Column: Pirates make solid moves

Can you see it, Pirates fans? That magical light at the end of the tunnel labeled “Contender… Can you see it, Pirates fans? That magical light at the end of the tunnel labeled “Contender Status”? After nearly two decades of futility, Buccos fans finally have a reason to be — even if only slightly — optimistic.

Key Additions/Subtractions:

The Pirates had a relatively busy winter. They boosted the pitching staff and replaced several starters from last season, showing the fan base that they care for the first time since most of us were in diapers. The team acquired fireballing (but oft-injured) lefty Erik Bedard with a one-year deal and gave up next to nothing for right-hander A.J. Burnett, a solid veteran presence who was pushed out of the New York Yankees’ rotation.

Pittsburgh also traded for third baseman/first baseman Casey McGehee from the Brewers in a move that will bolster its lineup against left-handed pitching. The Pirates also signed former Bucco outfielder Nate McLouth from the Atlanta Braves. McLouth, who can play all three outfield positions, had the best seasons of his career in Pittsburgh. At the very least, he can offer decent speed, a reliable glove and a solid left-handed bat off the bench. He always did love the short right-field porch at PNC Park.

Veterans Clint Barmes (shortstop) and Rod Barajas (catcher) rounded out the Pirates’ additions. While neither will provide much in terms of offense, they are both cheap veterans who will no doubt up the consistency in production from the Pirates’ starters last season.

But the best news isn’t how much better the Pirates have gotten this off-season, it’s how much worse the rest of the division has become.

Perennial Pirate killer Albert Pujols — who hit at a .400 clip at PNC Park — left the World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals in favor of sunny Anaheim. Big bopper Prince Fielder left the division champion Milwaukee Brewers in favor of a fat paycheck and the ability to be a designated hitter in Detroit. And the reigning National League Most Valuable Player, Brewers’ outfielder Ryan Braun, tested positive for a banned substance and is facing a 50-game suspension.

The Pirates also rid themselves of several familiar faces from years’ past, which isn’t a bad thing. Pittsburgh decided not to re-sign starting pitcher Paul Maholm, starters Chris Snyder and Ryan Doumit (catchers), Derrek Lee (first base), Ryan Ludwick (outfield) and Ronnie Cedeno (shortstop).

For once, every one of these moves made sense.

Maholm was a solid innings-eater with a respectable earned run average, but his 84 mph fastball put everyone — including his own offense — to sleep. The terrible run support caused him to garner a pitiful 6-14 record despite the best earned run average of his career. He wasn’t worth the $6.25 million the Pirates were paying him last season.

The oft-injured, highly-paid catching duo of Snyder and Doumit — who cannot really be called a tandem, because they were never healthy at the same time — were also allowed to walk. Although they were two of the team’s power bats, their inconsistency at the plate and behind it didn’t warrant their salaries.

Ludwick was a bust in his half-season with the Pirates after they picked him up at the trade deadline. With Alex Presley waiting in the wings, it’s no surprise the Pirates let him go. Cedeno might have been the most inconsistent player I have ever laid eyes on. Often he would make an Ozzie Smith-esque play at short before booting an easy ground ball and then striking out on three pitches.

Lee is the one player I wish the Pirates would have re-signed. He played well in his short time in Pittsburgh and the team wanted him to come back. Unfortunately, he didn’t share the love and wouldn’t sign the Pirates’ contract offer.

Projected Lineup:

LF Alex Presley

RF Jose Tabata

CF Andrew McCutchen

2B Neil Walker

1B Garrett Jones/Casey McGehee

3B Pedro Alvarez

SS Clint Barmes

C Rod Barajas

The Pirates are looking for big years from their nucleus of young players. Andrew McCutchen is one of baseball’s brightest young stars and when he puts all five of his tools together for a full season, their will be MVP talk around the Steel City.

But true success hinges on the other young players. Will Jose Tabata play consistently for a full season? Can Neil Walker replicate the success he had for most of the season with runners on base? Is Alex Presley for real, or is he the reincarnation of Chris Duffy? And the big one: Is Pedro Alvarez the big bat the Pirates thought he was? If these young players play well — specifically El Toro — the Pirates will have a lineup to be reckoned with for several years to come. If they don’t, well, Pirates’ fans are used to long summers by now.

Probable Pitching Rotation:

LHP Erik Bedard

RHP Kevin Correia

RHP AJ Burnett

RHP Jeff Karstens

RHP James McDonald

The Pirates’ pitchers were massive over-achievers last season — for the first half of the season at least.

Jeff Karstens started the year in the bullpen before flirting with the National League lead in ERA. Kevin Correia was among the league leaders in wins for about a week. Charlie Morton made the change from statistically the worst starting pitcher in the league to arguably the staff’s ace in only a year. James McDonald showed flashes of brilliance.

However, by the end of the year, they were all pitching poorly and the teams’ record reflected that. With the addition of Bedard and Burnett, the pitching looks even better than last year, although Morton will miss the first portion of the year while recovering from an off-season hip surgery. There’s also the possibility that the staff from the second half of the year will show up rather than the one from the first half.

If the franchise wants to end two decades of futility, it needs to have consistent starting pitching — something that all 30 teams would like. If the Pirates get it, maybe, just maybe, we might see some magic this at PNC Park this summer.