Pirates season on the way

By Jeff

We're less than 8 days out from the start of the Pittsburgh Pirates season. Now this blog is usually pretty optimistic for the team prior to each year. Unfortunately, that optimism and excitement is missing this year for me.

First, I just look at the infield and shake my head. Pedro Alvarez took a big step back last year and has struck out something like 13 times in 30 at bats this spring. But there is a bright side, he has about four hits. Spring training numbers mean very little, but these types of numbers can't be ignored. This franchise was very excited about having a legit power hitter in the lineup for the first time since Barry Bonds. Now fans are getting the feeling Alvarez is going to go the route of other Pirates first round busts like Kris Benson, Daniel Moskos and just about every other high pick other than Andrew McCutchen.

The rest of the infield isn't much better. First base has a platoon of two flawed players, Clint Barmes is a small step above Ronny Cedeno and Neil Walker is good, but lacks range on defense.

Second, Rod Barajas and Mike McKenry behind the plate does not excite me much. Barajas' 20-homer potential... OK, 15-homer potential is nice, but he is old and won't play more than 100 games. That leaves around 40 games for McKenry and his complete lack of power and hitting in general. Awesome!

Third, the starting rotation is a question mark. Erik Bedard could be excellent, but he could pitch 6o innings and then his shoulder is destroyed. A.J. Burnett could be good, but then again he could be the Burnett who gave up 30+ home runs last year. James McDonald could be solid, if he ever gets past the fifth inning. Charlie Morton needs to be able to channel Roy Halladay for an entire season rather than three months. Jeff Karstens and his success makes no sense to me. Nothing he does stands out, yet he had a great year last season and has been better this spring. I don't get it. That is a lot of uncertainty and there is still no guy in the rotation that the team can count on to get a win when they need it.

Fourth, the bullpen deceptively stunk last year. Other than Joel Hanrahan, no one was very consistent. At least not in the good way.

Fifth, the outfield actually looks good. McCutchen has a new contract and could hit 30 home runs. Tabata is a bargain and could be great if he's healthy. Alex Presley seems to keep surprising people. We count him out and then he produces at every level. He won't be a star or hit for a lot of power, but he could be solid. Nate McLouth as the fourth outfielder is funny. He tried blaming the Pirates for not diagnosing his eye problems when he was with the Atlanta Braves. He then continued to suck with the Braves and had no excuses. And now he's back! Why? No idea.

So that's the Pirates in a nutshell going into this season. I want to get excited about them. I want to think they can build on last year's 72-win season. But I have to be honest with myself. They were lucky to get that many wins last year. The team had no power, a lousy bullpen, a shallow bench and a below average starting rotation. What they did for almost 4 months defied logic and a step back is very likely for this year.

Sorry. I just went Bob Smizik on all your asses. I'm not proud of it.

The Beatles - Ticket to Ride