[Lefty Noob]

As I said in another post, before we got our own forum (thanks Ross!), we've had some pretty lean years as of late. I like the additions of Casey, Burnitz and Randa, but I still have concerns.

The staff looks weak behind Perez and Duke, I'm not convinced that Tracy's a better skipper than Lloyd was, and I hate losing a guy like Mackowiak. Call me "cautiously optimistic" that we'll have a good year in '06.

BigBadBuc -- I'm not high on Wells. I personally think we should've dumped him. Cripes, he had a 5.09 ERA last year, and he's a career 4.36 man. Not sure he's one we can count on, especially if the offense struggles at all.

[BigBadBuc]

Wells is a mystery. He seemed to lack the guts to fight through certain things. He is a prime example of a thrower and not a pitcher. He has little command of his pitches. He throws hard and his ball moves but he gets behind in the count and then has to throw the ball right over the plate. He also exhausts the bullpen. This is a turning point year for Kip.

Maholm and Duke outshined Kip Wells last year. Neither have the fastball or movement on the ball that Kip has but they know how to pitch and make adjustments.

If Wells gets it going this could be a formidable staff. Perez and Wells are the key.

BBB

[wvuauthor]

BBB,

Good to see another Pittsbugh guy on the board! I agree, Wells is a complete mystery coming into this season. Which Wells is going to show up? With that said, this is a make or break season for him in my opinion.

Also, I am not sold on Perez. I know he had a good rookie season, but last year with the injuries worried me. I hope he can return to the form we saw a couple of years back.

[BigBadBuc]

WVU,

There is an outside chance that the Bucs could stir up some trouble in a slightly weakened NL Central. It all hinges on the starting five. You would have to admit that if Wells and Perez can go back to their original form then the Pirates will be formidable. I don't think that they are a playoff team but they could raise a fuss like Milwaukee did last year.

BBB

[wvuauthor]

Agreed! A big part of the season definitely rests on the starting five and the strength of the bullpen. Can they make the playoffs? That would probably be a stretch like you said, but they may be able to raise a fuss and cause some problems for some other teams.