The Pittsburgh Pirates made a big show production out of publicizing that other than Paul Maholm,none of the positions in the starting rotation were set in stone such as the case was in 2008.But the result looked like it was pretty much the same with the exception of dropping Tom Gorzelanny to AAA Indianapolis.
Paul Maholm moved from the 4th starter to the staff ace role with an impressive 2008 campaign.
Maholm's 9-9 record with an ERA under 4 led the staff and earned him a three year deal in the off season.
As much as I liked Maholm's season,I would have been a little leery after the signing of Ian Snell to a long term contract in the season before.
Maholm seems to be a safer bet though with his maturity and makeup.
He truly does not have staff ace stuff,but could be maturing into a solid starter...
Ian Snell is locked in at the two after a regression from an excellent 2007.
Snell struggled with not only his control for most of the season,but wasn't throwing as hard as in the past either.
Snell finished the year fairly strong,so all hope is not lost.
Zach Duke will be the Pirates three after another year of the same routine.
Duke has become quite hittable as opponents are able to tee off on Duke,who traditionally owns one of the highest opponent batting average numbers and one of the lowest strikeout to nine inning ratios in the league.
On a good team that fields well,Duke could be an excellent fifth starter.
With the Pirates,he is one of (if not The) worst third starters in the league.
Big Ross Ohlendorf and Jeff Karstens round out the rotation after moving to Pittsburgh from New York in last season's trades.
Ohlendorf throws hard,but has occasional control issues and might be better suited for relief work,but the Pirates are have more than their quota of hard throwing,control plagued righties in the bullpen right now.
The soft tossing Karstens is also more suited to relief work,albeit long to middle relief,but someone needs to be the fifth starter....
Matt Capps returns as the closer after missing almost two months in 2008.
Capps didn't throw as hard last season as in the past,so he compensated with using more off speed pitches than in the past.
Capps seems to be in better shape this season than when he entered last season,so hopefully that can help him avoid the injury issue.
The setup position will likely be by committee with John Grabow from the portside teaming with the pair of Tyler Yates and Craig Hansen sharing the job from the righthanders view.
Grabow had a solid 2008 that had he not pitched in June would have been tremendous.
The Pirates and some fans think that Grabow is far more valuable than he actually is,which feeds constant unrealistic trade rumors,but Grabow is solid enough for the Bucs.
That is more than I can say for Yates or Hansen,who both are testament to the Huntington front offices belief in power arms,even if they don't know where it is going.
Both players could be terrific if they cured their control problems,but Nyjer Morgan would be great if he hit 30 homers and that isn't likely to happen either...
Sean Burnett returns as the long/middle lefty reliever and looks to be as hittable as ever.
Burnett isn't likely to see important action often as the more his fringy stuff is seen,the more likely opponents are to smack him around.
Jesse Chavez finally makes the big squad after three seasons at AAA.
Chavez throws hard and has an interesting motion,but will have to get off to a fast start,as Evan Meek is waiting in the wings as a possible replacement for the smallish Chavez.
Rule V draftee Donald Veal rounds out the staff.
Last season the Bucs tried to keep Evan Meek in the mop up role,but eventually worked out a deal with Tampa to send him to the minors.
Don't look for a similar deal with Veal as the Cubs would likely take the power armed lefty back,so either he stays all here or back to Chi-town.
Veal will likely see action with huge leads or deficits for at least the first month if not longer.
This is one weak staff and without at least a Snell bounce back,could be among the worst in the game.
Back tomorrow to finish the preview with predictions and a few more thoughts.
Will try to be back later with the Devils win in Buffalo!
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