PIRATES Fans Are Asked to Hope Against Hope

[DODGER DEB]

Pirates Fans might be interested in this article that appears in the NYTimes today. It states that the new Pirates management team are asking their Fans to hope against hope, this season.

Read more.....

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/sports/baseball/24pirates.html?ref=sports

Comments?

c.

[BeatEmBucs]

Rome wasn't built in a day. Here's hoping "Rebuilding VI" will be the one. This team has the ability to go 82-80 this year, but nobody seems to give this team a chance. If the young rotation of Snell,Gorzelanny,Maholm, and Duke (with veteran Matt Morris filling the 5th spot in the rotation) can keep the ball in the yard, there's a chance. As long as each game starts 0-0 there's still a chance. I like the cautious approach the new management is taking, the less expectations are, the better that 500 season (and eventually divison and playoff appearances) will feel.

[Silver Blaze]

As long as each game starts 0-0 there's still a chance.

Nice.

The problem is that the pitching is supposedly the strength of the team, yet they were 3rd-to-last in the NL in ERA last season. If you look at Littlefield's pitching-first strategy, it just hasn't paid off, and so for the past few seasons it really has been a case of you can't let the other team take anything more than a 2-0 lead. Complicating matters is that the pitching was regularly giving up 2 or 3 runs in the first inning.

You never know, stranger things have happened, but I don't see the Pirates having a winning season this year, and I don't believe they can win with the players they have. They need two, if not three, quality upgrades at the very least.

[BeatEmBucs]

Nice.

The problem is that the pitching is supposedly the strength of the team, yet they were 3rd-to-last in the NL in ERA last season. If you look at Littlefield's pitching-first strategy, it just hasn't paid off, and so for the past few seasons it really has been a case of you can't let the other team take anything more than a 2-0 lead. Complicating matters is that the pitching was regularly giving up 2 or 3 runs in the first inning.

You never know, stranger things have happened, but I don't see the Pirates having a winning season this year, and I don't believe they can win with the players they have. They need two, if not three, quality upgrades at the very least.

I wish I had time to break down everything regarding the pitching numbers from last year. I know the (thankfully short) performances of Van Benschoten,Sharpless,McLeary and Bayliss likely jacked up the team ERA a bit, and granted Maholm and Duke had too many "off" games during the season. I know Armas also helped that figure out too. I'm hopeful the youngsters with a year under their belt will pitch better this year, and that the bullpen doesn't have to be pressed into duty before the 7th inning.

As for upgrades....Yeah the Pirates need them, but the ownership isn't likely to spend for the "quick fix" like they were earlier in the streak (see all the 2002 and 2003 signings) What's so frustrating is seeing players show "flashes" of being Major League caliber players, then revert back to mediocrity. Bautista,Paulino, and McLouth seem like the best examples of that. Injuries haven't been good to the Bucs also, either Nady or Doumit can be the everyday RF, but they've spent so much time on the DL, it's left a gap that hasn't been filled. If they can stay healthy, there might be a shot at 82 wins.

[Silver Blaze]

I wish I had time to break down everything regarding the pitching numbers from last year. I know the (thankfully short) performances of Van Benschoten,Sharpless,McLeary and Bayliss likely jacked up the team ERA a bit, and granted Maholm and Duke had too many "off" games during the season. I know Armas also helped that figure out too. I'm hopeful the youngsters with a year under their belt will pitch better this year, and that the bullpen doesn't have to be pressed into duty before the 7th inning.

As for upgrades....Yeah the Pirates need them, but the ownership isn't likely to spend for the "quick fix" like they were earlier in the streak (see all the 2002 and 2003 signings) What's so frustrating is seeing players show "flashes" of being Major League caliber players, then revert back to mediocrity. Bautista,Paulino, and McLouth seem like the best examples of that. Injuries haven't been good to the Bucs also, either Nady or Doumit can be the everyday RF, but they've spent so much time on the DL, it's left a gap that hasn't been filled. If they can stay healthy, there might be a shot at 82 wins.

If you aren't going with good FAs - and the market's been brutal the last couple of years - then prepare for, what, another 3 or 4 years of probable losing, because even if the pitchers do develop, you need hitters to go with them, including a solid option at 3B. You've got to have Huntington nail every top draft pick in this time, and have no setbacks in development.

[BeatEmBucs]

If you aren't going with good FAs - and the market's been brutal the last couple of years - then prepare for, what, another 3 or 4 years of probable losing, because even if the pitchers do develop, you need hitters to go with them, including a solid option at 3B. You've got to have Huntington nail every top draft pick in this time, and have no setbacks in development.

I'm hoping Neil Walker (bucs 2004 #1 pick) will be ready to be the everyday guy at third by 2010, and I know Batista has shown moments, but he hasn't been the "solid" option at 3rd. I'm hoping LaRoche doesn't get off to a slow start, Nady stays healthy, Bay bounces back, Morgan or McLouth establish temselves as "everyday" players, and Jack and Freddy hit near 300. If half of those things happen, the hitting won't be what causes the Bucs to lose.

[Silver Blaze]

I'm hoping Neil Walker (bucs 2004 #1 pick) will be ready to be the everyday guy at third by 2010, and I know Batista has shown moments, but he hasn't been the "solid" option at 3rd. I'm hoping LaRoche doesn't get off to a slow start, Nady stays healthy, Bay bounces back, Morgan or McLouth establish temselves as "everyday" players, and Jack and Freddy hit near 300. If half of those things happen, the hitting won't be what causes the Bucs to lose.

Is Walker fielding better at 3B than he was at C?

[Pere]

...instructors trying to remind players that the team was not always horrible.

[buccofan21]

i liked the article. 82-80 shot at a division title this year? no in 2 or 3 years better chance with McCuthin, Pearce, and Walker. i'm not a superstitious guy but maybe theres a curse on the buccos?

like the Cubs. Maybe we can call it the Sid Beam curse or the bonds curse.

[Pirateeyes45]

Way to build up their team to fans! We're fans, we know OUR job!