Quote:
Originally Posted by Ninersrule
... He also gives protection to Jason Bay, and sandwiched around him, an
improving Ronny Paulino and Freddie Sanchez sure gives the Bucs a
forimidable middle of the line up.
This is an improving Pirate team, and with the young pitching staff, resemble
the Braves of the early 90's. This team is not that far away.
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Yes, the middle of the line-up will improve by having LaRoche supporting Sanchez and Bay. However, we are a team that hit 141 HRs last year, and scored only 691 runs, both
dead last in the NL. One bat, even one as formidable as Adam LaRoche, won't make
that much of a difference in this otherwise anemic offense. Duffy and McLouth are below-average MLBers, Nady's been a bust so far, Paulino's a question mark, and middle INF worries me to death.
Our pitchers seem to have talent, but after last season, who really knows? Duke and Maholm seemed to take a step
back, and after them it's Snell (one good season, but still a ?) and then it's a crap shoot.
If this team finishes at .500, I'll be as shocked as h3//! Just don't see it happening.