro Alvarez
SS: Pedro Ciriaco, Argenis Diaz
LF: Jose Tabata
CF: Andrew McCutchen, Brandon Moss
RF: Lastings Milledge, Delwyn Young

Pitchers

SP: Paul Maholm, Ross Ohlendorf, Brad Lincoln, James McDonald, free agent
RP: Joel Hanrahan, Evan Meek, free-for-all

Playing time

My roster would include two strict platoons and one timeshare.

One of Bowker or Clement can make the roster, but not both. Whichever left-handed bat contains the most life will start against righties at first base and see the majority of playing time. Andy LaRoche would start against lefties, and serve as Alvarez’s caddy at third.

Milledge and Moss would platoon in right. Moss (or Bowker, with Clement at first?) would start against tough righties, and Milledge would start against lefties and the Jeff Suppans of the world. Moss would serve as McCutchen’s occasional backup in center, with Tabata earning starts there in the event of any prolonged absence from Cutch. Young would be listed as a right fielder, but his real position is switch-hitting versatile bench guy.

Ciriaco and Diaz would split shortshop time in an attempt to determine if either possesses the elite glove needed to compensate for a lack of offense. A Gold Glove-caliber infielder would do wonders for the pitching staff.

The starting rotation might not be awful. I wanted Huntington to go after a Rich Harden or Ben Sheets-type free agent this past offseason to eat some of the innings that inevitably were thrown by Brian Burres, Jeff Karstens, et al. Signing a Jeff Francis, Erik Bedard or Chris Young for 2011 will still allow for plenty of mop-up time for pitchers like Charlie Morton, especially if the free agent is dealt at the deadline.

The bullpen will need some TLC, but we can hope Huntington works magic on the scrap heap again. Hanrahan and Meek have jobs locked down; five other spots are open, and there are internal candidates to fill them. Maybe two free agent relievers will be necessary.

The 40-man roster

There’s still roster fluff, but these five are recognizable names that I don’t need to see more of next year.

Trade: Zach Duke, Ryan Doumit, Garrett Jones
Non-tender: Ronny Cedeno
Waive: Steve Pearce

Doumit and Jones are fine players, just not ones a team like the Pirates should build around. Look at the NL Central’s first basemen: Albert Pujols, Joey Votto, Prince Fielder, Derrek Lee and top prospect Brett Wallace. Jones will struggle to be league average at first or in right. Trade him near his peak value and donate his at-bats to the evaluation project. Bowker won’t be a star, but he might build up enough value to be usable (ditto Clement); the Pirates’ future first baseman currently mans the hot corner (Alvarez, or Anthony Rendon?). Doumit has value in the American League.

Duke should’ve been traded a year ago.

Cedeno is due a raise in arbitration; in a vacuum, there’s nothing wrong with giving that to him, but I’d rather see what the flashy gloves have. Maybe Ciriaco is a sleeper. The prospect mavens had better reports on him than I expected to hear when he was acquired.

Pearce would make for a solid right-handed option of a platoon, but his balky knee is trouble, and all else equal, LaRoche probably has more upside. I’d like to see Andy take another 200 at-bats or so to prove once and for all that he’s not an MLB starter. If he can make it through waivers to Indianapolis, then Pearce can stay in the organization.

Statistics are an important part of baseball, and so players are constantly being evaluated, judged, measured and scrutinized. In July, all the numbers are brought front and center by two events: the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, and the trade deadline. Today, Cory and Alan consider the Pirates’ roster in that context: Who has the star power necessary to serve as the foundation of a winning team, and who would be better off in another uniform? You can play episode No. 7 of Pirate Revolution above or download the show here.

Neil Walker filled a gaping hole when he was promoted from Indianapolis. The entire Pirates organization is weak at second base, and it was a relief when Walker showed up in Pittsburgh. He’s hit enough and played solid defense, and he’s being lumped in with Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez and Jose Tabata as puzzle pieces for a contending team. But is that expectation fair? What are the chances Walker will be starting for the Pirates in 2012?

Andy LaRoche has fizzled; his big league performance has paled in comparison to his minor league pedigree, and he can only be characterized as a disappointment. How can the Pirates give LaRoche an opportunity to recover some of his lost value?

An outfield of McCutchen, Tabata and Lastings Milledge sounds impressive, but so far, it seems woefully short in the power category. Would Garrett Jones be better suited as a right fielder? Can the Pirates squeeze enough production out of their existing outfielders, or do they need to look outside the organization for more help?

On the mound, Zach Duke and Paul Maholm stand out as assets. Does either pitcher have what it takes to help a contender in a playoff push? Should the Pirates hope the lefties will rebound, or are their roles set as nothing more than innings eaters?

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ ship began to sink shortly after the last recording of Pirate Revolution, a Titletahn podcast. Hosts Cory Humes and Alan Smodic return to their microphones today, and in doing so, hope to bail out a team that’s struggled through their early schedule in 2010. You can play episode No. 6 of Pirate Revolution above or download the show here.

A lot has changed since the guys last spoke, as the active roster now boasts a handful of the organization’s top prospects. The show starts out with a discussion of Pedro Alvarez’s arrival at the hot corner: Was the timing right, are our expectations reasonable, and what ever happened with Andy LaRoche entrenching himself at third?

From there, it’s on to Neil Walker and Jose Tabata, two players who didn’t figure to be huge factors heading into the 2010 season. All of a sudden, more seasoned vets are underperforming, and Neal Huntington makes the decision to turn to the farm. Why now?

Brad Lincoln’s career has gotten off to a forgettable start, but Alan holds out hope that he’ll be a solid pro. Meanwhile, Cory mentions another 2006 No. 1 pick, Bryan Morris, who’s now under the control of the black and gold and thriving in the minors. Is either pitcher the ace that the team so desperately needs?

Tony Sanchez’s bad luck, Brock Holt’s bum knee and trade possibilities also get attention. This episode runs approximately 43 minutes. Thanks for listening. Feel free to leave a comment with your feedback.

I’m an unabashed lover of LaRoches. I consider myself to be one of the very first Pirates fans to view Adam LaRoche as Lefty McThump, the much-needed power-hitting first baseman (or outfielder) for the 2007 team. That goes back to five games between the Braves and Bucs in August of 2006, a time when a 26-year-old slugger seemed destined for stardom.

The transition from good to great never happened, and while he’s performing well in the desert for the Diamondbacks in 2010, it’s likely that Adam LaRoche peaked four years ago.

It’s from that perspective that I consider baby brother Andy. Fool me once, shame on me …

But I firmly believe that it’s in the Pirates’ best interests to keep Andy LaRoche as their third baseman for the foreseeable future. By September, you’ll agree with me.

Adam’s time in Pittsburgh was a roller coaster ride, and Andy’s start in black and gold was just as disconcerting. He was billed as a top prospect at a position of need. He arrived as the face of the franchise, Jason Bay, was leaving. And then he hit .152/.227.232 in his first 183 plate appearances.

We hoped at 25 that Andy’s 2009 would be a breakout year. He won the starting job at the hot corner out of spring training. In May, he appeared to be the real deal — .330/.411/.457 in 28 games — but he came crashing down over the course of the summer, bottoming out at a .688 OPS on September 1. He was hitting just .244.

But suddenly, something clicked. He began to hit for contact and for power. He walked. He drove in runs. And by the end of the month, he’d raised his line to .258/.330/.401, good for an OPS+ of 95. Just a tick below average.

On Twitter and here at Titletahn, I’ve often compared Andy LaRoche to Mike Lowell. Two players cast in the same mold: solid defense and on-base skills, enough power to fit the needs of the position, a complementary player on a championship-caliber team. (And as a useless stat of the day: their age-25 seasons were eerily similar.)

Lowell broke out at 26, and — risking being a jinx — LaRoche is breaking out, too. Just 19 games into 2010, I’m ready to commit to Andy at third for the long term. I don’t think he’s going to be a perennial All-Star. But I do expect .280/.340/.460 with 20 homers, 80 ribbies and defensive value into his early 30s.

I tweeted as much last night, and the response was mixed. Most notably, I ran into disagreement with Rocco DeMaro, the esteemed host of Pirates Extra Innings. Our potential lineups for 2011 contain the same nine players, but at different positions.

Rocco is the most forward-thinking member of the media covering the Pirates. He understands the value of scouting and statistics. But I’m fairly certain he’s wrong.

In Rocco’s starting nine, four players wind up at suboptimal positions: Walker in right, Jones at first, LaRoche at second and Alvarez at third.

Jones has played first base throughout his minor-league career, yet in the majors, the advanced defensive metrics (in small samples) consider his defense in right to be stronger than his defense at first.

Walker is learning second base, first base and corner outfield in the minors, and he could fit in right field in Pittsburgh now, I’d imagine. He’s athletic. But given that he’s in Indianapolis and working around the diamond, it would only make sense to have him be the one learning the toughest position. If you’re converting a third baseman to the keystone, make it be the one who has the best environment and opportunity for growth. Start playing Walker at second full-time, like Alan and I suggested entering 2009.

Finally, it comes to Pedro Alvarez. While I do agree with the sentiment that a team shouldn’t intentionally devalue its own assets, I also believe that nothing is more important than ending a streak of losing seasons that’s nearing two decades. The Pirates can finally turn the corner and be competitive. Maybe the playoffs aren’t in the cards in 2011, or even 2012. But meaningful games can be played beyond the trading deadline.

Alvarez can stick at third base, and he’d likely acquit himself well. But as he matures, it seems inevitable that he’ll move to first. It’s a matter of when, according to every scouting report. I envision a Jim Thome-like existence for him, which I’m sure Pirates fans would accept. I don’t enjoy hastening Alvarez’s move down the defensive spectrum, but it’s the best fit for this team going forward.

Andy LaRoche can play a quality defensive third base. I’m assuming he’s the stronger player in the field by a measurable margin. If that’s the case, then when Alvarez moves to first and, presumably, picks it up satisfactorily — you have strong defenders at both corners.

With Jones feeling more comfortable in right, and with Walker having all of 2010 and winter ball to learn second, the Pirates would be optimizing their lineup.

Ryan Ludwick in right. Dan Uggla at second. Jim Thome at first, and Mike Lowell at third. Add in Yadier Molina behind the plate, Marquis Grissom in center and Bernie Williams in left, and all you need is the shortstop and pitching staff.

It’s the top of the 12th inning. You’re deadlocked at five runs. Your opponent, the Milwaukee Brewers, brings in a left-handed pitcher, starter-turned-reliever Manny Parra, known for his decent stuff and lack of control. You have the heart of your batting order due up.

Today’s No. 3 hitter, Andrew McCutchen, is up first—the ideal situation. McCutchen singles. Your cleanup hitter, Garrett Jones, isn’t known for his performance against southpaws. Still, he drops a liner into center field, pushing McCutchen to second. Two on, none out.

Lastings Milledge comes to the plate. You need one run to take the lead, but given your team’s recent pitching performances, it wouldn’t hurt to open the floodgates.

What’s the call?

Milledge went 3 for 5 with one home run against Manny Parra in 2009. In his career, his OPS is 45 points better against left-handed pitching than it is against righties. Your man on-deck, Jeff Clement, has done well in this game and in the series, but his performance on the season as a whole is lacking, and he struggles against lefties.

But if you’re John Russell, you want to bunt.

The absolute best-case scenario has you trading an out and moving two runners up 90 feet. Then, you have a left-on-left duel, needing a fly ball to plate one or a single to plate two. If Clement doesn’t get the ball out of the infield, you have runners on second and third with two out. Ryan Doumit then gets intentionally walked, and you have your pitcher batting—the bench has already been emptied.

The worst-case scenario is what actually occurred. Milledge bunts into a double play, popping out to catcher Greg Zaun, who fires to second to catch McCutchen in no man’s land. Two out, runner on first, rally successfully killed.

The alternative is to let your No. 5 hitter swing away. He’s not slow, and so the risk of grounding into a double play isn’t significant. If he makes an out, the runners may move up, accomplishing your original goal. If it isn’t a productive out, you still have Clement coming up with a runner in scoring position. And to top it all off, the National League’s stolen base leader is on second with a guy who’s 13 for 16 in steals in his career trailing him at first. If need be, you can try to swipe the base anyway.

Of course, there’s always the chance that Milledge does what McCutchen and Jones did before him—and that’s get a hit. Maybe he even draws a walk. But he didn’t have the opportunity to do either in the 12th. The manager took the bat out of his hands.

The Pirates won today, but John Russell’s decision to sacrifice cost them a scoring opportunity late. Luckily, the bullpen held strong and Jones delivered the game-winning RBI in his next plate appearance.

20-0. 100. 36-1. 31-131.

All numbers that point to this being the darkest day in recent Pirates history. A record-breaking shutout loss, eclipsing a standard that stood for a century. A three-game series of absolutely one-sided baseball. A Pythagorean expectation so pessimistic that it’s quite literally unbelievable.

The Milwaukee Brewers won 20-0 today, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates more solidly than any team has since the Philadelphia Phillies posted an 18-0 victory against them on July 11, 1910. It capped off a series that saw the Brewers outscore the Pirates by 35 runs. The Pirates have been outscored 111-54 through 15 games, and that differential indicates that the Pirates would be expected to win at .191 clip this year, all else equal.

It has to get better — mathematically, it really, really has to — but right now, it’s tough to see how.

I’m an unwavering believer in Neal Huntington’s plan. On some nights, I look around the diamond and see budding stars. But on afternoons like today, I look around and see failed potential.

When David Littlefield drafted Daniel Moskos ahead of Matt Wieters in 2007, it was bad. When Jason Bay was traded, or Nate McLouth, or Jack Wilson was traded, the casual fan was understandably upset.

But with the Moskos pick, you knew a change in management was inevitable. With trades made en masse, you knew the farm system would be restocked, even if the returns weren’t realized immediately.

But what now?

Huntington is in place, and he has executed his plan to the best of his ability. There are no significant assets left to sell. For better or worse, the Pirates’ 25-man roster and minor-league depth chart is set.

I know the blowouts will end. I know that while all the Pirates’ up-and-comers won’t pan out, they all — Clement, Cedeno, LaRoche, Milledge, Jones, Morton, Ohlendorf, Meek — won’t fail, either. And the best is yet to come, with McCutchen, Alvarez, Tabata, Marte in black and gold for seasons to come.

But on April 22, 2010, on the receiving end of a 20-run whuppin’, it’s hard not to think about what will happen if these specific players weren’t the right ones to target in transactions.

I’m still a Pirates fan, and I know it’s said to be darkest just before the dawn. But the naysayers have serious ammunition today, and for once, I don’t really feel like trying to mount a defense.

We’ll see how it plays out.

With the NFL draft quickly approaching, Cory Humes and Alan Smodic cranked out another podcast at Titletahn.com. The Pittsburgh Steelers are slated to pick 18th overall, and only the top minds in their war room know which names are on the team’s wish list. The rest of us are left to speculate … and that’s exactly what Cory and Alan are here to do. You can play the episode above or download the show here.

Having traded away Santonio Holmes, it seems as though the Steelers would be interested in adding another talented wide receiver to complement Hines Ward, Mike Wallace and Antwaan Randle El. Alan, a big-time Notre Dame Fighting Irish fan, stays true to his roots and would call Golden Tate’s number. Alan had the opportunity to see Tate thrive during his college career, and he believes the dynamic receiver and returner would be a perfect fit in black and gold.

Cory think the Steelers would be better off targeting Dez Bryant, even if it means moving up in the first round to do it. Then again, Cory feels the Steelers should trade up at every opportunity, spinning their 10 draft picks into a smaller number of elite players who would have a better chance at contributing immediately. Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu aren’t getting any younger, and the Steelers’ window for a championship may be closing more quickly than we realize.

Among other players the guys discuss are Iowa tackle Bryan Bulaga, Oregon running back LaGarrette Blount, Southern Cal safety Taylor Mays and Florida State corner Patrick Robinson. The Steelers need help in the offensive and defensive backfields, and the offensive line has been a question mark for years. Is the 2010 draft the time they’ll find their solution?