The last time that the Pittsburgh Pirates finished a season above .500 was the last time they made the playoffs in 1992. When their season finished, Nats OF Bryce Harper was still a couple weeks from being born. So yah, its been a while.
Last season we saw a glimpse of what's to come on the road ahead in Pittsburgh.
We got to see Andrew McCutchen rise as one of the leagues top outfielders and receive serious MVP consideration. We saw the Pirates bring in players at the trade deadline insted of them shipping players out. Then for a while we saw the Pirates as a playoff contender. Being eight games over .500 on September 1st.
Pittsburgh couldn't finish strong going 9-13 in September; failing to make the playoffs and finish .500 for the 1st time in 20 years.
So as for the Pirates of 2013, I honestly believe that Pittsburgh has a talented group of young and veteran players capable of winning ball games.
Bringing Russell Martin this offseason will be a real boost on defense for the Pirates, who were a league worst last year at throwing out runners.
Pedro Alverez is another rising player in this league. Strikeouts will come, but Alverez also has a great amount of power from the left side. Garrett Jones and Neil Walker finish off the infield. Then of course there's Andrew McCutchen; Enough said.
Pittsburgh's rotation is in good shape with the arms of AJ Burnett, James Macdonald, and Wandy Rodriguez. The Pirates bullpen last season was also very strong with Joel Hanrahan closing out games. Hanrahan has since been traded to Boston; Jason Grilli is expected to close this year.
For the Pirates in 2013, they've started out hot the last two seasons and now they have to finish. But if each season is only them getting better, then I can easily predict a .500 finish this time around.
Follow @GavinEwbank2013 on Twitter.
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