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It is often said that the Pirates lack a “true ace” starting pitcher, someone that can be counted on to shut down an opponent every time out. This is true; they do not have a true number one. However, a team can do pretty well if it employs several middle of the rotation [...]

We found in Part One that the Pirates would have won about 71 games this past season if management stood pat with the roster that began the 2008 season. Today, let’s see how the team would have done if management threw caution to the wind and tossed a mountain of cash into free [...]

Perry Hill will not be returning to the Pirates’ coaching staff in 2010. Hill was under contract for the upcoming season, so he cannot join another team’s staff. This is disappointing news, as he clearly lived up to his reputation as a legendary infield instructor last season. Andy LaRoche, Jack Wilson and [...]

In December, I tried to show that keeping Jason Bay would not have made the Pirates a competitive team in 2009. Looking back, I don’t like the process I used in that analysis. For starters, I used each player’s 2008 production instead of a 2009 projection. I also didn’t project the whole [...]

Dejan Kovacevic capped off the 2009 season with ten steps he feels will improve the team in 2010. I figured I would go through the list and add my two cents. Dejan’s steps are in bold, with my thoughts following each heading.
10. Focus on Pittsburgh.
I agree with this line of thinking to some [...]

I was on hand to watch the 2009 season come to a close for my hometown club and my favorite club. Jeff Karstens vs. Homer Bailey at Great American on a mostly sunny mid-60s October afternoon. It was a great day for baseball.
But I was perturbed almost from the get-go. Luis Cruz and Jason [...]

Joey Votto stroked a two run double and hit a solo homer late in the game as the Reds took advantage of Zach Duke’s control issues to hand Pittsburgh their 98th loss of the year.
Duke went five innings and allowed five runs on six hits and five walks. He walked five hitters and two [...]

Bad news for the Pirates today, courtesy of Dr. James Andrews. Jose Ascanio, acquired in the Tom Gorzelanny/John Grabow trade, underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum. The Pirates have not yet committed to a timetable for his return, but torn labrums are often the downfall of a pitcher’s career.
When [...]

Matt Capps has decided that the best way to bounce back in 2010 is to throw more fastballs.

I’ve tried a lot of different pitches this year, the slider, the change … I’ve had a sinker, too, that runs in on right-handers. But when I’m just myself out there, I’m letting her rip. Just throw [...]