[情報] Sporting News 2009 Pirates preview
Pittsburgh Pirates preview
The Pirates lost 95 games in 2008, finished last in the N.L. Central for the
second consecutive season and had the N.L.'s worst team ERA (5.08). And the
offense wasn't much better, especially after outfielder Xavier Nady was dealt
to the Yankees in late July. With the roster pretty much intact from the end of
last season, Pittsburgh seems to have all of the ingredients for another losing
season.
THREE QUESTIONS
1. Can they get to .500?
Ask catcher Ryan Doumit the biggest question facing the Pirates this season,
and he doesn't hesitate: "Are we going to have another losing season? We've had
16 consecutive." And his answer: "Everybody is a year older, a year better and
guys who had down years last year are looking to make amends." Ending the
majors' longest streak of losing seasons will take a 14-game improvement. That
is unlikely, but the Pirates finally are moving in the right direction. They
signed three core players -- outfielder Nate McLouth, lefthander Paul Maholm
and Doumit -- to extensions in the offseason, they spent big in the draft last
season and they finally are putting resources into the Dominican Republic.
"There's a good feel about this camp. Guys are excited," Doumit said. They've
played well this spring, and when you're the Pirates, winning is a big deal any
time.
2. Just who is this Nate McLouth?
His last name rhymes with "mouth," but the 27-year-old center fielder prefers
to do his talking on the field. He was the Pirates' All-Star in his breakout
2008 season (26 homers, 23 steals, 113 runs scored and a Gold Glove). Not bad
for a guy who went into spring training a year ago just trying to win a
starting job. "He comes to the ballpark ready to go every day," second-year
manager John Russell said. "He works very hard. He was given the opportunity
last year to play every day, and he took full advantage of it." McLouth gives
the Pirates options at the plate (he can lead off or hit third) and in the
field, where he eventually could move to left field to make room for Andrew
McCutchen, the club's first-round pick in 2005.
3. What about the rotation?
When spring training began, only Maholm was guaranteed a spot in the rotation.
You can understand why when you check the other starters' 2008 stats. Maholm
was the only member of Pittsburgh's rotation with an ERA under 4.82. Ian Snell
and Zach Duke have shown enough promise at one time or another to secure their
spots. The last two jobs, however, are up for grabs. Righthander Ross
Ohlendorf, the best of the three pitching prospects the Pirates acquired in the
Nady/Damaso Marte deal with the Yankees, has the best chance of being the No. 4
starter and has boosted his status this spring. Lefty Tom Gorzelanny, who
pitched well in 2007, is coming off a disastrous '08 (6.66 ERA). Virgil
Vazquez, Jeff Karstens and Daniel McCutchen also are in the mix.
PROJECTED LINEUP
1. LF Nyjer Morgan.
Good speed, but his OBP will determine how long he hits first.
2. 2B Freddy Sanchez.
OBP has slipped from a career-best .378 in 2006 to .298 last season.
3. CF Nate McLouth.
Might lead off, but club is better with production in this spot.
4. 1B Adam LaRoche.
Slow starter hit .304 with 14 HRs, 42 RBIs in 49 games after the break.
5. 3B Andy LaRoche.
Younger brother hit only .152 in 49 games after trade from Dodgers.
6. RF Brandon Moss.
Showed promise for Red Sox (.295 average) but struggled after trade (.222).
7. C Ryan Doumit.
Missed time with broken thumb, but had breakout season
(.318, 15 HRs in 116 games).
8. SS Jack Wilson.
Always mentioned in trade rumors; in his ninth season with Pirates.
PROJECTED ROTATION
1. LHP Paul Maholm.
His 3.71 ERA, 31 starts and 206 1/3 innings
were career highs for full season.
2. RHP Ian Snell.
His ERA ballooned from 3.76 to 5.42;
averaged nearly five walks per 9 IP.
3. LHP Zach Duke.
Never has come close to his '05 rookie numbers (8-2, 1.81 ERA).
4. RHP Ross Ohlendorf.
Had a 6.35 ERA in five starts in 2008,
but has pitched well this spring.
5. LHP Tom Gorzelanny.
His 6.66 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in 21 starts jeopardizes his spot.
PROJECTED CLOSER
RHP Matt Capps.
Shoulder problems derailed a promising 2008 season.
GRADES
Offense: C. Thanks goodness for McLouth. Remove his 26 homers and 23 stolen
bases, and the Pirates' weak attack becomes feeble. The hope is that the young
hitters, particularly the LaRoche brothers, start to produce enough to make the
club competitive. They'd better because the lineup that starts the season will
look much like the one that finished 2008.
Pitching: F. No wonder Maholm is the only starter who was assured a spot in the
rotation when spring training began. He was the only one to post an ERA under
4.82 last season. The club finished last in the N.L. in rotation ERA (5.36) and
bullpen ERA (4.66) and brought in no new starters.
Bench: C. Pittsburgh added two productive veterans to come off the bench --
outfielder/first baseman Eric Hinske and infielder Ramon Vazquez -- and also
signed outfielder Craig Monroe. Monroe has had a huge spring, including a
three-homer game.
Manager: C. Russell isn't going to have many spicy quotes for the media, but he
has earned his players' respect because of his straight-shooting ways.
Unfortunately, the deck is stacked against him in terms of talent on the
roster.
Sporting News prediction: Players say the mood in camp is more optimistic than
recent seasons. Is that because it's spring training and every team is hopeful,
or because the club finally is moving in the right direction? Probably some of
both, though the Pirates have a long way to go. Anything other than a
last-place finish in the N.L. Central will be a surprise.
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