Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. | Ballpark: PNC Park (38,362) | Spring Training: Bradenton, Fla.
Principal Owner: Bob Nutting | CEO: Frank Coonelly | GM: Neal Huntington | Manager: John Russell | World Championships: 5
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POWER RANKINGS
Power Rankings
Date
Ranking
Previous
07/07/2009
22
22
I can't believe I'm about to type the following words, but the Pirates are kinda smart nowadays. The deal for Lastings Milledge isn't unlike the one that netted them judgment-impaired prospect Jose Tabata: they're assuming another team's high-ceiling headache, and at negligible cost to boot. They probably won't get much for Freddy Sanchez, Jack Wilson or Adam LaRoche -- all three come with contracts that most teams will find difficult to absorb, even for only a few months -- but the idea here is to turn the page. Bully for them.
06/30/2009
22
23
You know how most teams have a logo/marketing motif stamped on their official website, like how the Jays have "you belong at the game" or the Nationals have "what we do qualifies as baseball, at least in a technical sense"? I'm thinking the Pirates should replace "Pride. Passion. Pittsburgh Pirates" with "Better than you think!" or perhaps "Not that awful!"? ... Seriously, though: This team's got some spring in its step. Who knows how they'll respond after the inevitable next veteran trade/salary dump, but for now they're a tougher out than several teams with more talent.
06/23/2009
23
22
I get it: Ross Ohlendorf is smarter than we are. Until he figures out how to apply that intelligence on a major league mound, however, I'm not interested ... It's no coincidence that the Pirates made Craig Monroe disappear a few days after he didn't bother to run out a strikeout that got away from the catcher. That's a good sign, that somebody here is finally demanding accountability after 12 years of benign neglect.
06/16/2009
22
25
They seemed to enjoy themselves on Sunday, forming a conga line as Dontrelle Willis walked them around the bases. Indeed, it was hot, hot, hot ... "Zach Duke, All-Star" doesn't flow off the tongue as naturally as "Zach Duke, unrepentant foofballer," but he has to be considered for the token Pirates spot ... They're still trying like hell to deal Jack Wilson. But who can afford to take on $5 million, even if it comes attached to a virtuous man of spirit true?
06/09/2009
25
26
How about that letter that Pirates ownership sent to fans in the throes of despair over the Nate McLouth trade? Rather than the "we're trying really hard, so don't say mean things, which can be very hurtful" thrust of the missive, I'd have gone with something along the lines of "Stop crying, you big babies. The stadium kicks ass and a bad night at the ballpark is still better than a great one watching So You Think You Can Dance. Show up, or don't. It's all the same to us. P.S. We have a clue now." ... My problem with the McLouth deal isn't that they dealt the guy, because the team ought to be commended for selling high on a player who may or may not be much better than a fourth outfielder. My problem is that the return was centered around Gorkys Hernandez -- a fleet centerfielder, just like Andrew McCutchen, the 11-tool prospect immediately installed as McLouth's replacement. At some point, the Pirates have to stop trading stars for organizational flotsam like Jeff Karstens and start demanding higher-ceiling players in return.
06/02/2009
26
19
How about that accurate-from-300-yards hot dog cannon that was deployed during the Pirates/Astros game on Sunday, eh? For Pirates diehards, I would imagine that any diversion is a good one. ... The statheads are doing a happy "I told you so!" jig about Andy LaRoche, who has been a fine player since his slow start. ... Matt Capps is throwing well again, but I'm still waiting on an apology for the destruction he delivered upon my roto team ERA in May.
05/26/2009
19
24
I'm turning around on them a bit. Baseball's best bad team? Discuss ... If Matt Capps' elbow somehow survived that line drive without breaking, I'm going to have to insist that we test him for calcium supplements ... Three of their next four series are against the gimp-limbed Cubs and the Astros. Dare I say the Pirates could be a .500 team before long? I dare!
05/19/2009
24
28
A four-game set in May between the Pirates and Nationals? It just doesn't get any better than this, kids. Pop open a Coors Light, order a Papa John's pie and get some Matchbox Twenty on the stereo, and enjoy the majesty that is National League baseball in 2009.
05/12/2009
28
23
Told you so told you so told you so nyah nyah nyah ... It's curious how the "teams that improve on defense improve in the standings" thing only gets mentioned when those teams are hovering in the vicinity of .500. When the hitting and relief pitching is this profoundly incompetent, the improved glovework tends to be irrelevant.
05/05/2009
23
22
I trust I won't be receiving quite as many warm "you ranked the Pirates too low! You're hopelessly biased against Andy Van Slyke, intersecting rivers and Flashdance!" notes this week ... The Pirates have plated 22 runs and allowed 39 over their last seven games. Let me say this slowly so nobody misinterprets it: They. Are. Not. Good. ... And that's okay. For the first time in 15 years, the Pirates have a plan and a clue. That, plus the imminent arrival of Pedro Alvarez and glorious PNC Park -- post-game concert by K.C. and the Sunshine Band on August 22, baby! -- should be enough for now.
Preseason Power Rankings
Date
Ranking
Previous
02/16/2009
30
-
They went 17-37 down the stretch after dealing Jason Bay and Xavier Nady, then didn't bother to add anything of substance in the offseason. If the franchise so clearly doesn't give a crap, why should we?
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