"In the 24 years that I have covered the major leagues, fans have consistently asked me three questions: 1. Can you get me autographs? 2. Can you get me free tickets? 3. Does it bother you that the players make so much money?

My answer to all three has always been 'no.'

It's unprofessional for a reporter to ask a player for an autograph, it is unethical for a media member to accept free tickets and if sports writers were offered multimillion dollar contracts, I'd sign up for one.

I've made a special exception to my stock answer for question No. 3 in the case of Scott Olsen, the left-hander who was released by the Pirates last Saturday.

The Pirates signed Olsen for a guaranteed $450,000 last December with the idea that he would be strong contender to win a roster spot at the back end of their rotation. Even though Olsen was a combined 6-12 with a 5.76 ERA in 28 games, 26 starts, with Washington in 2009 and 2010, it seemed a worthwhile gamble.

The Pirates were guaranteeing him just $36,000 over the major-league minimum salary of $414,000 and the 27-year-old had showed flashes of brilliance during his four seasons with Florida from 2005-08.

However, there were also warning signs that Olsen could create problems.

During his time with the Marlins, Olsen received a black eye as the result of a late-night scuffle with a teammate, had well-documents dugout blowups with managers Joe Girardi and Fredi Gonzalez, and was arrested during 2007 for driving under the influence, resisting arrest with violence and fleeing and eluding a police officer. Then there was Olsen's chain smoking, which he never tried to hide."