Post by joshsbix on Nov 17, 2023 15:23:38 GMT -5
The same proverbial rain clouds that are threatening to push Opening Day to Saturday are forecasted to linger over the Pirates season, an out fo thed the forecast is gloomhttp://www.hoffbl.com/HOFFBL.lg.zipory.
Brian Anderson rejoins the team after being traded by the then Houston Astros for a post season run with the Cubs. He comes back to be the #1 starter for the team in 2008 and the team hopes that his post season experience makes him a stronger pitcher, probably so they can trade him to the cubs again.
2 seasons removed from a World Series championship with the Phillies, Bryan Hebson signed as a FA with the Pirates and will pitch out fo the #2 slot in the rotation. Dontrelle Willis will be the anchor of the rotation at #3 and will be the only returning starter from the 2007 season as everyone has received notice that they could be traded to give life to the farm system. The #5 looked to be a revolving door rotation spot for the season but a late trade with the Braves has the team excited that Darren Dreifort is the right guy to fill it for the season.
The bullpen is looking to be CJ Wilson as the first on notice out of the bullpen, with Lawrence, Mattes, and Capps following him. Mantei and Capps look to handle the setup scenarios with the team waiting patiently for a left hander to be ready from AAA. The team is going to give a look to Oscar Villareal as the Closer to start the year. He struggled a big in the middle innings last year but the team is hoping that he has matured over the course of the offseason and is ready to step into the closer roll.
Things get even more questionable when you start to look at the starting lineup.
#1 CF Darren Erstadt. After relegating Darren Erstadt to a bench position last year, they will look to him to see if he can keep Father Time at bay for just a little long to buy time for Dexter Fowler to be ready.
#2 2B Russ Adams. He could be hitting leadoff if Erstadt fails to produce. As far as speed goes, Adams is the most exciting young hitter on the ML roster for 2008.
#3 1B Melvin Nieves. The 36 yo veteran will start the season on the ML roster bust seems like a prime candidate to be traded at some point.
#4 C Joe Hietpas. Folks, we have a real problem at clean up but Hietpas has become a decent little hitter and the team is hoping he can put together a nice offensive season but are not expecting actual cleanup numbers as we wait for some power to arrive in the next few years.
#5 LF Billy Butler. Billy looks to step into a starting spot in the lineup after being sent to the bench last year. However, he will get another chance to prove himself a starter after the great purge of 2007.
#6 3B Miguel Tejada. He is likely to get a lot of time at SS too but isn't expected to do much offensively.
#7 RF John-Ford Griffin. He is getting a shot because he is a left handed hitter. After that the positive things start to break down faster than a John-Chevy.
#8 SS Omar Infante. Best option defensively at SS. Offensively, not so much.
The Pirates look primed for a 100 loss season.... possibly by August. Let's Go Bucs!
Brian Anderson rejoins the team after being traded by the then Houston Astros for a post season run with the Cubs. He comes back to be the #1 starter for the team in 2008 and the team hopes that his post season experience makes him a stronger pitcher, probably so they can trade him to the cubs again.
2 seasons removed from a World Series championship with the Phillies, Bryan Hebson signed as a FA with the Pirates and will pitch out fo the #2 slot in the rotation. Dontrelle Willis will be the anchor of the rotation at #3 and will be the only returning starter from the 2007 season as everyone has received notice that they could be traded to give life to the farm system. The #5 looked to be a revolving door rotation spot for the season but a late trade with the Braves has the team excited that Darren Dreifort is the right guy to fill it for the season.
The bullpen is looking to be CJ Wilson as the first on notice out of the bullpen, with Lawrence, Mattes, and Capps following him. Mantei and Capps look to handle the setup scenarios with the team waiting patiently for a left hander to be ready from AAA. The team is going to give a look to Oscar Villareal as the Closer to start the year. He struggled a big in the middle innings last year but the team is hoping that he has matured over the course of the offseason and is ready to step into the closer roll.
Things get even more questionable when you start to look at the starting lineup.
#1 CF Darren Erstadt. After relegating Darren Erstadt to a bench position last year, they will look to him to see if he can keep Father Time at bay for just a little long to buy time for Dexter Fowler to be ready.
#2 2B Russ Adams. He could be hitting leadoff if Erstadt fails to produce. As far as speed goes, Adams is the most exciting young hitter on the ML roster for 2008.
#3 1B Melvin Nieves. The 36 yo veteran will start the season on the ML roster bust seems like a prime candidate to be traded at some point.
#4 C Joe Hietpas. Folks, we have a real problem at clean up but Hietpas has become a decent little hitter and the team is hoping he can put together a nice offensive season but are not expecting actual cleanup numbers as we wait for some power to arrive in the next few years.
#5 LF Billy Butler. Billy looks to step into a starting spot in the lineup after being sent to the bench last year. However, he will get another chance to prove himself a starter after the great purge of 2007.
#6 3B Miguel Tejada. He is likely to get a lot of time at SS too but isn't expected to do much offensively.
#7 RF John-Ford Griffin. He is getting a shot because he is a left handed hitter. After that the positive things start to break down faster than a John-Chevy.
#8 SS Omar Infante. Best option defensively at SS. Offensively, not so much.
The Pirates look primed for a 100 loss season.... possibly by August. Let's Go Bucs!
