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 …
Let’s Talk Pens, @LetsTalkPIT: If you could undo one move each for the Pens, Pirates and Steelers over the last 10 years that you believe sent each team spiraling away from contention, what would they be?
Starkey: Interesting question, Dr. Pens, and I commend you for asking it. And although I’m not sure these moves “sent each team spiraling from contention,” they are the ones I would choose to undo.
I’d start by drafting Lamar Jackson over Terrell Edmunds in 2018 (Jackson went four picks after Edmunds, to a team that plays in Baltimore). I know, I know, the Steelers probably would have ruined Jackson. But still.
Next, I’d keep Jake Guentzel. If the Penguins weren’t going to totally rebuild, they should have just signed him and kept him at age 28.
Now, that trade has undergone several iterations on the Penguins’ end, to the point where last I checked (and somebody will probably correct me here), the major parts of the return look like this:
• Harrison Brunicke
• Tommy Novak
• Ville Koivunen
• The 39th pick in this year’s draft
Not bad, I guess, depending on how Brunicke, Koivunen and this year’s pick turn out — but the Penguins never truly tore it down. They have returned to the playoffs, and wouldn’t Guentzel have looked good in that series against the Flyers?
The best part of that trade, by a million miles, remains Guentzel. He’s only getting better, coming off a career-best season with 88 points. He’s still only 31. Bad trade. I’d undo it.
The Pirates? Well, I’d undo several of their top picks, but mostly I’d take back the Chris Archer trade — not that Tyler Glasnow looked like he was going to flourish here. But, like Guentzel, he is by far the best player from that ill-fated move (the Gerrit Cole trade wasn’t exactly a stroke of genius, either, but the big move there would have been to force Bob Nutting to sign Cole at market value. I’m pretty sure that wasn’t going to happen).
Jay N., @PghSteelers43: Jarred Jones as an eighth inning set-up man or even a closer? At least this year. Great fastball and slider. Your thoughts?
Starkey: I don’t hate the idea, Dr. N, because Jones could be like last year’s Braxton Ashcraft and work his way back in from the bullpen. I don’t disagree that he might profile as a closer someday, either. But he is stretched out to be a starter and still has great potential as a starter and probably should return as a starter.
His return, however, could still bolster the bullpen in the form of Carmen Mlodzinski heading there. Mlodzinski has given up 26 hits and 16 earned runs in his past four starts. He has been OK overall, but Jones should be an upgrade — and Mlodzinski might be better in shorter stints. He averages more than a strikeout per inning.
Bubba Chandler seems to have settled a bit in his past two starts. Let’s hope that keeps going in the right direction.
David Whipkey, @DavidWhipkey5: If Colorado and Carolina collide for the Stanley Cup, should we get a reprise of the Nordiques vs. Whalers in terms of a jersey matchup?
Starkey: By all means we should, Dr. Whipkey — what a great last name! — because those are two classic jerseys. But they are not among the top three NHL jerseys of all-time, because those are …
3 — Anaheim Mighty Ducks throwback
2 — Buffalo Sabres (original jerseys)
1 — Montreal Canadiens (red, home)
My favorite Penguins jerseys are the original powder blues they notably wore for the Winter Classic in Buffalo.
Rit, @ricktactoe: Dr. Josephinion, I hear your point about keeping Malkin for another year and the value he still brings. But isn’t this starting to resemble the current state of the Steelers and their struggle to truly turn the page? Is this team even capable of a deep run?
Starkey: I think both teams should have torn it down and started over, Dr. Rit, but neither did. So yes, their plights are similar. Both are stuck in the mushy middle, it would appear — neither at the bottom, neither with real hope of winning a championship.
I also see the obvious similarity between Aaron Rodgers and Evgeni Malkin — both aging but still effective players — but there are some differences:
1 — Among their peers, Malkin is better at his position (second-line winger) than Rodgers is at his (starting NFL quarterback).
2 — Malkin plays a third of the game, as a second-line winger. That is radically different from being the quarterback of a football team. Rodgers pretty much defines the Steelers and where they go. Malkin does not define the Penguins.
2 — Malkin has spent a career here and become a legend here. Rodgers has been here for five minutes. I’m not saying keep Malkin just for that, but it’s a clear tie-breaker. And he can still play. He led the Penguins in points per game — finishing 22nd in the NHL in that category — and tied for the team lead in playoff goals.
What am I missing here? Why don’t people mention the fact that Malkin did those things this season?
Gooseheimer2023, @gooseheime83054: Greetings Dr. Starkey. Provided either signs a contract for next year, who has a better season, Aaron Rodgers or Evgeni Malkin?
Starkey: Again with Rodgers and Malkin?
OK, I’ll play: Malkin will have the better season, mostly because he doesn’t have 300-pound monsters trying to crush him every time he shoots a puck. Both are injury risks at this point in their lives — and yes, Malkin was injured more this season — but I will also stick with the point that Malkin is better at his position than Rodgers is at his.
Ed Helinski, @MrEd315: Who are you liking for the Stanley Cup finals? And eventual winner?
Starkey: Colorado-Carolina. Colorado wins. You?
Ron Edward, @RonaldEdward24: Hey Joe, have you ever had a hole in one, or been in a foursome that had one?
Starkey: Yes I have, Dr. 24. And as you can see in the photo, it happened on June 18, 2023 at Grande Vista Golf Club in Orlando — hole No. 3, 160 yards.
Here’s the thing: I mis-hit the shot with a 7-iron. It was a low line drive that must have skipped 75 yards. It then disappeared into the hole (though I wasn’t sure at the time).
Here’s the other thing: I was playing by myself and nobody witnessed it! I ran to the hole, saw the ball in there, looked around and nobody was at the tee or watching from anywhere else. I Facetimed Bob Pompeani so he could see the ball in the hole, but how would that prove I actually shot it?
Anyway, I shot it.
It happened.
And I have the plaque forever (even though there were no cameras on the course that could prove it, either).
MatCap, @caputo350: Taking Rodgers off the table, which recent draft QB should they focus on?
Starkey: Drew Allar, and for a simple reason, Dr. 350: He’s the better prospect.
Nolan in New Ken, @nolan_in_NK: Bonjour! Joe, When Limits flew solo on your Friday show, he expressed displeasure that Skowronek had not bequeathed No. 15 to Allar. I believe you may have reprimanded him for this take had you been in studio. Am I accurate, and why or why not? Regards, Dr. New.
Starkey: Yes, I would have reprimanded him, Dr. New. The great Ben Skowronek owes Drew Allar nothing. If Allar wants the number, he has to open his wallet (although, for all I know, he did, and Big Ben refused).
Burke O’Toole, @BurkMan513: Dr. Starkey what order would you rank the best GMs in Pittsburgh based on where each team is today?
Starkey: I never thought this would be the case, but here we go:
1 — Ben Cherington. The Pirates have the best young star core and the best chance to win a championship the soonest.
Tie:
2 — Kyle Dubas. At least the Penguins were somewhat competitive in their playoff appearance, taking the series to the sixth game overtime, and at least he kind of tried to rebuild.
2 — Omar Khan. At least he got an offensive-minded coach who has a talented QB to try to mold, but the Steelers, I fear, are running in place.
Dave, @Dave43947937: How can anybody get so excited over sports anymore when it’s not a game and it’s become a business?
Starkey: That happened like 110 years ago, Dr. 43947937.
But thank you for asking.