Call to the pen
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Pittsburgh Pirates 2018 Season Preview

By David Hill

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 30: Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Jordan Luplow (47), left fielder Starling Marte (6) and right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) celebrate following an MLB game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Washington Nationals on September 30, 2017, at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Washington Nationals, 4-1 with a four run ninth inning. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 30: Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Jordan Luplow (47), left fielder Starling Marte (6) and right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) celebrate following an MLB game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Washington Nationals on September 30, 2017, at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Washington Nationals, 4-1 with a four run ninth inning. (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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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.

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