2008 Pittsburgh Pirates

[mjb2124]

Another year of Pirate baseball is upon us and a lot has changed in the front office.

1. New CEO
2. New GM
3. New Manager and staff
4. New Dominican facility

Still the same Ownership group minus Kevin McClatchy and virtually the same roster as last year minus a few bullpen pieces.

The Pirates are looking at their 16th straight losing season which would tie the MLB record for most consecutive losing season. I have little doubt that record won't be tied this year. Not enough talent on the field despite playing in a weak division.

What I am looking forward to is the future. The new group of guys seem to have a plan (which is more than I could say for the past regime). The only question is - When push comes to shove and the Pirates are starting to get competitive, will Nutting really put more money into the team to push them over the top? We'll see...

[tree3five]

good idea starting this thread. actually if they lose 16 staright seasons it wont only be an MLB record it will be a PROFESIONAL SPORT RECORD, lol. but I think a lot of the pirates underachived last year, Bay, Paulino, Jack(before all star break), Duke...any more? I like our rotation and if those guys I mentioned play to their potentiol we could possibly be .500. The bullpen is what scares me. We got rid of our two best righties in Chacon and Torres, so thats the biggest question mark. Shuold be an interseting season, we will probably see some young talent come up like McCutchen, Walker, and Bixler somtime in the year. I cant help but be excited every year for Pirate baseball, I am going to Bradenton in february to watch them workout and catch a game when they play Phillie in Clearwater. LET'S GO BUCS!

[Chief Illinimac]

The Pirates need to be in the playoffs soon. It would be good for baseball. I can't believe I'm saying it, but the losing seasons are starting to bother me, too.

Good luck, Buc fans.

[tree3five]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08023/851633-63.stm

Pirates just signed Jaret Whright to a minor league deal. Maybe he can fill a bullpen spot even thougth hes a starter.

[Karlos05]

They still let this team play in the bigs?

Seriously?


The front office sweep needed to be made. It was overdue and it's not like the change could make them any worse. I do like the hiring of Russell, and the dismissal of Tracy. Jim wore out his welcome, and the refusal of the team to accept the fundamental skills of baserunning and hitting the cutoff were flat-out embarrassing.

The team itself is between a rock and a hardplace. They have talent (Bay, Sanchez, Snell, Gorzelanny, LaRoche from about June on, and Nady for a few good weeks), but they don't have near enough pieces to compete on a daily basis. The minors are almost barren and free agents are out of the question so it's all up the who's there. Can they do it? Bet the farm on "no".

It's only January, so it's interesting to follow the Pirates, but if you take a second to blink they'll already be eliminated.

[LetsGoBucs]

I really like the direction they're going right now. They invested in Latin America with their new facility in the DR. They're talking about needing to build depth in the system through the draft and that they need to do a much better job scouting. Not trading their chips at their low point (Bay, Wilson, etc.). I think they're headed in the right direction.

Of course, this could all change if they draft another relief pitcher in the first round with arm problems

I do think that they will invest when the time is right, but it's not the right time yet. I think the next 3 years will be very important from an organizational standpoint. If after 3 years there is no more hope than there is today, they are in trouble...

[mjb2124]

The Pirates signed 39 year old Hector Carrasco and 30 year old Casey Fossum to minor league deals today.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08024/851879-100.stm

CHAMPIONSHIP!!!

[LetsGoBucs]

Is anyone here going to PirateFest at all? Looks like they're bringing back a lot of old players this year. I'd be interested in hearing some stories...

[tree3five]

Quote: Originally Posted by LetsGoBucs

Is anyone here going to PirateFest at all? Looks like they're bringing back a lot of old players this year. I'd be interested in hearing some stories...

did you go to piratefest?

[LetsGoBucs]

Quote: Originally Posted by tree3five

did you go to piratefest?

No, I live in Boston now and I wasn't around. I was just interested in hearing some stories if anyone on here went.