Post by joshsbix on May 22, 2024 10:43:31 GMT -5
Pittsburgh is ripe with rumors that Kenny Powers has returned from his time away in South America and is ready to lead the Pirates again as the league continues to wonder what happened and how deep the cover up runs. KP hasn't been seen conducting day to day operations for the club for the first time, in quite some time, and the club remains completely mum on what led to, what the team is calling, "The South American Sabbatical". Many fans believe that the team needs to address the story to stop it from leaking into the new season but the club seems sufficiently satisfied to just try to ignore it and put it behind them. Winning would help that endeavor, a lot.
In 2012, Pittsburgh took a step backwards losing 99 games after a 2011 season that had fans believing that breaking .500 would be achievable. The 2013 squad looks similar to the 2012 team, but management is hoping that the team has taken the next step over the off season.
The pitching staff won't look that differently from 2011, except for the addition of LHP Mark Buehrle.
Bronson Arroyo didn't get an offer during the 2012 season but resigned with the Buccos during the FA period. He will look be looking to improve on his 5.40 ERA to be the #1 guy this season. For the Pirates to get into the wildcard spot, Arroyo will have to be a lot better than his 8-18 record from a year ago.
Following Arroyo in the Pirate's 5 man rotation will be, 5th year pitcher, Corey Wade. Wade started 32 games a year ago and finished the season with a 2.95 ERA and a sub 1 WHIP. If Arroyo can find a way to be more consistent, the Pirates will have a dynamic 1-2 punch.
As previously stated, LHP Mark Buerhle will be the #3 pitcher for the foreseeable future, after signing a 4 year deal in FA. He will be looking for the Pirate offense to get him some run support so he can get over the .500 mark for his win/loss total after going 10-12 while playing for Minnesota, the Yankees, and Chicago. Pirate management believe that some stability for the veteran, can help bring about success as well. Buerhle looks to be a purposeful addition to help a bullpen that has been overworked at different times during the last few season. Buehrle ranked 2nd in complete games in 2012 and 9th in 2011.
Number 4 starter, Miguel Ascencio looks to break out in his 5th year as a Pirate. Pittsburgh fans believe that him getting his ERA under 5 could be an important part of the recipe for Pirate success this year. He continues to be a K machine, striking out 249 batters last year, but needs to lower the .318 Opponent Average if he is going to be successful.
The Pirates rotation is rounded out by #5 starter, Zach Kroenke. The 28 yo pitcher said, "I feel good heading into the season. I hope to show management that I belong in the top part of the rotation. I believe we have what it takes to take a WC spot this year." Kroenke has a lot of work to do as he posted the 6th most losses in 2012. Again, a big part of that will be showing improvement in quieting opponents bats after last year's .300 OAVG.
The bullpen, lead by Closer Mike Broadway looks to improve upon the 2012 season and is likely to be the biggest factor to whether the Pirates reach the postseason, or not. Broadway posted 31 saves during the 2012 season, 7th best in the league and a 1.18 ERA. The closing job is clearly his moving forward and the Pirates look to fill in the holes around him.
The 8th inning looks to be set up to be by left handed committee. Zack Britton looks to be the #1 option after rebounding from a terrible 2011 where he posted a 6+ ERA. Andrew Cashner will start the season as the number 2 option but looks to push Britton for the #1 spot as he begins his 2nd season in the Majors. Barnette, Wilson, and Harris will be tasked with trying to bridge the gap between the starters and the 8th inning with Harris and Capps handling mopup duties.
While the bullpen is going to be pivotal in the success of the Pirates, the offense hopes to take the next step after 2012 saw them finishing 9th in average and 6th in HR. Team owner, Jamieson, has expressed interest in seeing BB and SB improving in 2012. "We have way too much speed on this team to be finishing 19th in stolen bases." He continued, "We finished 6th in HR and 9th in average, but we need to finish the season higher than 15th in runs scored if we are going to see success.
Elliot Johnson has been penciled in as the Pirates lead off hitter, once again. While his OBS and AVG wasn't much different, in 2012, compared to 2011 but the 40 stolen base drop off had the Pirate management scratching their heads. When Jamieson talked about the SB and R total, it is likely Johnson that he had in mind.
SS Choo will be on a very short leash as the number 2 hitter this year. His average dropped 100 points from 2011 to 2012 and his OPS collapsed more 218 points. A lot of his success will come back if Johnson can be productive in the leadoff spot to cause mayhem on the basepaths, allowing Choo to take advantage of lapses in pitcher focus.
Mark Trumbo is another bat that fell off a little bit from 2011 to 2012. He hit 35 HR in his rookie campaign but didn't reach 25 in his second year. Fans don't seem to be too concerned and it seems likely that Mark is on the doorstep of a massive breakout year.
Dexter Fowler will start the season as the #4 hitter but if Johnson struggles at 1 or Choo struggles at 2, he could very easily move up in the order. Fowler has shown improvement during his first 3 seasons and, like Trumbo, is looking for the massive breakout year.
John Ford-Griffin earned his spot on the ML roster with a late career talent boost which he has steadily grown into over the last several seasons. Management that 2013 is a pivotal year for him and many fans see him as a dark horse candidate for MVP if the Pirates were to make the playoffs.
The Pirates added a single bat in FA, 1B Craig Brazell, that allowed Trumbo to move back to the outfield, while adding some pop to the bottom of the lineup. Pirate fans hope that the lefty can take advantage of the short right field porch at Roberto Clemente Field.
Suarez, Butler, and Riggans round out the bottom of the lineup. Suarez is still young and has yet to prove fans wrong that said he was called up too early. While he brings the potential for power to the bottom of the lineup, he needs to improve on his .196 avg. If he can get back to his rookie campaign numbers and improve on them, Pirate fans should have plenty to cheer about.
The NL Central looks to be Chicago's to lose as STL goes into total rebuild mode. Pittsburgh hopes to pass the Cards in 2013 while competing for a playoff spot. LET'S GO BUCS!
In 2012, Pittsburgh took a step backwards losing 99 games after a 2011 season that had fans believing that breaking .500 would be achievable. The 2013 squad looks similar to the 2012 team, but management is hoping that the team has taken the next step over the off season.
The pitching staff won't look that differently from 2011, except for the addition of LHP Mark Buehrle.
Bronson Arroyo didn't get an offer during the 2012 season but resigned with the Buccos during the FA period. He will look be looking to improve on his 5.40 ERA to be the #1 guy this season. For the Pirates to get into the wildcard spot, Arroyo will have to be a lot better than his 8-18 record from a year ago.
Following Arroyo in the Pirate's 5 man rotation will be, 5th year pitcher, Corey Wade. Wade started 32 games a year ago and finished the season with a 2.95 ERA and a sub 1 WHIP. If Arroyo can find a way to be more consistent, the Pirates will have a dynamic 1-2 punch.
As previously stated, LHP Mark Buerhle will be the #3 pitcher for the foreseeable future, after signing a 4 year deal in FA. He will be looking for the Pirate offense to get him some run support so he can get over the .500 mark for his win/loss total after going 10-12 while playing for Minnesota, the Yankees, and Chicago. Pirate management believe that some stability for the veteran, can help bring about success as well. Buerhle looks to be a purposeful addition to help a bullpen that has been overworked at different times during the last few season. Buehrle ranked 2nd in complete games in 2012 and 9th in 2011.
Number 4 starter, Miguel Ascencio looks to break out in his 5th year as a Pirate. Pittsburgh fans believe that him getting his ERA under 5 could be an important part of the recipe for Pirate success this year. He continues to be a K machine, striking out 249 batters last year, but needs to lower the .318 Opponent Average if he is going to be successful.
The Pirates rotation is rounded out by #5 starter, Zach Kroenke. The 28 yo pitcher said, "I feel good heading into the season. I hope to show management that I belong in the top part of the rotation. I believe we have what it takes to take a WC spot this year." Kroenke has a lot of work to do as he posted the 6th most losses in 2012. Again, a big part of that will be showing improvement in quieting opponents bats after last year's .300 OAVG.
The bullpen, lead by Closer Mike Broadway looks to improve upon the 2012 season and is likely to be the biggest factor to whether the Pirates reach the postseason, or not. Broadway posted 31 saves during the 2012 season, 7th best in the league and a 1.18 ERA. The closing job is clearly his moving forward and the Pirates look to fill in the holes around him.
The 8th inning looks to be set up to be by left handed committee. Zack Britton looks to be the #1 option after rebounding from a terrible 2011 where he posted a 6+ ERA. Andrew Cashner will start the season as the number 2 option but looks to push Britton for the #1 spot as he begins his 2nd season in the Majors. Barnette, Wilson, and Harris will be tasked with trying to bridge the gap between the starters and the 8th inning with Harris and Capps handling mopup duties.
While the bullpen is going to be pivotal in the success of the Pirates, the offense hopes to take the next step after 2012 saw them finishing 9th in average and 6th in HR. Team owner, Jamieson, has expressed interest in seeing BB and SB improving in 2012. "We have way too much speed on this team to be finishing 19th in stolen bases." He continued, "We finished 6th in HR and 9th in average, but we need to finish the season higher than 15th in runs scored if we are going to see success.
Elliot Johnson has been penciled in as the Pirates lead off hitter, once again. While his OBS and AVG wasn't much different, in 2012, compared to 2011 but the 40 stolen base drop off had the Pirate management scratching their heads. When Jamieson talked about the SB and R total, it is likely Johnson that he had in mind.
SS Choo will be on a very short leash as the number 2 hitter this year. His average dropped 100 points from 2011 to 2012 and his OPS collapsed more 218 points. A lot of his success will come back if Johnson can be productive in the leadoff spot to cause mayhem on the basepaths, allowing Choo to take advantage of lapses in pitcher focus.
Mark Trumbo is another bat that fell off a little bit from 2011 to 2012. He hit 35 HR in his rookie campaign but didn't reach 25 in his second year. Fans don't seem to be too concerned and it seems likely that Mark is on the doorstep of a massive breakout year.
Dexter Fowler will start the season as the #4 hitter but if Johnson struggles at 1 or Choo struggles at 2, he could very easily move up in the order. Fowler has shown improvement during his first 3 seasons and, like Trumbo, is looking for the massive breakout year.
John Ford-Griffin earned his spot on the ML roster with a late career talent boost which he has steadily grown into over the last several seasons. Management that 2013 is a pivotal year for him and many fans see him as a dark horse candidate for MVP if the Pirates were to make the playoffs.
The Pirates added a single bat in FA, 1B Craig Brazell, that allowed Trumbo to move back to the outfield, while adding some pop to the bottom of the lineup. Pirate fans hope that the lefty can take advantage of the short right field porch at Roberto Clemente Field.
Suarez, Butler, and Riggans round out the bottom of the lineup. Suarez is still young and has yet to prove fans wrong that said he was called up too early. While he brings the potential for power to the bottom of the lineup, he needs to improve on his .196 avg. If he can get back to his rookie campaign numbers and improve on them, Pirate fans should have plenty to cheer about.
The NL Central looks to be Chicago's to lose as STL goes into total rebuild mode. Pittsburgh hopes to pass the Cards in 2013 while competing for a playoff spot. LET'S GO BUCS!
