Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr me harties, we'll be plunderin' no treasure in '07

Conor C :

Pittsburgh : While Pittsburgh have made some very interesting strides offensively this year, their rotation still lacks a real ace that could properly catapult them into competitiveness. Their rotation is so young that it's difficult to see them developing into a dominant force in the next few years. Zach Duke and Paul Maholm both slumped somewhat in their sophomore years. Surely the Pirates won't suffer the indignity of seeing two more quality young starters go the way of Oliver Perez. If both these guys make it back to something like their 2005 form, then thing could get very interesting in the Central.

Ian Snell's addition as a full time rotation member last season seemed to help the Pirates out a lot. He is maybe the jewel in the crown here, possessing all the characteristics of a dominating pitcher in his formative years. High strike outs, decent ERA, and somewhat wild. His fastball perhaps doesn't move as much just yet as it's going to (thus the silly amount of home runs he gave up in '06), but Snell has all the tools. Shawn Chacon remains an inconsistent enigma in the majors, but this season must be make or break for him. Turning closer in Colorado really affected his game (having been an All Star starter the year before). He was awesome in 2005 splitting time between the Rox and the Yankees, but flat out sucked last year between the Yankees and Pittsburgh. If he can step it up once more along with Snell, things could get really exciting. Moreover, Pittsburgh have a rotation that, if it clicks, could be set for years to come. Although he didn't play last season, Sean Burnett should bring up the rear of the quintet, but he will be challenged in Spring Training by a number of new faces around camp.

Offensively you've simply got to hype Jason Bay. This dude has it all when it comes to hitting and will be able to carry a team through a lean spell. This is one advantage that the Pirates have over the Brewers for example. The problem is of course that if Bay suffers an injury, then the Pirates are in serious trouble. The limited Chris Duffy is pencilled in for centre field. Duffy lacks the necessary speed to really own the middle of the outfield. Xavier Nady in right field had a really amazing opening to the 2006 season and is a solid player who will provide average outfield power again.

The infield has promise. Jack Wilson at short is coming into his own with a number of solid seasons offensively. On defense he still needs a little work but he he's more consistent than any number of NL shortstops. José Castillo at second base sacrificed his very good average to hit more home runs last year and much like the wannabe sluggers in Oakland, he may have to address this problem in spring. Castillo also has his worst defensive year last season and it will be interesting to see how he rebounds.

On the corners are two players with great promise. Freddy Sanchez was unbelieveably the NL batting champion last year. He makes alot of contact and is a really exciting player to watch. Defensively he is solid and will also see spells at second base. Adam LaRoche who came over by way of trade from Atlanta is a great pick up. A guy with experience (although he's still young) of being with a winning ball club, and a player very much still on the upward tangent in terms of his ability. He could push close to forty home runs this season based on projections.

Overall this team is exciting and in a division where it may be possible to challenge for the Wild Card, maybe not this year, but cerainly in 2008. I would look to see this club level out at .500-ish for this season and try to improve again.

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Peeeeeeeeeetah says :-

Its quite simple really, one Jason Bay does not a team make. For as gifted a player he is (for a Canadian at least) the rest of the team is at best average with a
whole bullpen full of who, no true leadoff man and cast offs from several teams including the decidedly average Adam LaRoche and Xavier Nady who both had very good spells last year but would you want either batting in the top five of your teams lineup?

It will be interesting to see how Freddy Sanchez progresses but even if he maintains something like the standard of last year, this team can't carry his lack of pop at third and would ideally move him to second and ditch the, at times, laughably poor defensive work of Castillo. He could combine well with the very dependable Jack Wilson who would be a good utility player on a championship team but is a leader on this club.

The only ray of hope does come in the shape of the young rotation with the likes of Paul Maholm, who rebounded excedingly well after a wretched start to last season (he did so well to get his ERA even below 6 after the first couple of months), Zach Duke who looks like he might be settling into a career as a good number two or three in the rotation and John Van Benschoten who has had so many battles with injuries since being lined up as a potential rookie of the year winner three years back.

The real problem for a team looking to build around a team of young starters is that it is imperative that you support them with good work defensively behind them and this is not a good defensive team. Sanchez, Wilson and LaRoche will make the infield a solid one even if they aren't the most rangey group but Bay is the only passable outfielder which doesn't help a strikeout/flyball pitcher like Snell in particular.

All in all this is a team that will do well not to be propping up the whole of the NL. They certainly don't stack up against the Brewers (watch this space for a more detailed explaination) and Harang and Arroyo give the Reds an edge.

The Pirates might be able to hang with teams for 5-6 innings but then the real adventure starts and their lack of options will become painfully obvious.

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Conor says :-

Like I said previusly, getting this team to .500 will be a good position for 'Dim' Tracy (maybe the most tactically inept manager in the league) to be in. Anything more must be considered a bonus in the absence of veteran leadership, established pitching and any real protection for Jason Bay, but good luck to the bucks!!!