19 consecutive losing seasons...One of the worst records to claim ownership of in professional sports. As a fan, it's been a long and grueling process to endure such a horrendous streak. However, all of that is about to change. The new management group has effectively changed the culture of the organization and is executing a viable rebuilding process. The Pirates have outspent the rest of MLB over the last 3 drafts and the strong prospect list is something foreign to the organization.
It wasn't long ago that Daniel Moskos was drafted to give the Pirates "hope" to build around (LOLittlefield). Here we are a few years later and we are now counting on Jameson Taillon, Garrett Cole, Luis Heredia, etc. etc. etc. The Pirates are building a deep and talented farm system that will hopefully be providing big league talent in the near future.
But enough of the future...Let's take a look at 2012. The Pirates have lost key players such as Paul Maholm, Ryan Doumit, Jose Veras, and Ronny Cedeno (In that order of importance). However, those players have been replaced by the likes of Rod Barajas, Clint Barmes, Erik Bedard, and Nate McClouth. The Pirates young, inexperienced core is no long inexperienced. Neil Walker, Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez, and Jose Tabata could all have productive seasons and provide the offensive and defensive stability the club needs to continue moving in the right direction.
The pitching staff received a shot in the arm with the addition of Bedard. The organization hopes James McDonald, Charlie Morton, Jeff Karstens, Kevin Correia / Brad Lincoln can all build off of last season and contribute this season.
I hope that the Pirates are willing to make at least one more move that will help the club compete in 2012. For example, what if the Pirates (who have 9 or 10 mil available to spend) would reach out to ---Roy Oswalt? He would be the staff ace and would complement the rotation perfectly and buy time until our future aces are ready for the bigs.
Clint Hurdle is making his mark on this club and I like the direction they are going. This is the year that the Pirates finally have a winning season. I believe they will have 85 - 86 wins, but it won't be good enough to win the division or make the playoffs. They will likely finish 3rd in the NL Central, but that would be a huge improvement over the last......19 years. The 2012 season will turn the organization around and give the city of Pittsburgh optimism for 2013 and beyond.
