#24
The Pittsburgh Pirates have taken steps backward in the last few seasons. Will some recent roster moves lead to more success in 2018?
2017 Predictions
3rd in NL Central
Andrew McCutchen will be traded by the end of the year.
2017 Results
75-87, 4th in NL Central
The Pirates' season seemed to be derailed before it even started when Starling Marte was suspended for 80 games with a PED positive test. Also, Jung Ho Kang, their Most Important Hitter pre-season last year, never played a game for the Pirates as he couldn't secure a work visa to return to the US. This all started them down a path where they never really competed all season. As for my Fearless Prediction, I may have just been a little premature.
Additions / Subtractions
The Pirates appeared to try and reset their roster a little bit this offseason, trading away two of their most productive players from their postseason runs. Andrew McCutchen is now a Giant, and Gerrit Cole has joined the World Champion Astros. The only experienced players that have been added to the roster are outfielder Corey Dickerson and pitchers Joe Musgrove and Kyle Crick. These are not really names that are going to excite fans considering what left.
Most Important Hitter
Starling Marte
This is a big year for Starling Marte for many reasons. First, he is the biggest established star left on the Pirates' roster. There are some emerging stars like Gregory Polanco or Josh Bell, but Marte is still the best player. Also, Marte has some redeeming to do after last season and his suspension. He needs to prove his production was for real and that he can be counted on and trusted moving forward. Lastly, the Pirates organization is probably looking at Marte this year and deciding whether he will be a centerpiece of the franchise moving forward or will he be another player to be moved for more prospects. With all these factors in mind, it is a huge year for Starling Marte.
Most Important Pitcher
Jameson Taillon
Finally, the Pirates were able to see a full season from Jameson Taillon in the big leagues in 2017! A top prospect derailed by a myriad of health issues, Taillon finally got to start what everyone still hopes will be a promising career. In 2017, Taillon was an average starting pitcher. In 2018, he will be asked to start progressing into the star everyone hopes he will be. The Pirates are banking on their new look team to be anchored by a bright young pitching staff. Taillon, along with Tyler Glasnow, will be asked to be the anchors of that.
Prospect to Watch
Mitch Keller
The next arm to join the young Pirates rotation will be 21 year old Mitch Keller. A former 2nd round pick from 2014, Keller is the 15th best prospect in all of baseball with a potential of being an ace to be counted on moving forward. If the Pirates are able to establish Taillon, Glasnow, and Keller as the phenoms they can be, the Pirates rotation will be regarded similarly to how we talked about the Mets a few years ago.
2018 Prediction
4th in NL Central
The cupboard isn't bare, but they are definitely taking a giant intentional step back in 2018. They still have some young emerging stars and a strong pitching staff, but they are looking at the top three in this division, realizing they can't compete with them, and re-tooling to fight another day. Look for them to be a postseason factor again in 2020.
Fearless Prediction
Starling Marte will be traded this season.
Including team options, Marte is under contract through 2021 on a very club-friendly deal. However, by the time the Pirates are looking to compete again in a couple years, Marte's contract will be ready to expire. He is most valuable to them right now: an All Star player in his prime with club control that is ready to help a team now. They could get a pretty large package back for him that could set them up moving forward. It would also clear space for top prospect Austin Meadows to crack the big league lineup.
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