Pittsburgh Pirates 2018 Season Preview
A lot has changed since the Pittsburgh Pirates ended the 2018 campaign. But are the Pirates better off with these moves?
At the end of the 2017 campaign, the Pittsburgh Pirates did not seem all that far away from contending. Despite their 75-87 record, the pieces appeared to be in place, with Andrew McCutchen closing in on his old form, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco providing a dynamic duo in the outfield, and up and coming first baseman Josh Bell, the lineup was solid. With better health, and Gerrit Cole returning to his place as the Pirates ace, a return to relevance was not outside the realm of possibility.
Then the offseason happened. McCutchen, the face of franchise, was traded away to San Francisco. Cole, the erstwhile ace, was sent packing to Houston. The moves infuriated the fanbase to the point where they started a petition calling for Major League Baseball to force owner Bob Nutting sell the franchise.
Since that point, the Pirates have made other moves. Minor league slugger Bryce Brentz has finally been freed of Boston. Colin Moran is no longer stuck behind three top prospects at third. The names may be different, but it is possible that the Pirates will be just as good, if not better, than they were the previous year.
This season, the Pittsburgh Pirates do not have lofty expectations. However, it is entirely possible that they will perform better than anyone could imagine.
Pittsburgh Pirates additions and subtractions
Key additions: Bryce Brentz, Corey Dickerson, Colin Moran, Kevin Siegrist, Joe Musgrove
Newcomer to watch: Corey Dickerson. Chances are, one would not have expected Corey Dickerson to be placed on waivers after his All Star season last year. However, the Rays did exactly that, allowing the Pittsburgh Pirates to acquire their new left fielder.
There is a question as to what the Pirates really have with Dickerson. His overall numbers were solid, with a .282./325/.490 batting line, hitting a career best 27 homers with 33 doubles. However, the vast majority of that damage came in the first half, as Dickerson produced a .312/.355/.548 batting line with 17 homers before the All Star Break.
If Dickerson can perform as his overall 2017 performance would indicate over a full season, he can become a key part of the Pirates lineup. If Dickerson instead looks like the player from the second half, where he produced a .241/.282/.402 batting line with 10 homers over his final 259 plate appearances, the Pirates would have made a mistake. No one, not even the Pirates, can truly know what they have with Corey Dickerson.
Biggest losses: Gerrit Cole, Andrew McCutchen, Daniel Hudson
Biggest loss: Gerrit Cole. Although Gerrit Cole is slotted in as the Astros fourth starter, that does not ignore that he was the staff ace in Pittsburgh.
It was not that long ago that Cole was an emerging superstar, making the 2015 All Star Game and finishing fourth in the Cy Young vote. He was even solid in his injury abbreviated 2016 campaign, giving hope that he would become the ace that the Pirates hoped for. Then, he struggled last year, producing a 12-12 record, with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.251 WHiP.
The departure of Gerrit Cole leaves the Pittsburgh Pirates without a real top of the rotation starter. At this point, Ivan Nova is listed as the first starter, with Jameson Taillon following him up. However, the rest of the Pirates rotation is a major question mark. If they struggle in 2018, the rotation could be a big reason why, magnifying the loss of Cole even more.
What to expect from the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018
Expectations are low for the Pittsburgh Pirates for 2018. That may be doing a disservice to the roster.
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There are certainly plenty of questions on the Pirates roster. The starting rotation does not have a true top of the rotation starter, and Ivan Nova is really the only pitcher to have established himself at the major league level. However, there is plenty of potential in the rotation, and the Pirates have very quietly put together a strong bullpen. Felipe Rivero emerged as one of the better closers in the National League, and the combination of Kevin Seigrist, George Kontos, and Michael Feliz could be excellent.
Those same questions could be said about the lineup. Even Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco, the returning stars in the batting order, have their question marks. However, there is plenty of potential in the lineup as well, with solid prospects Austin Meadows and Cole Tucker getting closer to making an impact on the major league level.
Chances are, for the Pirates to contend in 2018, they would need to have a lot go their way. Players like Colin Moran and Josh Bell would need to emerge as cornerstones for the franchise. Corey Dickerson would need to prove his second half problems were a fluke. One or two of the Pirates young pitchers would need to take that next step. It is a lot to ask for, but the present is not as dreary as one would think.
Next: Brentz can become feel good story
The Pittsburgh Pirates are starting to accumulate the pieces for their next run to contention. Although it is a long shot, they may contend in what should be a solid NL Central. Prediction: Fourth place in the NL Central.