Pittsburgh Pirates: Should They 'Settle' for a Wild-Card Slot?

A wild-card slot isn't the greatest thing in the world. But it would be a lot better than where the Pittsburgh Pirates used to be.

With five playoff teams in each league this year, the two wild-card teams will have a one-game "playoff" to progress. This doubles the chances of winning a wild-card slot but halves the chances of a wild-carder getting into the divisional round.

If the Pirates won a wild-card berth, they would likely have their one-game playoff against the Atlanta Braves, the team that denied them a chance at the World Series in 1992, the last time the Bucs had a winning season.

Whether they came in over or under the Braves wouldn't matter, as along as they came in ahead of the loser of the Dodgers-Giants race in the National League West (and the St. Louis Cardinals in their own division).

The National League Central, normally considered a "weak" division, is actually the most competitive in the major leagues (based on the win-loss percentages of the top two teams). Cincinnati, the division leader, was ranked the No. 1 club in the majors this week by Joel Reuter.

With their record, the Pirates would be the division leaders in the American League Central, as well as the National League West. But they're only second best where they are.

The Pirates are willing to trade if it makes sense past 2012. The deal for Wandy Rodriguez was a clear signal of that.

Winning the divisional championship this year would entail something like "sell the farm for Justin Upton" with no guarantee that they can catch the Reds in 2012. And if they traded Cole and/or Taillon, they'd be hurting themselves for the period 2013-2019.

A wild-card slot appears to be "in the cards" for the Pirates this year. Asking for more is a lot to hope for.