January Offseason Report

Latest Team Info:
Coming off of a much better year in 2002 then the 100 loss season a year before the Buccos expect more improvements once again. Understanding that realistically they are not playoff contenders playing in a tough NL Central the Pirates will be shooting for the .500 mark in the win-loss column. The offseason acquisitions of First Basemen Randall Simon and Outfielder Matt Stairs were great moves by GM Dave Littlefield. Contrary to the public opinion both Simon and Stairs will provide offensive pop in a Pirates lineup, which lacked it a year ago. Neither of them seems to be the future of the Bucs, but they will act, as quick fixes in 2003 until their future predecessors are ready to play everyday in the majors. Also in an attempt to add some depth to the bullpen the Pirates acquired right handed relief pitcher Matt Herges from the Montreal Expos for minor league pitchers Chris Young and Jon Searles.

Projected Lineup:
The Pirates are well known for changing their lineup quite often. Expect them to use several different ones until they find one that works. Last season they used 122 different lineups. There are two differences in the starting lineup from a year ago. First one being that there is no Kevin Young. This year he will platoon at first base with Simon unless one of them wins the job outright. Second is that Stairs is starting in Right Field which Craig Wilson and former Pirate Armando Rios both saw time at last year.

1. Jason Kendall - C
2. Jack Wilson – SS
3. Brian Giles – LF
4. Aramis Ramirez – 3B
5. Randall Simon – 1B
6. Matt Stairs – RF
7. Rob Mackowiak – CF
8. Pokey Reese – 2B

The Buccos bench will most likely consist of 5 players. Those five will probably be C Humberto Cota, 2B Abraham Nunez, 1B Kevin Young, and OF’s Adam Hyzdu and Craig Wilson.

Projected Starting Rotation:
This years starting rotation could be the best one in recent years for the Pirates. Returning after both having solid first years in black and gold are Wells and Fogg. Also they are hoping that Kris Benson will return to the pitcher he was before Tommy John surgery. The fifth spot in the rotation seems to be the only question mark in the rotation as it could go to Solomon Torres or Bronson Arroyo.

1. Kris Benson – RHP
2. Kip Wells – RHP
3. Josh Fogg – RHP
4. Brian Meadows – RHP
5. Solomon Torres – RHP

The bullpen returns one of the games best closers in Mike Williams. The rest of the pen will consist of left handers Scott Sauerbeck and Joe Beimel and right handers Brian Boehringer, Matt Herges, Mike Lincoln and Al Reyes.

Injuries:
Catcher Humberto Cota suffered a broken left hand while playing winter ball in Mexico this winter. Cota is expected to be the Pirates backup catcher this year. He had surgery on it January 8 and is expected to be able to return for the Pirates exhibition opener.

Rumorama:
Rumor has it that GM Dave Littlefield may be shopping for insurance behind the play with the injury to Cota. Free Agent catchers that may be pursued are Jorge Fabregas, John Flaherty, Tom Lampkin and Eddie Perez. He also said he plans on shopping around for an everyday center fielder and a starting pitcher to round out the rotation. Another rumor surfaced through some newspapers in the Burgh that the Pirates might acquire Raul Mondesi from the New York Yankees as long as they take on most of his hefty contract. If so this would probably move Giles to Center Field because Mondesi plays Left Field. Expect some type of deal to go through before the start of the season.

Whats Next???
Coming up next time I will break down the Pirates roster and analyze each player. In a fantasy sense of mind I will answer your questions of who should be drafted and when.

Correspondents Note I:
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Correspondents Note II:
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