Comments on: Running down the rosters: Pittsburgh Pirates

By: tommikula

tommikula — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:12:20 +0000

Number of wins, 5….. MAYBE!

By: jmc31292

jmc31292 — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:36:37 +0000

If the Pirates make it out of April alive then they could seriously break the .500 mark. The April schedule is absolutely brutal for them. The major key is the rotation, if Morton pitches like he did early last season, and Burnett and Bedard give them 6-7 innings per start at about 3-4 runs, they will be in most games. The one key no one is talking about though is Tabata. He is pretty streaky, and if stays hot then the offense will go.

By: sfbookreviews

sfbookreviews — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 07:37:23 +0000

There was a report this week that have indeed made an attempt. While the number of years is unknown, a Pittsburgh paper reported this:

McCutchen’s camp likes the $51 million deals given to Arizona’s Justin Upton and Cincinnati’s Jay Bruce, two other standout outfielders from the 2005 draft class. The Pirates prefer a package closer to $40 million

By: rhmurphy

rhmurphy — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:32:14 +0000

Barmes and Barajas aren’t complete offensive sinkholes given the standards of their positions. Fringe-average offense (conditional on position) + above average defense = solid secondary players.

I also think Navarro provides a good option at second or third just in case the regulars tank and the Pirates don’t have to climb don’t the depths of awfulness at certain positions as happened last year.

By: hushbrother

hushbrother — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:20:35 +0000

James McDonald could break out. I saw him pitch a few games last year when his stuff was really electric.

Why the Pirates haven’t tried to lock up Andrew McCutchen is a mystery. I think he’s a future MVP.

By: florida76

florida76 — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:18:07 +0000

I would say 74 wins is realistic if the Bucs have the same number of injuries as last year, the hitting doesn’t improve, and the pitching declines. Since the club won 70 last year, 74 would be a disappointment. A good, middle ground figure is 77-78 wins, and 81 isn’t out of the question in the weakened NL Central.

Milwaukee won’t be as good, even with the huge break they caught on a technicality. St. Louis will falter minus Pujols and a newbie manager. Reds are my pick to win the division. Cubs are still stuck in 1908, and Houston will be a non-factor.

By: ridgeavenuehr

ridgeavenuehr — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:33:51 +0000

After comparing this roster with the rosters of the other teams in the NL, I predict the Bucs will have a winning record against Houston.

By: redguy12588

redguy12588 — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:15:06 +0000

This is way more optimistic than I would have thought, and I’m a Pirates fan, I’m predicting 74 wins.