The Pirates are back up off the mat after losing to the Marlins in last season's playoffs. The Pirates made a few changes to their team to shore up their bullpen.
Additions: Emil Sosa, Jaime Philips, Jake Owens, David Gomez and Wilfredo Belliard
Departures: Bruce Kinney and Javy Urbina
Losing Urbina hurts. The Pirates couldn't get rid of Kinney fast enough. Waiving Kinney saved 16.7 million this season. This allowed the Pirates to sign Phillips, Owens, re-sign Albert Villafuerte and trade for Sosa. I honestly think had the Pirates resigned Kent Heredia instead of signing Kinney last season, we might be talking about a different world series winner.
The Pirates Season 15 opening day roster:
1B: Juan Carrasquel moves to first full time this season.
2B: Luis Cruz Mr.consistency
SS: Don Gong not flashy but gets the job done
3B: Clarence Valentin started last season slow with the bat but finished strong. Should've won the gold glove last season, he was robbed.
LF: David Gomez a late season call up last season.
CF: Bernard Shelley nice rookie season
RF: Alex Richardson has had a good career so far, but has yet to have that MVP type of season, he's capable of. Maybe season 15 will be his year.
Bench: Max Fuentes he could start for other teams
Juan Bonilla nice work filling in at CF last season when Shelley was injured
Happy Hayes didn't hit much last season, hoping for a rebound this season.
Tim Roberts another player who could start for other teams, anyway he had a heck of season filling in for the starters last year
Wilfredo Belliard free agent signing, will get some playing time at 2B, RF, and LF
Pitching Staff:
SP1: Tim Loewer enough said
SP2: Omar Elcano he wins 25 games, a Cy young and his season was a disappointment. The Pirates didn't sign him for regular season success, he was brought in for the playoffs. So far he's been a bust.
SP3: Jimmie Torres the trade for Sosa moves Torres back to a starter.
SP4: Don Benson started off last season in the bullpen, and was moved into the rotation wound up winning 15 games.
SP5: Alex Espinoza gets a chance to start this season. He will be on a short leash, as Owens and Felix Carter are ready to start the first chance they get.
Bullpen:
Long Relief: Jake Owens will get some starts too, when Loewer needs some extra rest
Setup: Emil Sosa, Albert Villafuerte, Brandon Walton, Jaime Philips, and Geraldo Rosa
Closer: Andres Coronado
Hard to make predictions for the Pirates this season. The Marlins have improved at 1B and in the bullpen. Nevertheless, anything short of winning the world series, would be a disappointment. The Pirates need Elcano to step it up in the playoffs and for the bats not to go silent, like they did last season against the Marlins.
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