2005 Pittsburgh Pirates Preview

Pittsburgh Pirates Preview

ABOUT BASEBALL breaks down & previews the 2005 Pittsburgh Pirates.

2004 Record: 72-89, 5th place in NL Central
Home Ballpark: PNC Park
Manager: Lloyd McClendon

2005 Predition: 68-94, last place in NL Central

ADDITIONS: OF - Matt Lawton, SP - Mark Redman, C - Benito Santiago, RP - Rick White

SUBTRACTIONS: RP - Frank Brooks, C - Jason Kendall, RP - Arthur Rhodes

LINEUP: Matt Lawton (RF), Jack Wilson (SS), Jason Bay (LF), Craig Wilson (1B), Ty Wigginton (3B), Benito Santiago (C), Tike Redman (CF), Jose Castillo (2B)

ROTATION: Kip Wells (RHP), Oliver Perez (LHP), Mark Redman (LHP), Josh Fogg (RHP), David Williams (LHP)

CLOSER: Jose Mesa (RHP)

OUTLOOK: Popular longtime Pirates catcher Jason Kendall was shipped to Oakland, as the Bucs organization continues to deal away reasons to watch their ballclub.

The club will hope that NL Roookie of the Year Bay has a strong second season and that young hurlers like Perez can become regular winners on the big-league level. Wigginton is a hard-nosed type who will run through catchers all season long. Talent and guts are present with this squad, but talent is definitely an issue - especially on offense. Expect the Pirates to finish dead last and come close to losing 100 games.