explanation of rankings and other team previews here
2008 Record: 67-95
Offseason Additions: Eric Hinske, Ramon Vasquez
Offseason Subtractions: Jason Michaels
Ranks (MLB):
Line-Up - 28th
Rotation - 27th
Bullpen - 22nd
Defense - 4th tier (out of 5)
Baserunning - 3rd tier (out of 5)
KEY PLAYER: IAN SNELL
Last year, it looked like the Pirates would actually have a good 1-2 punch with Ian Snell (3.76 ERA in 2007) and Tom Gorzelanny (3.88 ERA in 2007) leading their staff. However, in typical Pirates fashion, both completely tanked in 2008, putting up ERA’s of 5.42 and 6.66 respectively. Snell has the best chance of bouncing back this season (Gorzelanny may be in Adam Eaton territory) and potentially giving the Bucs a decent 1-2 punch with him and tough lefty Paul Malholm. Snell is still only 27 and had great stuff in the past. Hopefully he doesn’t have an arm problem and can bounce back.
PLAYER TO WATCH: PEDRO ALVAREZ
There are several reasons why the Pirates haven’t had a winning season since 1992, not the least of which has been their horrible use of their high round picks, mostly because they don’t want to pay big bonuses to draft picks. Let’s look at their recent drafts… 1999 (Bobby Bradley over Ben Sheets), 2002 (Bryan Bullington over B.J. Upton and Prince Fielder), 2004 (Neil Walker over Jered Weaver), 2005 (Andrew McCutchen over Jay Bruce), 2006 (Brad Lincoln over Clayton Kershaw) and 2007 (Daniel Moskos over Matt Wieters). However, in 2008 they bucked that trend, taking the best player available in 3B Pedro Alvarez. Alvarez made himself look like a total jerk during their dramatic contract negotiations, but he is the best prospect the Pirates have had in a long time, and could make it to the majors as soon as September.
PHILLY ANGLE
Where’s the Rivalry?
It seems as though, with us being in the same state, and the same league, the Phillies and Pirates should have a rivalry similar to that of the Penguins and Flyers. There was a rivalry between the two teams in the 70’s, but whether it’s the Pirates sucking, or the decreased number of games outside one’s own division, there is no emotional response by Phillies fans when the Pirates come to town. I’m all about having more rivalries, it’s gives the season different layers. Obviously, I want to win the division, but I also look at head-to-head W-L’s against the Mets and Marlins. It would be nice to get the Keystone State rivalry revved up again, but first, the Pirates are going to have to field themselves a competitive team.
QUICK HITS
Worst Contract: Jack Wilson (3 yrs, $20 million, ends in 2009)
Best Pitch: Ian Snell’s Slider
Best Player in a Contract Year: Adam LaRoche
Top Prospect: Pedro Alvarez, 3B
Best Individual Season: Barry Bonds, 1992 (.311, 34 HR, 103 RBI, 39 SB, 36 2B, .456 OBP, .624 SLG%, 1.080 OPS, MVP)
Worst Uniforms: 1940
Where’d They Come From?
- Draft, 9
- Trade, 5
- Free Agent, 0
- Amateur FA, 0
2009 OUTLOOK
6th NL Central, 15th NL, 29th MLB
The Pirates have little hope. They don’t draft well and they don’t sign free agents. As a result, they haven’t come remotely close to a winning season in 16 seasons. I don’t imagine this season is going to be any different. They are going to need a couple great drafts in a row and a couple good trades for them to be even remotely relevant again. I honestly feel bad for the fans of Pittsburgh. Most baseball fans think that their team is pinching pennies and that their ownership is clueless. In Pittsburgh, it’s been evident for almost 2 decades, and they rarely even have a player worth the price of admission. Hopefully, for their sake, they can turn it around.
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Pirates suck. That is all.
Haha, nice post Stu. If Pete would have written that for his preview I don’t think anyone would have criticized him.
Pete, you are WAY off on the ugliest unis:
http://www.fsu.edu/~crimdo/images/pirates/tekulve.jpg
Nice picture selection, Pete. First bridge to stadium angle I’ve seen. Usually shown other way around.
For team’s best individual season, I’ll take Stargell ‘73 over Bonds ‘92:
WS .299/43 D/3 T/43 HR/119 RBI/.392 OBP/.646 Slugging/TB 337
BB .311/36 D/ 5 T/34 HR/103 RBI/.456 OBP/.624 Slugging/TB 295
“Pops” was runner-up to Torre for MVP. ‘71 numbers were mighty too, yet not quite as impressive across the board; better HR & RBI totals (48 & 125). The man in his prime was fearsome at plate, and a ”big shoulders” leader.
Sad, that Pirates have become a boutique franchise in NL. Hope they rise again. Would be good for baseball. McKechnie Stadium in Bradenton is a good place to catch a game … nothin’ fancy, up close, baseball as it used to be.
jjg-
JJG.…I second Pete. Good call on Stargell. There’s someone for Ryan Howard to emulate.
Pete…I’m with you about the in-state rivalry. You’re too young to remember all the battles we had back in the 70s against Stargell, Parker, Garner, Madlock, Moreno, Candelaria, Blyleven, Tekulve, and the rest. Great games. I really miss that.
gargs-
gargs-
Pete, Liked the Bobby Bonds tie-in. Not often does a son outdo a “big shoes” father like Barry - Willie May’s godson - did. Brett and Bobby Hull, maybe another case.
bski, Stargell, the perfect role model for “uncasualizing” Howard approach.