The Official 2006 Pittsburgh Pirates Thread

[mjb2124]

Alright Karlos05, LetsgoPitt, MSRoble and the other Pirate fans... I'm not sure any of us have come down from the high our Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers gave us, but since Pitchers/Catchers report tomorrow, I figured it was time for some baseball talk.

Lots of moves in the offseason. We got Sean Casey, Jeromy Burnitz, Damaso Marte, Joe Randa and Roberto Hernandez. We traded Dave Williams and let Jose Mesa, Josh Fogg, Brian Meadows and probably a few others I'm forgetting, walk.

The biggest question this season and the success of this team will rely on the starting pitching. Can Duke and Maholm pitch as well as they did last year? Can Perez and Wells turn the corner and FINALLY harness the excellent stuff they both have? That's going to be interesting to watch play out.

A few other points to consider -

1. Can Duffy really play as well as he did last year? Mclouth is the better prospect, but Duffy sure did look good. There is also some question as to how healthy his torn hamstring really is...

2. How will Mike Gonzalez fair in his first year as closer? He's got the stuff, he's got the cocky makeup, but can he stay grounded?

3. If Eldred tears apart AAA and shows better plate discipline, what will DL do? Will he have the guts to trade Casey? Same could be said for Jose Bautista and Joe Randa. Although I think Bautista needs a full year of AAA before coming up (he did essentially lose a year when he was claimed as a Rule V guy).

4. Tracy. Let's see what he can do with these guys. All the press releases coming out from the players say they really like this guy. A few have even stated they think things are running smoother than they were with Lloyd at the helm.

Here's my ideal lineup to start the season:

1. CF Duffy
2. 3B Randa
3. 1B Casey
4. LF Bay
5. RF Burnitz
6. 2B Castillo
7. C Doumit
8. SS Wilson
9. Pitcher

Randa #2 because he has good plate discipline and Jack Wilson was very good in the #8 spot last year (although the Pirates seem to want him at #2, where he struggled). It also means that Doumit doesn't have to bat in front of the pitcher - which can be hard for any younger player.

3/4/5 is a tossup. Bay could go to #3 since he is our best hitter, but I wanted to split up the lefties - Burnitz and Casey. Casey actually hits LH pitchers very well so it might not be necessary.

The rest of the lineup is pretty much a no brainer IMO.

1. Duke
2. Perez
3. Wells
4. Maholm
5. Burnett/Snell/Santos

I wanted Wells #3 to splitup the lefties and I wanted Perez #2 so that we didn't have back to back similar stuff lefties at the top of the rotation. It's probably better for Duke/Maholm to not be seen by a team 2 days in a row. Mix it up and throw some hard stuff in between.

That's it from me right now.

[Karlos05]

Spring Training already? Weren't we celebrating something last week? Can't we go back to that?

Anyways, I always look forward to some baseball should be another interesting year. Anyone else feeling lucky about number 14?


I think you hit some of the big points already JB. This is the first time I can remember in forever that we know the lineup going into Spring Training. Other than the 5th starter spot there aren't really going to be any big position battle in Bradenton this year.

The goal of course is to hit that magic 82 wins this season, and it depends on a few people. The two with the biggest bullseyes IMO are Kip and Oliver. This team is going to go as far as the pitching staff can take them. The bullpen looks to be above average, with the only real questions being Gonzalez at closer and if Roberto Hernandez can handle another big year at his age. The rotation is another story. If the new pitching coach Jim Colborn can get these two to pitch as their capable then the team can do well.

I'm torn about your lineup joeboo. I like most of it but I still think Jack should start at the 2 hole. He has much better numbers over his career there and I think Randa should be the second option there. The one gapping problem is that like you said I don't want either Castillo or Doumit hitting in front of the pitcher at 8. Not a great place for younger hitters, I'd much rather see them up the lineup somewhere but that's going to be tough to do. I'm going to be interested to see how Tracy works this all out.

Anyways there's a lot to chew on, and a whole season to do it. Lets get ready for some Bucco baseball

[mjb2124]

Feeling lucky about #14? Ehh, not really. I'm optimistic as I always am early in the year, but I still think we'll finish below .500. Too much has to go right and I don't expect Duke/Maholm to put up the type of numbers they put up in a short time last year over an entire season.

As for the lineup.....it's tough. I like Randa at #2 because he makes contact and hits to all fields. Jack does the same, but I also like him at #8 for the reason's I mentioned (mainly that I don't want to see Castillo/Doumit hit 8th). It's definately a tough decision. I think the Pirates will have Jack at #2 though and put Randa at #6 or #7.

It's going to be interesting to see how Tracy handles a lot of things. The lineup for one, how much playing time Craig Wilson gets and a few other issues - Will he have the guts to sit a vet (say Burnitz) if Craig is ripping the cover off the ball and Burnitz is not? Will he stick with Gonzo as the closer if he struggles or will he go to Hernandez or Torres?

It's exciting IMO to see how Tracy handles everything.

[Karlos05]

Having Craig on the bench for long periods of time is still a little tough for me to take. Behind Bay he's probably our second best offensive player and having him sit seems like a waste. He's not a type of player who makes for a great pinch hitter. He K's too much and is way too streaky to come off the bench effectively. I don't know where to put him with the signing or Burnitz, but I hope he still gets a chance to play.

He's probably a prime target to be traded sometime in the season anyways. Right now his trade value is at it's lowest point because of the injury and sub par last year, but I bet he'll get some playing time just to showcase himself. Maybe a package with Marte or another LH reliever later in the season?

[rsox]

The Pirates and the Brewers are going to be two teams to watch in NL this season, i don't think either will contend for the division but both should be in the mix for the Wild Card and give the Cardinals Cubs and Astros fits all season.

Joeboo, i wouldn't worry too much about Gonzalez as the Closer, as you said he's got the stuff, they brought in Roberto Hernandez to help mentor Gonzalez as he learns the role. Even Gonzalez scuffles the Pirates have Hernandez, Damaso Marte and Soloman Torres who can all close and they also have Terry Adams, who if he makes the team has also been a Closer, the Pirates have plenty of options in the bullpen this season.

[Karlos05]

What a good sight.


It's baseball time!!

[mjb2124]

Quote: Originally Posted by rsox

Joeboo, i wouldn't worry too much about Gonzalez as the Closer, as you said he's got the stuff, they brought in Roberto Hernandez to help mentor Gonzalez as he learns the role. Even Gonzalez scuffles the Pirates have Hernandez, Damaso Marte and Soloman Torres who can all close and they also have Terry Adams, who if he makes the team has also been a Closer, the Pirates have plenty of options in the bullpen this season.

Definately. I just hope Gonzalez succeeds as it would be more beneficial for the future of the team. I still see this year as a building year and next year as the year this team needs to take a big stride (such as being in the race for a Wild Card spot).

The other guys you mentioned likely won't be back next year (aside from Torres). I also don't think Terry Adams is going to make it. My guess is Giovanni Carrera. Tracy seems to like him from there days together in LA. Then again, if Adams really pitches well in spring training, who knows? That last bullpen spot is going to be interesting.

[Karlos05]

I've seen some pretty encouraging news about Sean Burnett lately. He was supposed to be out until at least June of July with his surgery but it sounds like he's actually doing very well in Spring training. He's actually in the running for the 5th spot, and not in name only. Breaking from camp with 4 lefties in the rotation may not be the best strategy, but it's nice to see that he's doing so well in his recovery.

[mjb2124]

Yeah Burnett seems to be in good shape right now. It's surprising considering that it usually takes a lot more time to come back from that injury. I had heard that he wouldn't be ready until June, but it appears he's way ahead of schedule.

I'm not sure how I feel about having 4 lefties in the starting rotation. However, when I consider some of the alternatives (Santos, Snell), it might make more sense to go with Burnett. IMO Snell needs a 3rd pitch to survive at the MLB level for any period of time. Santos I know little about, but his past numbers aren't encouraging.

[mjb2124]

Pirates sent Kip Wells to a clot specialist to look at his arm. However, they're just saying it's arm fatigue? Hmm....

http://post-gazette.com/pg/06057/661423.stm

Freddy Sanchez was carted off the field, but they claim he'll be back possibly today.

http://post-gazette.com/pg/06057/661462.stm