On July 21st last season, Pittsburgh was tied with Milwaukee for first place in the NL Central with a 51-45 record. After that day, the Pirates finished 21-45. Forget about missing the playoffs. The Pittsburgh Pirates may for once just like to finish the season .500 or better. The Pirates haven’t made the playoffs since 1992 which, yes, was the last time the team won at least as many games as it lost. If the team fails to break the .500 barrier this season it will be 20 years since the team was able to do so (that’s staggering). Much crazier things have happened, but the Pirates will probably make it 20 straight losing seasons in 2012.

(To see an explanation of 2012 MLB team previews and release dates click here)

On the field the Pirates are led by all-star center fielder Andrew McCutchen who is one of the best all around outfielders in the game right now. McCutchen, 25, is entering the prime of his career and should improve (*). This will be his fourth major league season. The starters for the Pirates are inexperienced for the most part. Six of the eight projected starters have four or fewer years of experience at the big league level. Among those six is right fielder Jose Tabata who many believe has a promising future. The same could have been said about third basemen Pedro Alvarez, a former second overall pick. People are starting to wane on Alvarez as he has not shown much in the majors over two years; the most alarming thing may be his 30% strikeout rate. Alvarez will get another chance this season to show why he was such a highly touted player coming out of college and in the minor leagues. Also entering his fourth major league season is second basemen Neil Walker who should be in line for another year of improvement. So, although the Pirates are mostly young in the field, they do have some players that in one way or another have given observers reason to believe. The two veteran starters on the team were both brought in over the offseason in shortstop Clint Barmes and catcher Rod Barajas. It’s hard to see either player making a huge impact offensively but the Pirates are probably hoping they will bring experience, stability and/or leadership. The starting eight for the Pirates certainly isn’t above average in overall talent but has some players that could have their best year to date in 2012 (**).

(*) This probably means Pittsburgh will end up trading him when he’s due to get paid.

(**) As far as building a team the Pirates are in good shape building up the middle around McCutchen and Walker, the top two position players on the roster.

The Pirates added two veteran arms in the offseason in A.J. Burnett via trade and Erik Bedard via free agency. Both players should benefit from their move to Pittsburgh. Yankees fans and the media seemed to rumble after every poor start from Burnett. A move to Pittsburgh will stop that kind of pressure instantly and he should move right to the top of the rotation. Burnett still has good stuff, is moving to a better pitcher’s park and a much weaker division. These are all positives for Burnett and the Pirates. Bedard was never able to stay healthy while with the Mariners; he was traded at the deadline last season to Boston. If he is able to stay healthy, Bedard should find success with his new team. The remaining three spots in the projected rotation are set to go to Charlie Morton, James McDonald and Jeff Karstens, all returning from 2011. None of these pitchers has proven consistently to be even average as a starter in his career. If Pittsburgh is going to take a step up in 2012 Morton, McDonald, and Karstens are going to have to improve. Kevin Correia will factor into the rotation as well.

The entire projected bullpen returns from 2011. Closer Joel Hanrahan was very good last season but the rest of the bullpen, at best, found mixed results. The bullpen can possibly be average in 2012 but it would be a bit of a stretch if it was one of the better bullpens in the league. If setup reliever Evan Meek is able to return to his 2010 output, that would be a big help.

Last July the Pirates looked like they were in position to make a run at the postseason before everything fell apart. Now, in 2012, the team will look to build off their play from the first half of last season. The team brought in some players that should help it improve. Still, the Pirates face an uphill battle for the playoffs but seem to have made moves that will get the team headed in the right direction (***).

(***) Although I am puzzled by the Barmes move. It’s only a two-year deal but he becomes the second highest paid player on the team after Burnett. In fact, the three highest paid players on the team were acquired in the offseason (Burnett, Barmes, and Bedard). 

Offseason Moves:

Additions:

• A.J. Burnett (RHP) – trade with New York Yankees
• Clint Barmes (MIF) – free agent
• Erik Bedard (LHP) – free agent
• Rod Barajas (C) – free agent
• Casey McGehee (CIF) – trade with Milwaukee Brewers
• Nate McLouth (OF) – free agent
• Yamaico Navarro (IF/OF) – trade with Kansas City Royals

Subtractions:

• Paul Maholm (LHP) – signed with Chicago Cubs
• Derrek Lee (1B) – unsigned
• Ryan Doumit (C/1B/OF) – signed with Minnesota Twins
• Chris Snyder (C) – signed with Houston Astros
• Ryan Ludwick (OF) – signed with Cincinnati Reds
• Ronny Cedeno (SS) – signed with New York Mets
• Brandon Wood (IF) – signed with Colorado Rockies
• Xavier Paul (OF) – designated for assignment
• Jose Veras (RHP) – trade with Milwaukee Brewers
• Ross Ohlendorf (RHP) – signed with Boston Red Sox

Projected Starting Lineup:

1. Jose Tabata – RF

2. Alex Presley – LF

3. Andrew McCutchen – CF

4. Neil Walker – 2B

5. Garrett Jones – 1B

6. Pedro Alvarez – 3B

7. Clint Barmes – SS

8. Rod Barajas – C

Projected Starting Rotation:

1. A.J. Burnett – RH

2. Charlie Morton – RH

3. Erik Bedard – LH

4. James McDonald – RH

5. Jeff Karstens – RH

Projected Bullpen:

• Joel Hanrahan – RH
• Evan Meek – RH
• Jason Grilli – RH
• Chris Resop – RH
• Tony Watson – LH
• Daniel McCutchen – RH
• Kevin Correia – RH

Projected Bench:

• Michael McKenry – C
• Casey McGehee – 1B/3B
• Josh Harrison – IF
• Yamaico Navarro – IF/OF
• Nate McLouth – OF

Variables:

• Younger position players – Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker should both continue to improve but questions linger about Jose Tabata, Pedro Alvarez and other young position players. The Pirates are in desperate need of offensive production.
• Bedard and health – Bedard has had a hard time staying on the field for his career; when he’s healthy he is good
• Rotation outside of Burnett and Bedard – McDonald, Morton, Karstens (and Correia) need to stabilize the rotation for the Pirates to be successful

Fantasy Implications:

• Andrew McCutchen, the team’s best player, is one of fantasy baseball’s best as well. At 25, his production should improve as he contributes both power and speed. He ranks as a top 10 outfielder that will probably go off the board in the late second/early third round.
• The next player to concern yourself with is second basemen Neil Walker. Walker will bat in the middle of the Pirates lineup and may push double-digit home runs and stolen bases. He ranks as a borderline fantasy starter.
• Other than Walker the rest of the Pirates infield does not factor much at all. Barajas (C), Jones (1B), Barmes (SS), and Alvarez (3B) are all outside the top 25 at their positions.
• On the offensive side OF Jose Tabata is the only remaining player that factors at all and he does so slightly. Some think he could break out. Tabata can bring stolen bases at the very least but is borderline “draftable.”
• Erik Bedard and A.J. Burnett are somewhat interesting as sleepers. If Bedard is healthy and Burnett adjusts to his new surroundings they could be rosterable. They may both be on the waiver wire as the season begins.
• Pittsburgh closer Joel Hanrahan was very good last year and is ranked as a top 10 reliever. He along with McCutchen are the only two players that will be owned in every league.