2010 MLB Season Preview: Pittsburgh Pirates

Charlie Klein


Key Additions:

Brendan Donnelly (RP)
Octavio Dotel (RP)
Chris Jackubauskas (SP/RP)
Ronny Cedeno (UTIL)
Akinori Iwamura (2B)
Ryan Church (OF)
Bobby Crosby (SS)

Key Departures:

Jack Wilson (SS)
Freddy Sanchez (2B)
Ian Snell (SP)
Nyjer Morgan (OF)
Adam LaRoche (1B/3B/OF)
Nate McClouth (OF)
Craig Monroe (OF)

Usually when a team undergoes that much turnover from year to year it is not a good thing. Much in the same way that the lowest rungs of the employment structure have the greatest employee turnover, so do the most miserable of the miserable in Major League Baseball. And that special distinction goes to none other than the Pittsburgh Pirates, who could be the worst team in the league this season.

There are a few young interesting players on this squad. Andrew McCutchen took the league by storm last season by being the Mr. Everything for the Pirates. McCutchen hit for a .286 average with 12 HRs and 54 RBIs, and 22 steals in 433 plate appearances. Not bad, especially for a Pirate. Lastings Milledge (aka Thrilledge) played much better in Pittsburgh hitting for a .291 average. Were it not for Garrett Jones, the Pirates could have the first all dread lock outfield in the majors. Dread lock night? Just throwing that one out there for the Pirates promotional staff....

Aside from those two there is not much to talk about with this squad. The rotation is awful and its best starters are too inconsistent. Kevin Hart, the current number five starter, went 1-8 with the Pirates last season with an ERA over six. Paul Maholm was decent for the Pirates going 8-9 with a 4.44 ERA. But when the "ace" of the staff has an ERA over four, it's pretty easy to dismiss that team as a contender in 2010.

And on that note, I will conclude by saying that if the Pirates manage not to trade their talent away this season that in and of itself will be cause for celebration at PNC Park.

Projected Starting Nine:

1. Akinori Iwamura (2B)
2. Lastings Milledge (LF)
3. Andrew McCutchen (CF)
4. Garrett Jones (RF)
5. Ryan Doumit (C)
6. Andy LaRoche (3B)
7. Jeff Clement (1B)
8. Ronny Cedeno (SS)
9. Pat Maholm (P)

Projected Starting Rotation:

1. Paul Maholm
2. Ross Ohlendorf
3. Zach Duke
4. Charlie Morton
5. Kevin Hart

Predicted Finish: Sixth in the NL Central