Can hapless Pirates bring to an end a record run of futility?

Depending which generation you belong to, the Pirates bring up images and memories of the greats of the game winning pennants and World Series titles, the likes of Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell. Or, alternatively, a bunch of, let’s be honest, losers. The 2011 season was the 19th consecutive losing season from the Pittsburgh Pirates, a record in the ‘big four’ professional sports in the U.S. Could the tide be about to turn?

There is reason to believe it might just be about to. For the first time since 1992, the Pirates were above the .500 mark at the All-Star break, backed by three All-Stars in Kevin Correia, Andrew McCutchen and Joel Hanrahan, all of whom are still in Pirate gold. A.J. Burnett is a terrific signing, although a facial injury will keep him out of the opening weeks of the season, while the likes of Clint Barmes, Casey McGehee and Rod Barajas give the Pirates a decent looking, and much changed, roster. That’s not to guarantee a winning season, of course, but maybe, just maybe….

IN : Rod Barajas (C – L.A. Dodgers), Clint Barmes (INF – Houston), Erik Bedard (SP – Boston), Brandon Boggs (OF – Milwaukee), A.J. Burnett (SP – N.Y. Yankees), Juan Cruz (RP – Tampa Bay), Nick Evans (INF – N.Y. Mets), Jake Fox (C – Baltimore), Ryota Igarashi (RP – N.Y. Mets), Casey McGehee (INF – Milwaukee), Nate McLouth (OF – Atlanta), Jose Morales (C – Colorado), Yamaico Navarro (INF – Kansas City), Jo-Jo Reyes (SP – Baltimore), Doug Slaten (RP – Washington), Brian Tallett (RP – Toronto), Tim Wood (RP – Texas)

OUT : Jose Ascanio (RP – L.A. Dodgers), Joe Beimel (RP – Texas), Brian Bocock (INF – Toronto), Dusty Brown (C – Texas), Brian Burres (SP – San Francisco), Ronny Cedeno (INF – N.Y. Mets), Pedro Ciriaco (INF – Boston), Ryan Doumit (C – Minnesota), Nelson Figueroa (SP – Toronto), Aaron Heilman (RP – Seattle), Jason Jaramillo (C – Chicago Cubs), Derrek Lee (INF), Ryan Ludwick (OF – Cincinnati), Paul Malholm (SP – Chicago Cubs), Ross Ohlendorf (SP – Boston), Matt Pagnozzi (C – Cleveland), Xavier Paul (OF – Washington), Steve Pearce (INF – Minnesota), Chris Snyder (C – Houston), Aaron Thompson (RP – Minnesota), Jose Veras (RP – Milwaukee), Brandon Wood (INF – Colorado)

Catchers : No fewer than five catchers left the Pittsburgh system in the off-season, with three moving in the opposite direction. 36 year old Rod Barajas is the clear number one heading into the season, however, and Pittsburgh will be the seventh home of his major league career. A .284 hitter with 125 home runs, he is just the man for the job at PNC Park. The back-up job is up for grabs, but Mike McKendry is the only other catcher currently on the roster. He batted .222 in 58 games during his rookie campaign last year. Jose Morales is a one-time hot prospect that will be eager for another shot at the big leagues, he hit .311 for the Twins in their memorable 2009 season, but he hasn’t been able to do much since. Jake Fox is another option. The 29 year old has decent power, with 20 home runs in fewer than 200 career games.

Infielders : The Pirates infield corps is very much like the rest of their roster, some wily veterans arguably on the downside of their careers, mixed in with some talented youngsters. Neil Walker and Garrett Jones were first and third respectively in games played last season for Pittsburgh, and will be vitals cogs once again. Jones proved many scouts wrong with a 21 homer season in 2009 in what was essentially his first real taste of the big leagues, and he has proved a valuable asset ever since. Elsewhere Clint Barmes and Pedro Alvarez are expected to start. Barmes brings plenty of experience, at 33, while Alvarez will have a real fight on his hands for the third base job, having struggled mightily last year. Casey McGehee is his biggest rival. The hefty 29 year old can bring some power, having hit 52 homers in three seasons as a Brewer, and could form a terrific duo with Jones. Chase d’Arnaud and Josh Harrison are two youngsters that will be looking to make a name for themselves, with both having tasted the big leagues for the first time last season. Neither impressed massively, but Harrison performed the better of the two, hitting .272 and stealing four bases. Yamiaco Navarro, Jordy Mercer and Matt Hague are even further behind on the depth chart, but decent Spring Training numbers could soon change that.

Outfielders : All-Star Andrew McCutchen has signed a mega contract in the off-season, unseen by recent Pirates standards, and is the bright new hope for a bright new era in Pittsburgh. The youngster hit 23 homers and stole 23 bases last season, although his .259 AVG was down on the .286 he hit in each of the previous two seasons. Following the departure of numerous experienced outfielders, 29 year old Nate McLouth is the elder statesman of the outfield, having played over 700 games in his MLB career. He rejoins the Pirates from Atlanta and will be the fourth outfielder. Jose Tabata and diminutive lefty Alex Presley are the favourites for the two other outfield spots. The latter hit .298 in 52 games last season, stealing nine bases, while Tabata somewhat struggled, hitting just 21 RBIs in 91 games. Gorkys Hernandez and Starling Marte are a pair of youngsters who are both awaiting their Major League debuts.

Starting Pitchers : There are seven pitchers vying for the five rotation spots, although A.J. Burnett will miss two to three months after a bunting mishap that resulted in a fractured orbital bone. The veteran arrives from the Yankees and will be a vital part when fully fit. Kevin Correia was an All-Star last year, but struggled mightily in the second half of the season and his season finished early due to injury. Jeff Karstens and Charie Morton had great seasons, combining for a 19-19 record and a 3.61 ERA in 334 innings. More of the same will be needed if the Pirates are to break their hoodoo. James McDonald is a returning option, but veteran Erik Bedard could earn the final spot, being the sole lefty with a shot at making the rotation. Brad Lincoln is the seventh and final option, but could also earn a bullpen spot. Jo-Jo Reyes is a non-roster invite, but it would take a miracle for him to earn a big league deal out of Spring Training.

Relief Pitchers : The bullpen wasn’t great, but Joel Hanrahan recorded 40 saves and a 1.83 ERA in 70 appearances last season and will return as the closer. Evan Meek is likely to be the main set-up man, although the vastly experienced Juan Cruz is a non-roster invite that could do the job too. Jason Grilli, Daniel Moskos and Chris Leroux all had sub 3.00 ERA seasons, although the trio combined for only 82 appearances last season. If they are able to reproduce those numbers over a full season, then the Pirates bullpen may not be all that bad. On the other hand, Chris Resop and Daniel McCutchen could do with less pressure being placed on them, having pitched 149 games and over 170 innings. Manager Clint Hurdle will clearly need to find a way to spread the bullpen load. Tony Watson is another lefty with a decent chance of seeing game time, while a slew of non-roster invites include Doug Slaten and Shairon Martes.

PREDICTION : They have some decent players, and a rotation that is perfectly capable of putting in decent, if not breathtaking, performances. A great deal will depend on McCutchen and Jones, while the likes of Jose Tabata and the bullpen will need to really step it up a notch if they are to break the 82 win barrier. It’s possible, but, if I was betting man, I’d bet on losing season number 20 for the Pirates. That being said, they should finish in fourth place, ahead of the Cubs and Astros.