2007 Pittsburgh Pirates Picks & Predictions
May 27, 2008
The Pirates improved dramatically in the second half of 2006 and they are off to a fast start in 2007, but do we really have reason to believe that Pittsburgh is destined for anywhere other than the cellar in the NL Central. My answer is: if not the cellar, the cellar door. I don’t mean to sound down on Pittsburgh as this team is making some moves to try to get better, but unfortunately management isn’t willing to spend enough money to give this team a much needed face lift.
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Pittsburgh’s second half success was partially due to every other team in the Central really struggling. Solid pitching is the key to success and the Pirates just don’t have it. Their starting rotation is made up of two guys who have a chance to excel (Duke and Snell), and three guys who should feel luck to be in the bigs. Pittsburgh’s top four starters only have 134 career major league starts between them to show you just how inexperienced they are. Pittsburgh’s best pitcher last season was south paw closer Mike Gonzalez who was a perfect 24-for-24 in save opportunities. But the Pirates unwisely dealt him away for Adam LaRoche which was not a well thought out move in my opinion. Gonzalez was the other reason why the Pirates were able to improve in the second half of last season. Good closers are not something that every team has. Some teams haven’t had a good closer in years like the Cubs. Pittsburgh let Gonzalez go thinking that Solomon Torres can get the job done. But why not go with a guy who has proven that he can get the job done?
La Roche will be a 30 homerun and 90 RBI guy, but not a game changing MVP caliber player. The Pirates can use another stick, don’t get me wrong, but good pitching is the key to winning games and I’m afraid the Pirates may have given up a good one. The Pirates tried a similar move last season giving up a developing pitcher for Sean Casey. We all know how well that turned out. Until the Pirates focus on pitching and defense, they can bring as many sticks in in as they want and it will make no difference.
As far as backing the Pirates go, don’t do it often. Pittsburgh was just 34-47 at home last season and 30-50 in the National League Central. We’ll look to go against the Pirates bottom three starters (Gorzelanny, Maholm, and Chacon) as they will all have double digit losses. Until Pittsburgh can bring in some more quality starting pitching, we can count on the Pirates sinking to the bottom of the NL Central. I don’t see this team developing enough top prospects in its farm system to get this ship headed in the right direction. I’m afraid the only way out might be to spend some big money, if the Pirates ever want to challenge for the division again.
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