PDA

View Full Version : Here's a team that might be better than you think

GiveHyzduashot
02-28-2003, 05:24 PM
From Jayson Stark's column (http://espn.go.com/mlb/columns/stark_jayson/1515843.html):

Here's a team that might be better than you think: The Pirates.

If they sign Kenny Lofton, they'll have a respectable player at every position on the diamond. (Lofton, Brian Giles and Reggie Sanders in the outfield. Aramis Ramirez, Jack Wilson, Pokey Reese and Randall Simon in the infield. Jason Kendall catching.)

They have the makings of a good rotation, fronted by a now-healthy Kris Benson. Then come Josh Fogg and Kip Wells, with Jeff Suppan and someone from the Julian Tavarez-Jeff D'Amico-Rolando Arrojo-Ryan Vogelsong smorgasbord to round out the group. And only nine teams in the big leagues had a lower bullpen ERA last year.

"I don't know if they're a .500 team yet," said a scout who has seen them this spring. "But they're getting there. They're ahead of some of these other teams that are rebuilding."
PissedPrincess
02-28-2003, 05:27 PM
Nice story. I bet you guys play slightly over .500. :thumbsup:
SlushyBOB
02-28-2003, 06:29 PM
They will definitely improve from last year's record. Hopefully Benson can stay healthy and consistent.
GiveHyzduashot
02-28-2003, 08:02 PM
I think Benson will be healthy this season. I'm expecting big things from Benson this year ... 15+ wins, 3.50 era or so. If Benson is healthy and consistent, we'll be in good shape with the pitching.

I'm thinking we play over .500 too Jacqui, 85 wins ideally.
Greymire
02-28-2003, 11:56 PM
We will be in there at the end of the season. Win or lose we are going to make it tough on everyone this year.
00_Agent
03-01-2003, 05:45 PM
This combo of Benson and Wells is going to be something else this season. I think that both of them will win 15 games and I wouldn't be surprised if Benson won 20. I think that he is going to be that good. He was looking great at the end of last season, and now he has had an offseason to get ready.

00
GiveHyzduashot
03-01-2003, 08:58 PM
I'm looking for 15 wins from Benson with an ERA at or under 3.50. Wells, 15 wins with a 4.00 era or less will be good. I think they could combine for 35+ wins this season.

Not so sure Benson can win 20 yet. He'll be going up against other teams' ace, and two years removed from arm surgery, I'll be very surprised if he wins 20.

Also, Benson didn't finish the season as strong as I remembered. He didn't go any more than five innings in his last five starts; in two of those he gave up 3 runs, in one he gave up two, in another he gave up one, and in one start he didn't give up any. He walked two or more batters in four of those starts and had two strikeouts or less in three of his starts.