There might not be a better stadium to catch a ballgame than Pittsburgh’s PNC Park.
The sight of Roberto Clemente Bridge suspended over the Allegheny River creates a beautiful backdrop to a ballgame on a warm summer night. The only downside to the stadium might be its main attraction: The Pirates.
With such winning scenery, it really is a shame the Bucs haven’t finished a season over .500 since 1993.
Their 13th consecutive losing season came in 2005 when the Pirates finished 67-95, last place in the NL Central. Manager Lloyd McClendon was given the boot after five long years and quickly replaced by former Dodgers skipper Jim Tracy.
Tracy actually brings a winner’s resume to the Steel City, having led the Dodgers to the NL West title in ‘04. His arrival is like a ray of sunshine to potentially put an end to a gloomy decade (and more) for Pirates fans.
In addition to the leadership change, the Bucs also added some veteran bats to support superstar Jason Bay in the lineup. The leftfielder who won Rookie of the Year in ‘04 led the team in every offensive category but triples in ‘05. To complement him, the Bucs traded for first baseman Sean Casey and signed third baseman Joe Randa and outfielder Jeromy Burnitz.
Casey, Randa, and Burnitz bring veteran balance to a team built on young talent. While Casey and Randa lack serious power, both could bat over .300 and are solid in the field. Burnitz hit 24 homers in ‘05 and will offer solid protection for Bay. The signing of Burnitz will probably force right fielder Craig Wilson (who hit 29 homers in ’04) onto the trading block after an injury-plagued season that saw him play in only 59 games. Wilson’s power would be useful in the Pirates’ lineup, but a true leadoff hitter would make a better fit since the Pirates have no use for a designated hitter.
Jack Wilson, a strong fielder at shortstop who recently signed a contract extension with the team, had a disappointing season offensively in ‘05 after hitting .308 and making the All-Star team in ’04. Second baseman Jose Castillo hit 11 homeruns last season and turns a fantastic double play with Wilson. Humberto Cota will retain duties behind the plate and try to handle the growing pains of a young pitching staff.. Chris Duffy played well in 39 games for the Bucs last season and hit .349. He should start in center field on opening day if the beaning he suffered by the arm of Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling is not serious.
If the Pirates are to buck their losing tendencies in 2006, the supporting cast players will need to combine for a minimum on base percentage of .320. Bay and Burnitz need as many opportunities to send runners home as possible. Hopefully trading Wilson can bring in a leadoff hitter, because the two sluggers alone will not win 81 games for Pittsburgh, who plays St. Louis, Houston, and the Chicago Cubs so frequently.
The Pirates real treasures (besides Bay) lie in their youthful pitching staff, led by three southpaws who could be poised for breakout seasons. Zach Duke, who finished second to Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard last year in National League Rookie of the Year voting, went 8-2 with a 1.81 ERA in the second half. Rookie Paul Maholm went 3-1 in six starts after being called up in late August, and while Oliver Perez was a bit erratic last season (7-5 with an ERA approaching six), he won 12 games and struck out 239 batters in ’04. If Perez returns to ’04 form (which his play in the World Baseball Classic indicates), the front end of the Pittsburgh rotation could be one of the toughest in the National League.
Right-hander Kip Wells will likely be out until the All-Star Break after having surgery to relieve a blood clot on an artery in his pitching arm. His absence, along with the trade of 10-game winner Dave Williams to Cincinnati in the Casey deal, leaves two spots in the Pirates rotation open. Prospect Ian Snell has had a strong spring, throwing three scoreless outings and compiling a 1.38 ERA, and has the right-handed power arm the Pirates need to offset their three young left-handers. Lefties Sean Burnett and Tom Gorzelany, righties Victor Santos and Ryan Vogelsong, and non-roster invitee Brandon Duckworth are also competing for a spot in the rotation.
The Bucs let closer Jose Mesa go during the offseason, opening the door for lefty Mike Gonzalez to take over the job of stopper. If Gonzalez’s numbers and wicked slider don’t translate to the ninth inning (three career saves in four seasons), the Pirates signed veteran Roberto Hernandez (324 career saves) as a backup option. Pittsburgh also features talented middle relief in the arms of righty Soloman Torres and lefty Damaso Marte. An inflamed left shoulder suffered in the WBC will keep Marte’s action limited during the rest of spring training, but he has saved 31 games in his big league career and has a fastball-slider combination similar to that of Gonzalez.
The many moves the Pirates made in the offseason have improved their roster, but each major signing is only for this season. Are the Bucs really trying to play Moneyball, or is this simply the one year ownership puts money behind the team? Whatever their motives, the Pirates can rest assured they will finish the season out of the NL Central cellar. They should be the most improved team in the National League, and Wild Card contention is even possible if their starting pitching lives up to its sky-high potential.
Jonathan Bentz will graduate in May from West Virginia University on the four year plan (don't tell anyone, it'll kill his image). Some might say he's a hustla, others might say he "took dere jobs." He has been a stringer and wire contributor for the Associated Press since 2003, covering WVU and other sports in North Central West Virginia. He loves it when his teams win, and hates it when he watches them and they lose. He bleeds BLUE and GOLD, and wants to be the next Theo Epstein...without the Yale Law degree. You can reach him at jonathan.bentz@atomicsportsmedia.com.
