Bucs add depth and versatility, but need to score more runs
PITTSBURGH (AP) – For a team coming off a club-record 10th consecutive losing season, the Pittsburgh Pirates begin spring training today in Bradenton, Fla., with an uncommon amount of stability. The pitching staff, a cause for concern only last spring, seems deep and settled, with only one rotation spot and one bullpen opening to be filled.
The everyday lineup also seems set, although general manager Dave Littlefield is still searching for a center fielder.
As usual, the Pirates made no blockbuster signings. The key additions all came at modest prices: first baseman Randall Simon ($1.475 million), outfielder Matt Stairs ($900,000) and pitcher Jeff Suppan ($1 million guaranteed over two years, plus reliever Matt Herges ($825,000).
What the Pirates now have, and what they’ve lacked for years, is quality depth, especially in a bullpen anchored by closer Mike Williams (team record 46 saves) that could be among the NL’s best.
Whether depth can overcome the lack of a certifiable star other than the ever-productive Brian Giles, and get the Pirates closer to .500 following a combined 189 losses over the last two seasons, is the key question of the spring.
“We are better,” Littlefield said. “We’re better than the team we ended last season with. But we need to score more runs.”
Remarkably, the Pirates improved from 62 wins in 2001 to 72 in 2002 even while scoring fewer runs (641, compared to 657 in 2001). That was largely the result of a much better pitching staff that got a combined 24 wins from newcomers Josh Fogg (12-12) and Kip Wells (12-14) and a boost from the return of Kris Benson (9-6, 4.70) following an 18-month injury layoff.
Now, the Pirates can send out four reliable starters, including Suppan (9-16, 5.32 ERA), the Royals’ No. 2 starter a year ago. They also can choose from Julian Tavarez, Jeff D’Amico, Brian Meadows and Salomon Torres, all of whom have major league starting experience, to be the No. 5 starter.
The key players in camp are holdovers: catcher Jason Kendall (.283, 3 homers, 44 RBIs) and third baseman Aramis Ramirez (.234, 18, 71). Both had poor seasons that contributed greatly to the overall lack of offense, and the Pirates badly need both to bounce back.
A position-by-position rundown as the Pirates head off to camp, although most of the pitchers are there already. Thirty players worked out in sunny, 70-degree weather Wednesday, including most of the pitching staff, plus second baseman Pokey Reese, shortstop Jack Wilson and outfielder-first baseman Craig Wilson.
FIRST BASE -Kevin Young (.246, 16 homers, 51 RBIs) was one of the worst run producers among major league first basemen, so Littlefield traded for Simon (.301, 19, 82 with Detroit). Simon will get most of the starts.
SECOND BASE-Reese (.264, 4, 50) had an exceptional year fielding; now, the Pirates only need to keep him healthy. He missed 46 games last season because of a variety of injuries. So maybe it’s a bad sign that Reese recently injured a finger while slamming a car door on it.
SHORTSTOP-Jack Wilson already is among the majors’ top fielding shortstops, and his offense picked up last year, too; he hit .252, up from .223 as a rookie in 2001.
THIRD BASE-Ramirez had a breakout year in 2001 (.300, 34, 112), but never found his stroke last year after injuring an ankle during an early season scuffle in Milwaukee. Manager Lloyd McClendon was encouraged when Ramirez dropped 20 pounds during the offseason without losing any muscle.
CATCHER-Where have you gone, Jason Kendall? Once a consistent .300 hitter, he didn’t hit for average or power last season. His numbers have dropped precipitously since he injured a thumb two seasons ago, and he required more surgery last fall, to repair a foot. So far, he’s been yet another bad investment _ he has five years left on a $60 million contract _ by a team that has squandered much of the extra revenue it gained by moving into PNC Park in 2001.
LEFT FIELD-Giles may move to center if the Pirates add another outfielder. He’s all for it, as long as he isn’t shuttled daily between positions.
CENTER FIELD-Unless Littlefield makes a deal, Rob Mackowiak (.244, 16, 48) will get the first shot. The Pirates’ biggest worry? He struck out 120 times in 385 at-bats.
RIGHT FIELD-Stairs, who hit 38 homers for Oakland in 1999, will platoon with Craig Wilson (.264, 16, 57), who also showed bursts of power last season.
BULLPEN-Brian Boehringer (4-4, 3.39 ERA) got the biggest contract handed out by Littlefield ($3.8 million, 2 years) despite a nearly 5.00 ERA after the All_Star break. Setup men Mike Lincoln, Scott Sauerbeck and Joe Beimel also return, augmented by Herges (2-5, 4.04 ERA with Expos).