Well, their weekend passes and a few more names get tossed around related to signing in Pittsburgh,

and it still has stopped being weird.

I'm going to try to attach as much reality to this as possible.

Note, not skepticism, not cynicism, just actual reality. Believe me, good morning to you. Good.

Monday morning, I'm Dan Kovachovich of D.K. Pittsburgh Sports. This is Daily Shot of Pirates. It comes your way bright and early every weekday.

If you're into football and or hockey, I also offer daily shots of Steelers and Penguins that I hope you'll also

take the time to check out. A few days ago, I was the first to report that the Pirates will be

operating. That means Ben Charrington will be operating with a payroll that the pirates will be operating, that means Ben Charington will be operating,

with a payroll that could max out at 110 million.

Now, as often occurs with news breaks like this, once it's out there, more people are inclined to offer more information.

That's been true forever.

So whereas I told you at the time, I didn't have any more information,

I have since gotten at least the background on what more precisely this might mean.

Starting with the dollar figure itself, no,

Charrington does not have carte blanche to do what he wants to get to 110.

You wouldn't offer him that either.

He has not exactly been responsible with the franchise's money that he has been allotted.

So it goes a little like this.

Let's say he's in the range of 95 million or even closer to 100,

but something comes available, someone comes available,

who can really hit, who can really be a difference maker in the lineup,

maybe through free agency, maybe through a trade.

...