This preview has nothing to do with players, coaches, or statistics.
There are plenty of those around from various sources, with varying levels of sarcasm and seriousness. I'm not going to bother.
As most Pirate fans know, the team that takes the field March 31, 2008, in Atlanta to face the Braves is not noticeably different than the one that left the field in Pittsburgh Sept. 30 after falling 6-5 to the St. Louis Cardinals.
I think my fanship has become so detached that I didn't even notice that the aforementioned season-ending loss gave Kip Wells another win against his former team.
I really haven't been paying much attention at all to how Spring Training has unfolded. I catch a headline of how well (or not) one of the Pirate starters did, or which guy who wasn't going to make the team anyway hit a late home run...
I don't take much from Spring Training, anyway. You really can't.
I mean, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays finished 18-8. That's the highest winning percentage in both Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues. Anyone want to put a dollar to my two that Tampa doesn't finish in last place? Or even odds they'll finish worst in the AL? Again?
I revisited last year's Pirate preview at BurghSportsGuys.com (a small-ish, but very intelligent message board for Pittsburgh fans that I highly recommend).
I had a thought that I could almost substitute it for this year's preview.
I'd just tweak a couple of names, make up a couple of far-fetched reasons to be optimistic, pick a few of the many reasons to doubt, and otherwise (somehow), write 2400 words on the subject.
I think my attention, instead, has been focused on the people who run this long-suffering ballclub. And there hasn't been much to watch the past few months. Despite the obvious change in management, the tell-tale item that has remained the same is the ownership.
3 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Erik Hoeke about 1 year ago
I'm cautiously a bit more optimistic about the new front office regime. Huntington has also been dealt a terrible hand with which he must work. But it will be a couple of years minimum before a real contender is on the field.
What bothers me most is the "buzz words" you mentioned, especially with regards to John Russell. Russell has been touted as preaching "fundamentals", "discipline", "a work ethic", and "a change in the losing culture." That sounds exactly the same as what was said when Tracy was hired, as well as when Lloyd was hired. Meanwhile, there is no mention of "situational hitting", "good defense", "throwing to the right base", "winning", or "not sucking." I'll give Russell a chance to prove himself, but right now I have no reason to believe he will make a difference.
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Nathaniel Stoltz about 1 year ago
Huntington is a smart GM, at least so far. He didn't follow in the footsteps of his predecessors by signing mediocre veterans to bad contracts. The key when you're a small-market team (I'm an A's fan, I can relate) is that almost all of your talent has to come from the minors. The only free agents teams like the Pirates can sign are average guys. The key to good team-building, however, is spending the big money on impact talent (both in free agency and the draft) but to get your average players cheaply from either your own or someone else's minor league system. Huntington, by not signing anyone over the winter, shows signs that he understands that. Rather than signing another OK player just to appease the fan base, Huntington (so far) is actually doing the right thing. Whether that will continue is anyone's guess, but you can't fault him yet.
As for your predictions:
The Astros are going for broke this year, so they will try to do anything and everything to win now. They won't win, but they will probably be ahead of the Pirates and Cardinals. Also, the Reds are miles behind the Cubs and Brewers in my opinion. The Rays are waaaaaaaay better than the Orioles; of all your predictions, making the Orioles something besides the worst team in the AL is the surest to be wrong. In fact, many people think the Rays will win 85-90 games this year (I'm thinking closer to 80). I like your AL Central predictions the most.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Devil Rays are officially now just the Rays. With the "Devil" out of their name, they will finish in the top three this year in the AL East - guaranteed.
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