Pirates Optimism Thread.

[Jake]

Here's a reason to optimistic...

 

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/51-03092006-623911.html

 

An improved approach is nothing to be ashamed of.

 

Cool. FWIW, I'm pretty sure this article originated in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

[JudasIscariotTheBird]

"The collapse of Derek Lee in the second half of last year has been well documented. If Aramis Ramirez can stay healty all year behind him, and Juan Pierre can consistently get on in front of him, we can expect Derrek Lee to avoid slumps a bit better in 2006. Just don’t expect him to come out of the gate like last year, either.

 

Edge: Even"

 

WHA!?! Collapse? It was also well documented that Neifi saved this team last year.

 

I do hope that Aramis remains healty, though.

 

 

HORRID article.

[Tim]

DLee Pre-Allstar: .378/.452/.733

DLee PostAllstar: .287/.380/.581

 

Not exactly a collapse, but that's a pretty darned significant drop in production. A .960 OPS is nothing to sneeze at, but it is a far cry from what he did in the first half.

[UK1679666180]

DLee Pre-Allstar: .378/.452/.733

DLee PostAllstar: .287/.380/.581

 

Not exactly a collapse, but that's a pretty darned significant drop in production. A .960 OPS is nothing to sneeze at, but it is a far cry from what he did in the first half.

 

I think that .960 is on par for what he'll produce this year.

[Guest]

DLee Pre-Allstar: .378/.452/.733

DLee PostAllstar: .287/.380/.581

 

Not exactly a collapse, but that's a pretty darned significant drop in production. A .960 OPS is nothing to sneeze at, but it is a far cry from what he did in the first half.

 

I think that .960 is on par for what he'll produce this year.

Yeah, I think that's much closer than what his overall numbers looked like. My concern is that the .960 might even be a bit optimistic when looking at his overall career numbers. It's like Cards fans expecting the Rolen of 2004 to show up this year.

[UK1679666180]

It might be, even when adjusting his Florida stats, they don't match up with a .960 OPS.

 

Hopefully, the jump can attributed to an improved swing (more open stance) rather flukish hot 2nd half. (Obviously he was hotter in the 1st half, but I can't see him repeating)

[Jake]

DLee hitting .287 for a whole year is certainly an optimistic sign for the Pirates! :D

[Jake]

4 of our five spots in the rotation are set. Two rookies, an almost rookie and Ollie. The second spot is down to a battle between Brandon Duckworth and Victor Santos.

 

The Rotation:

1 Ollie

2 Duckworth or Santos

3 Duke

4 Snell

5 Maholom

 

 

Ollie, Duke, Snell, Mahlom are all 24 or younger.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

4 of our five spots in the rotation are set. Two rookies, an almost rookie and Ollie. The second spot is down to a battle between Brandon Duckworth and Victor Santos.

 

The Rotation:

1 Ollie

2 Duckworth or Santos

3 Duke

4 Snell

5 Maholom

 

 

Ollie, Duke, Snell, Mahlom are all 24 or younger.

 

Any word on how S.Burnett is recovering from his injury? There rotation has the potential to be very good in the future. Also, when is O.Perez eligible for FA?

[Derwood]

I think a winning record with an ERA under 4.00 is a somewhat reasonable expectation for Duke. No way he has a 1.80 ERA over 30+ starts

[Jake]

I think a winning record with an ERA under 4.00 is a somewhat reasonable expectation for Duke. No way he has a 1.80 ERA over 30+ starts

I agree with this.

 

Any word on how S.Burnett is recovering from his injury? There rotation has the potential to be very good in the future. Also, when is O.Perez eligible for FA?

Burnett is recoviering quite nicely. When they sent him down, they guestimated a June return. I think, if her were older, they'd have kept him on the roster. But, they thought he'd be able to get some more innings in @ AAA and build more arm strength.

 

Ollie just had his first year of Arbitration.

 

There is a ton of potential. And, not just in the rotation. We have the aforementioned Burnett and Tom Gorzelany. Gorz is about 1/2 season away from being ready.

 

And, Bullington and Van B coming off injuries. These two are anybodys guess. Bullington had lost a lot of velocity. Will the surgery restore it? And, Van B has had two major surgeries. How will he come out of it?

 

Lots of potential. Lots....

[Jake]

A buddy of mine just came back from spring training. He described Joe Randa as the second coming of Chris Stynes.

 

Ouch.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

It appears that John Van Benschoten has hit a set-back.

 

Link.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Van Ben > Prior

[SouthSideRyan]

Van Ben > Prior

 

Prior's gonna be named as that PTBNL any day now.

[Jake]

It appears that John Van Benschoten has hit a set-back.

 

Link.

Saw that this morning. Honestly? If this happened a month from now, I'd worry. But, I'm not sure he was supposed to be ready to throw yet. Let's see what happens next week.

[Jake]

Van Ben > Prior

Fortunately, we won't have to Trade Van B for Prior for four more years.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Van Ben > Prior

 

Prior's gonna be named as that PTBNL any day now.

 

Or Kelton, doesn't matter which.