2011 Pittsburgh Pirates Preview

The 2011 Pittsburgh Pirates do not seem to be that much improved over the 2010 Pirates,but they could finish with a better record with a few breaks going their way.
Pittsburgh will have pretty much the same regular lineup that they finished last season with,especially when Chris Snyder comes off the disabled list to catch.
Ryan Doumit will catch most of the games until Snyder returns and Jason Jaramillo will back him up for now.
Trade rumors involving Doumit are still around,but until something happens,Jaramillo will be the odd man out in a few weeks.
Free agent first baseman Lyle Overbay arrives from Toronto as the main offensive addition and will be the starter at first.
Overbay is not finished as a player,but I still think the Pirates could have gotten equal,if not more production from a Steve Pearce/John Bowker platoon and they could have had it at a cheaper price.
Pearce will back Overbay up at first and has begun to work out at third to add versatility to his game.
The remainder of the infield is the same as the one that was the season finisher.
Neil Walker returns at second after a career saving 2010,when it appeared the Pirates were all but ready to give up on him.
Walker is still a work in progress there defensively,but his bat will play well above average there.
Ronny Cedeno continues to start at short in the absence of other options.
Cedeno had his best season last year and it was pretty average offensively along with being maddening with the leather.
Rule 5 selection Josh Rodriguez will see time at second,short and third as the utility infielder.
Pedro Alvarez starts his first full season at third and looks to have the potential of launching 30 or more homers.He had better because this team doesn't strike me as the 78 Red Sox as far as the longball goes.

The outfield features young guns Jose Tabata and Andrew McCutchen in left and center.
Tabata will also be starting his first full major league season after a promising half season.Tabata could hit for more power,but he runs well and the power might develop.
McCutchen is a coming star as he continues to grow into the role.
I think McCutchen makes that leap this season.
Garrett Jones will platoon in right with free agent pickup Matt Diaz.
Jones has struggled with lefties and Diaz murders them,so it could be effective on paper.
I'll reserve judgement though.
John Bowker,who never seems to get a true chance anywhere,is the fifth outfielder.
Bowker is out of options,so the Pirates will lose him,if they try to send him to Indianapolis...

The rotation adds one new member and adds another for an entire season.
Kevin Correia was signed from San Diego and will get the Opening Day start.
I am not too excited about Correia's signing,especially when you figure he was less than stellar last season in the best pitchers park in the game.
Correia did have personal issues to deal with last year and that could have affected his pitching,so I am open to a better year than I expect.
Paul Maholm returns in the two slot as does Ross Ohlendorf in the three.
Both are average and would be better in lesser roles on good teams.
Charlie Morton gets one last chance to harness his stuff and prove himself as more than a 4A pitcher.
The ability is there,the question is will Morton ever be able to show it.
James McDonald and the killer curve rounds out the rotation after being stolen from the Dodgers last season.

The bullpen is righthander dominated as all but one member of the relievers are righties.
Former Oriole prospect Garrett Olson will get plenty of chances to prove himself as the only lefthander available.
Jeff Karstens,Jose Veras and blog favorite Mike Crotta will handle the long and middle relief roles.
Chris Resop and Evan Meek will be setting games up for closer Joel Hanrahan.
Meek is the closer in waiting and Hanrahan could be trade bait at the deadline,if Meek continues to improve.

I don't see where the Pirates have made any huge leaps this offseason,although they could mildly improve.
I look for another season of losses to come and yet another high pick for 2012,but hope is eternal.
I do believe in the plan for the Buccos,it just takes time....

Prediction 64-98

Look for the Indians preview later today.....