Over.500 in 2012?

[KG Erwin]

Ok, guys, back in February I predicted that the Bucs would finish with 70-75 wins in 2011. They won 72. So, for 2012 I'll go out on a limb and will predict that we'll finish over .500. The youngsters are maturing, and the team has made offseason improvements. What do you think?

[BeatEmBucs]

As long as Bedard and Morton are healthy, and that Pedro steps up, and Alex Presley doesn't drop off, the division title is there for the taking, especially with the Cards losing Big Al, and uncertainty in the Brewers with Prince in limbo, and Braun appealing a 50 game suspension. The Bucs showed they have what it takes to win in 2011, now they have to show they can sustain the winning formula all season long and not fade in August and September like last year. I think this is the year they break thru and win 85! It might not be enough for the division title, but it will snap the streak! LETS GO BUCS!

[Matthew C.]

Beltran replacing Jay + Wainwright replacing McClellen/Jackson + playoff 2011 pen replacing April through July bullpen + Furcal replacing mostly Theriot >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Pujols. The Cards will have a better record in 2012 than they did in 2011.

Pujol's 5-7 WAR will not be too hard to replace with the additions of Wainwright and Beltran and any reasonable health whatsoever.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

I hope the Pirates will do better and I never understood how the ownership can be so brutal to thier fans when the Steelers and Penguins seem to keep thier fans happy with winning teams.

I think the Cardinals are gonna be better this year during the regular season. I'm not gonna predict a WS victory for em but they seem to be a top 3 team in the NL even without Pujols. The only thing with them is how much more can Carpenter win and will Wainright pitch well for em because if those guys do well I doubt any team in that division has a chance.

I hate to say it but I almost feel the Pirates had a fluke season and that the team was never really that good but again I dont follow em everyday either. I think they kinda quit over a bad call which put em in a tailspin the rest of the year. I just dont know if they have what it takes to win.

[BeatEmBucs]

Beltran replacing Jay + Wainwright replacing McClellen/Jackson + playoff 2011 pen replacing April through July bullpen + Furcal replacing mostly Theriot >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Pujols. The Cards will have a better record in 2012 than they did in 2011.

I think the Cardinals have a lot of question marks. Can Beltran stay healthy? He had a strong 2011 after injury plagued seasons in 2009-10. Can Wainright be as effective as he was before the Tommy John surgery? Does Furcal still have another good season in that 34 year old body? Which Cardinal bullpen will we see? How will Matheny fare in replacing a managerial legend? Will the pressure of being a defending champion be too much to handle? (I didn't expect the Steelers to miss the playoffs the years after winning their most recent Super Bowls, but they did) The Cards played lights out in September just to get to 90 wins, With all the changes since the end of the World Series, it'll be a tall order for them to surpass 90.

I hope the Pirates will do better and I never understood how the ownership can be so brutal to thier fans when the Steelers and Penguins seem to keep thier fans happy with winning teams.

Big difference is the revenue sharing in those leagues. Without the NFL's revenue-sharing program, the Steelers would be just as "small market" as the Bucs. Thanks to that system, and shrewd player personnel decisions, the Steelers have consistently been Super Bowl contenders. As for hockey, it took a lost season, but they fixed their system and every team is benefiting in some way (possible exception of the Sun Belt teams, who never drew big crowds before the lost season) Baseball's system is flawed, and the big $ teams have opted for labor peace over fixing the system so the Bucs (and Royals,A's,and about 5 other teams) are facing an uphill climb. Shrewd player personnel decisions have not been the strong suit of the Bucs management over the years. In the current system, guys are gonna become marketable commodities, and while the Bucs would like to keep them, they know most are gonna opt for a big payday in free agency so they trade them before that can happen. Jason Bay would be a good example of that, unfortunately the guys they got when they traded Bay to Boston didn't amount to anything. The Bucs have to make sure they're getting good value in their trades. Luckily with the current core (McCutchen,Walker,Tabata) that day won't have to come until 2015.

[BigRon]

Well, the roster's not set yet, so who knows? Based on what they have now, it's very unlikely. Bedards will need to be healthy and good. At least 1 or 2 other pitchers will really have to keep moving forward. Unless Alvarez hits, they won't have nearly enough power. McCutchen's their only young player who clearly has a lot of upside left, unless Alvarez comes through. Hopefully Pressley and/or Tabata will play well- reamins to be seen.

There is some more talent in the Minors (mostly pitching), but it's probably 2- 3 years away.

I want to be optimistic, but I'm not confident that this team will come close to .500, unless many things break right.

[Matthew C.]

Of course injuries are a big if...as they are for all teams. Assuming health for every team, the Cardinals talent level blows the rest of the division away. I do not think the manager makes much difference, especially on a team full of veterans with no real clubhouse problems.

[KG Erwin]

Ok, I never thought I'd see Pirates fans accepting a losing mentality. No, I won't. After the Bucs taking 1st place for a short
time in 2011, you're ready to give up already? This is our year for breaking out. Believe it. I hope I can get a ticket to see them next year.

[Matthew C.]

I hope I can get a ticket to see them next year.

As far as availability; that shouldn't be a problem.

[BeatEmBucs]

As far as availability; that shouldn't be a problem.

Especially since they raised the prices on 75% of the seats at the ballpark for 2012. Sure it's the first increase since 2002, but I say break the losing season streak first, before raising prices.