Power Pros Forum

The Pirates were unable to sign anyone else and is now faced with the choice of trades which they will try this offseason. For a team that won 93 games, they seemed like they had a good amount of weaknesses.

In other moves:


Garland goes to Marlins

Polanco goes to Reds

Robertson goes to Braves

Fielders goes back to Brewers

Chulk goes to White Sox

Hill goes back to Blue Jays

Victorino goes to Rockies in big move

Hawpe goes to Orioles in big move

Crisp goes to Rockies

Pena goes to Red Sox

Encarnacion goes back to Blue Jays

Ordonez goes to Yankees

Franklin goes back to Cardinals

Synder goes back to Diamondbacks

Beltran shakes up NL East and goes to Phillies

Meh. I don't like any of the offseason moves at all. Well, I guess that's small market for you.

I liked my moves to save money and so I don't win 100 games a season

I like Baldelli because he's the perfect platoon outfielder. I like Lohse because he's pretty good. I like Carroll because he's pretty good. And the Amezaga deal was to get a little younger with Young as the 2B/OF

One day me and you will agree with a move I make in this log, one day

I like the players you got. I just like the players you could have got even better - a lot better.

2012 National League Central Preview




Pittsburgh Pirates(93-69)

Despite making it to the World Series and winning the division in 2011, the Pirates pretty much rebuilt a little. They signed a great 4th starter in Kyle Lohse and signed veteran utility man Jamey Carroll. They also traded for Rocco Baldelli to platoon in right field and acquired Matt Wise for Amezaga as Delwyn Young now replaces Amezaga as one of the utility-men. The Pirates also got rid of Jeff Karstens. The Pirates pitching will likely lead them to another 1st place finish for them as their offense will McCutchen, Jones, Doumit, Werth and Ikari will be efficient enough to win 95 games.

Key Additions: Rocco Baldelli, Kyle Lohse, Matt Wise, Jamey Carroll

Key Losses: Jeff Karstens, Alfredo Amezaga, Joel Hanrahan, Homer Bailey



Milwaukee Brewers(88-74)

The Brewers spent their offseason focusing on one guy, Prince Fielder. The franchise player resigned and the Brewers will be able to compete once again after finishing 4th and getting to 2nd place in 2011. The rotation is led by Brandon Webb and Yovani Gallardo and Ryan Braun, Rickie Weeks, Prince Fielder and Corey Hart should form to build a good offense. I predict an 89-73 record.

Key Additions: Prince Fielder(Resigning)

Key Losses: None




St. Louis Cardinals(84-78)

The Cardinals won 84 games but it was considered a disappointing year. They resigned Yadier Molina which was huge and resigned veteran Franklin who may be too old to make a huge impact. But their starting rotation took a hit losing Kyle Lohse but Carpenter and Wainwright along with Oliver Perez will form a good enough rotation. Add that with their offense with the now legendary Albert Pujols, Troy Glaus, Colby Rasmus and a turn around year from Matt Holliday and they look like a team that could win 90 games. I predict a 93-69 record)

Key Additions: Ryan Franklin(Resign), Yadier Molina(Resign)

Key Losses: Kyle Lohse




Cincinnati Reds(78-84)

The Reds have kind of hid at the bottom of the division for a long time and they don't look ready to leave it. They signed veteran infielder Wilson Betimet but his value will be somewhat limited and they also signed veteran Polanco but they may not even use him. Their offense is up and down but Bruce, Votto and Phillips are stars now and if they can get something from Tavares, Hernandez, Balentien and Rolen then their offense can do something. But their pitching is somewhat suspect with Arroyo and Owings forced to lead the group that also lost Homer Bailey. I predict a 5th place finish at 77-85

Key Additions: Wilson Betimet, Placido Polanco

Key Losses: None




Chicago Cubs(78-84)

The Cubs seem to refuse to start Soriano in left field and seem to refuse to get free agents. It's a team with potential as players like Ramirez, Lee, Soto, Soriano(if they start him) and Bradley can all put up big seasons. Their pitching has Cy Young pitcher Carlos Zambrano as their #1 starter and they need guys like Dempster, Wells and Gorzellany to step up and if they do, I predict an 88-74 record

Key Additions: Bradley(resign)

Key Losses: None



Houston Astros(62-100)

Poor Astros. They were once fighting for the division title in 2009 and are now almost dead. They had a bad pitching staff but a horrendous offense. Roy Oswalt left the team and that list includes Berkman, Valverde, Oswalt, Boone and Tejeda that have left since 2008. They're stuck with struggling draft picks at 1st base and 3rd base while Ivan Rodriguez is old now. On the bright side, they always have Hunter Pence.

Key Additions: None

Key Losses: Roy Owalt

Ooh! I also want to be Kyle Lohse's agent.

He is happy with his new contract and is excited to join the Pirates.

I think you should start with Baldelli and let Pearce be the backup.

Opening Day Baseball 2012




St Louis Cardinals(0-0)
Pittsburgh Pirates(0-0)




Doumit's Late Blast Sends Pirates Past Cardinals In Opening Day




April 2 -- The Pirates were able to overcame a blown lead to win opening day 7-6 over the Cardinals. The Cardinals scored 1st on a homerun by who else but Albert Pujols but the Pirates roared back in the 3rd inning with a 4 run inning capped by a 2-run double by Jayson Werth and then a 2-run homerun by Garrett Jones and it was 4-1 then. But down 4-2 in the 6th inning, Albert Pujols came through again with a 3-run double to make it 5-4 and take Sanchez out of the game on a day where Cards ace Chris Carpenter struggled with command. But McCutchen would answer with a 2-out, 2-run double to left field to go ahead 6-5 at that point. Kevin Hart did not get the help he wanted as with 1 out and a runner on 2nd base, Andrew McCutchen charged a ball and dropped it to allow the tying run to score from 2nd base. But Ryan Doumit would be the hero in the 8th inning with a solo homerun to right which would be the game winner as last years NL saves leader Huston Street shut the door with a 1-2-3 inning.




6 - 7




WP: Bautista (1-0) | LP: En.Gonzalez (0-1) | SV: Street (1)
HR: Pujols(1) Glaus(1) Jones(1) Doumit(1)




Pujols: 2-4, HR, 2B, 4 RBI
Holliday: 2-4, 2B
Glaus: 1-4, HR
Carpenter: 3 2/3 IP, 4 BB, 3 K, 4 R



Doumit: 1-4, HR
McCutchen: 2-3, 2-R Double
Jones: 2-4, HR
Sanchez: 6 IP, 6 K, 5 R

I think that's a good idea. I'll still give Pearce some playing time but Baldelli is a lot better and Pearce is more of a bench player/pinch hitter against lefties

Houston Astros(3-1)
Pittsburgh Pirates(3-1)




Unseen Bullpen Implosion Caps Astro's Miracle Rally




April 6 -- Kevin Gregg and Huston Street are under a lot of speculation tonight and rightfully so. The Pirates led 7-2 in the 8th inning and what happen would probably shock everyone. Carlos Lee led of the inning with a solo homerun to make it 7-3 and the 3-1 Astros kept coming and when it was 7-4, they brought in Huston Street and Keppinger hit a 2-run double and it was all of a sudden 7-6 and Carlos Lee hit his 2nd homerun of the inning to lead 8-7. Street stayed to try to keep the 9th inning a 1-run game and failed badly giving up a run and then a 2-run triple to Kaz Matsui and it was 11-7 and it would finish 11-8. So in 2/3 innings from Gregg he allowed 5 runs and 4 runs were allowed by Street. 9 runs from whats considered the Pirates 2 best relievers is unheard of and unacceptable.




11 - 8





WP: Huisman (1-0) | LP: Street (0-1)
HR: Lee(1) Werth(1)





Matsui: 2-5, 2 RBI
Lee: 3-5, 2 HR
Bullinger: 3-5, 2 RBI
Keppinger: 1-1, 2 RBI Double
MacRae: 3-5
Paulino: 4 2/3 IP, 4 K, 6 R



McCutchen: 4-5, 2 RBI
Pearce: 2-3, 2B
Werth: 1-4, HR
Young: 1-1, PH 2B
Maholm: 7 IP, 6 K, 2 R

Pittsburgh Pirates(5-3)
St Louis Cardinals(3-5)




Rasmus's Big Day Gives Cardinals Spark in 7-6 Win



April 10 -- The Pirates pitching has struggled so far and it did again today. After an RBI single by Garrett Jones in the 1st inning, Albert Pujols continued his Pirates killing reputation with a solo homerun to tie the game. The scoring stopped again until the 3rd inning when Colby Rasmus hit a 2-run homerun to right center field off of Zach Duke to lead 3-1 which would be cut in the 4th inning with a homerun by Doumit. But the Cardinals took over in the 5th inning with an RBI single by Skip Schumaker to make it 4-2 Cards and then Troy Glaus continued his Pirates killing spree with a 2-run homerun and it was then 6-2. But the Bucs didn't go quietly. Garrett Jones hit an RBI single in the 7th inning, Werth hit an RBI double and then Doumit's second shot of the day, a 2-run homerun tied the game at 6. But Colby Rasmus would hit what would be the game winner in the 7th inning with a go-ahead RBI single, his 4th RBI of the day and Pat Neshek gave it up and picked up his 2nd loss of the season as the Pirates fall to 5-4.




6 - 7




WP: Huaman (3-0) | LP: Neshek (1-2) | SV: Franklin (3)
HR: Glaus(3) Pujols(3) Rasmus(4) Doumit(2,3)




Jones: 2-4, 2 RBI
Doumit: 2-3, 2 HR, 3 RBI
Werth: 1-4, 2B, RBI
Duke: 5 2/3 IP, 3 K, 6 R



Rasmus: 4-4, HR, 4 RBI
Pujols: 1-3, HR
Glaus: 1-4, HR
Molina: 2-4
Pineiro: 6 IP, 5 K, 5 R

What are Ikari's abilities?