Pirates Season 10

Season 10 began with the Pirates Management wanting to address a couple of weaknesses from Season 9. The first was the bullpen. Season 9 started off well right up to the all star break, the team was with 5 games of the final wild card spot.

Then the wheels fell off, the bullpen blew up and management was forced to

overwork their starting pitching and draw straws to see if anybody could do a decent job in the set

up role in the bullpen. Although missing out on 2 big name free agents this year: Cam Anderson

and Bryan McDowell, the Pirates managed to add a few pieces, that will hopefully strengthen the

bullpen and in turn the rotation. Still have holes at 3B, CF, and 2B. This season will just try and

piece it together. Anyway here is the Pirates starting lineup by position for season 10:

C: Raymond Strong will try to get him 145 games this year. Tony Castilla will backup

1B: Hong-Jin Perez acquired from Detroit. Willie Lopez will fill in when necessary.

2B: Jamie Xaio veteran FA signing. Ricardo Cela will see some time at 2B and CF.

SS: Matt Wise had a nice season 10.

3B: Felipe Ontiveros another veteran FA signing.

LF: Juan Carrasquel will bat 4th.

CF: Efrain Yoshii future SS for the Pirates. Oswaldo Guillen will see some time in CF and in the infield.

RF: Paul Rushford was a major disappointment in season 9.

Pirates Pitching rotation for season 10:

SP1: Kent Heredia a workhorse counting on a big season

SP2: Byung-Hyun Pan had a nice season after coming over from St. Louis

SP3: Tim Loewer will get try to 25 to 30 starts out of him

SP4: Jimmie Torres would like to give him one more season in the minors

SP5: Patrick Counsell got his feet wet in season 9, season 10 hopefully will see some gains.

Mop: Jeff Dalesandro mop up, long relief and maybe the odd start.

LR: Darin Berry long relief, the odd start

LR: Jared Hampton Long relief and possibly starting

SU: Geraldo Rosa This seasons rule 5 draft pick.

SU: Matty Guardado came over in a trade with Philadelphia along with Efrain Yoshii.

SU: Albert Villafuerte FA signing will set up and close when Corranodo needs rest.

CL: Andres Coronado had a great rookie season

Still undecided about the final two roster spots should be sorted out by the end of spring training.

Bullpen should be a lot stronger in season 10. Still have some holes but, overall team depth has

improved each year since taking over this team. Pirates Management will be on the lookout for

another frontline SP as teams fall out of the race and decide to dump contracts later in the season.

Pirates management hopes to stay within 5 games of a wildcard spot this season and if this happens

will add players through trade for a final push.