You ask. I answer. It’s time for “Mailing It In,” a weekly Q&A that appears Tuesdays at TribLive.com. Most of the questions come via X, but you can also hit me up at jraystarkey@gmail.com. Let’s gooooooo …
Richard Charles, @RichardC11977: Is it time for Murashov?
Starkey: Well, as I type this, Sergei Murashov is here in Pittsburgh, Dr. Charles. Question is, how badly injured is Stuart Skinner’s eye (he was on the ice a bit at Tuesday’s practice)?
My guess is that Murashov will back up Arturs Silovs on Thursday against the Devils. If the Penguins clinch a playoff spot, Murashov might get a start after that. We’ll see. It would seem to depend largely on Skinner’s health.
As to your question, it’s very likely not Murashov’s time quite yet, but he has a foot in the door — he’s got a job interview, so to speak, and once you get in front of your boss, you have a chance to leave a lasting impression.
If the goaltending falters in a playoff series, the Penguins might well have an option. Murashov is a high-end prospect having a great year at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Matt Murray won two Stanley Cups as a rookie. Johan Hedberg came out of nowhere for an incredible playoff run. Jeff Zatkoff made a memorable playoff start against Henrik Lundqvist. Strange things happen in the playoffs.
Murashov is here and likely has a job interview in front of him. That is step one.
Fanalyst, @BuStA607: Has the constant rotating of goaltenders caused a lack of consistency, and could the Skinner injury possibly help Silovs get in a groove right before the playoffs?
Starkey: Well, the old saying with quarterbacks and goalies, Dr. Fanalyst, is that if you have two, you might not have one. The alternating system has helped more than hurt, I think, and kept either from becoming overexposed.
Justin Belback, @AKAFloyd: What’s the legit ceiling for the Pirates, not just this year, but beyond. Will they continue to build around Griffin and Skenes like this year? Or if they fail to make the playoffs, burn it down like they have in years past? Is this just a one-off for Nutting before the strike?
Starkey: That’s a lot of questions packed into one question, Dr. J.
Ceiling this year? Playoffs.
Ceiling beyond that? Well, beyond that, if they build more around Paul Skenes and Konnor Griffin. There is likely a three-year window or so, assuming they don’t sign Skenes past his initial free-agent years (and that seems like a pretty good assumption).
Burn it down if they don’t make playoffs? I mean, if they win 84 games and miss I’m not sure it’s time to burn it down. The idea now would be to win the Tampa Bay way: replenish at the right times, don’t be afraid to trade good players, have some young stars and keep competing.
A one-off before the expected work stoppage? Let’s put it this way: I am very curious why this year, of all years, the Pirates decided to compete in the offseason. Were they pressured at all from MLB, so that nobody could point to small markets like Pittsburgh and say, “They aren’t trying?”
It’s a legit question.
Josh Howard, @jhow2687: Is this the most quiet it’s been in Steeler land leading up to the draft in over 20 years? Tomlin was at every major pro day, we seemed to know every top 30 visit, who he went to dinner with, who he spoke to. The McCarthy draft prep seems to be quite the opposite and very non-informational.
Starkey: We know about their visits now, too, Dr. Howard, and Mike McCarthy has spoken (just recently at the NFL owners meeting and on Pat McAfee), and just like before, I believe nothing leading up to the draft.
They said nothing about Kenny Pickett before that draft, told people behind the scenes they had no interest, then picked him.
It’s all part of the game.
Chris Hawthorne, @Hawthornee: Joe, is a salary cap the only path to locking up Skenes long term?
Starkey: Yes, and it’s not a very good one. I wrote about it here. I’m just not sure you’re going to see Bob Nutting investing a half-billion dollars in a baseball player.
Dysen Gould, @dysgould_2005: Thoughts on the Ozuna struggles? What are the chances, if this keeps up, they sit him for a little and go Cruz DH/Mangum CF?
Starkey: Let’s hope Marcell Ozuna isn’t one of those aging ballplayers that come to Pittsburgh to collect their last paycheck and poop out, Dr. Gould. We’ve seen that movie before. That would be a disaster and have people wishing Andrew McCutchen were still here.
I do give Ozuna credit for saying he deserved the recent boos he received. That is the anti-Rowdy Tellez approach. Now he needs to hit. And it is very, very early.
Having said that, a nagging hip issue hampered him for most of last season. Let’s hope something like that isn’t surfacing again. He’s just been brutally bad.
Ed Helinski, @MrEd315: Because of the rabid and passionate fan bases in the area, what would you say are the best and worst head coaching/manager jobs within Pittsburgh pro and major college sports?
Starkey: I mean, best and worst could depend on many things, Mr. Ed, starting with the size of one’s paycheck. The best job, therefore, would be Steelers coach. It’s also the one with the most pressure.
Taylor, @Taylor72815844: Better head coaching career — Mike Tomlin or George Seifert?
Starkey: Seifert. He had .648 winning percentage and two Super Bowl wins. Both walked into great situations and won. Seifert won more, in less time.
J, @Crossland895: Good evening Sensei. I realize the draft hasn’t happened yet and we don’t know what Rodgers is going to do, but I’d like you to tell me which one of these three scenarios is the most likely:
1 — The Pirates will win their division.
2 — The Steelers will win at least 11 games.
3 — The Penguins will make it to at least Game 6 of the second round of the playoffs.
Thank you, Joe
Starkey:
1 — Penguins: I’m really starting to think they can make a run.
2 — Pirates: The Brewers just seem to be a machine.
3 — Steelers: The cutoff is 10.
And thank YOU, Dr. 895.
Burghie, @houseofburgh412: The Penguins got younger, the Pirates got younger and are both the two most exciting teams in the city. Meanwhile, the Steelers are being held hostage by a 43-year old QB. Would you agree that the Steelers have the worst outlook when comparing all three pro teams?
Starkey: Yes, because they do not have a long-term answer at the most important position in sports, Dr. 412. That’s a problem. They can fix the roster all they want. They need a quarterback!
Ron Edward, @RonaldEdward24: Who or what position should the Steelers take first round? Is Rodgers going to decide his status before the draft?
Starkey: They should take the best player, Dr. E, and I’m starting to lean toward Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane.
Gman, @nunyabzwax: Are you and Bob singing the national anthem at Austin’s Wiffle ball league opening day?
Starkey: Not planning on it, no, but I am easily bought. Limits will have to pay.
Bubba, @oh_booey: What is going to be the kryptonite of the Pirates?
Starkey: Maybe defense, maybe depth, maybe Ozuna and dead spots in the lineups — but I still think this is a playoff team.
bmac, @BrianMc74245924: Could the Pirates’ defense be the difference between playoffs or not?
Tom Cruise, @Ehunt_19: Would Limits and Callas be better in the outfield than Reynolds and Cruz?
Starkey: Those two questions are related, I think, because the outfield defense is highly questionable. But no, Callas would not be an improvement.
And thank you for asking.