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I totally agree with you once a runner!

The Pirates do need to keep they're young players but chances are they won't....They never do and that is why they are at the bottom right now....

I have to agree with Coach here - wild card is unrealistic. But it sure is nice for once to be able to say it's at least possible. I also wish the Bucs could hang on to some young talent, but it's doubtful. It seems that they are always trading away very good talent for the future, but when the future nears, there goes the young stars again. Seems to happen every year and it's very, very frustrating.

I think I'll stick to Curve games. It's a much better time there without the hassles of the city.

Go Phillies

The way the Phils are playing now, we might see the Bucs pass them in the wild card race.

I'm a Phils fan too (my family is from Philly) but they are about like the Eagles. They are right there, but just can't get the push over the top.

Well, when you've got a living stick of dynamite in your dugout trying to light itself, I'm sure it's hard to concentrate.

[quote="NbBaseballWG5";p="57660"]The Pirates do need to keep they're young players but chances are they won't....They never do and that is why they are at the bottom right now....[/quote]

There's a big difference between now and the way the Pirates have conducted business in the past---and that is Dave Littlefield.

Cam Bonifay literally drove the organization into the ground. From top to bottom the Pirates were the worst organization in baseball under Bonifay's watch. Now they have one of the best minor league systems in baseball and its beginning to show.

He upgraded the scouting department and is loading up on pitching. The Pirates will lose some of these young arms but I guarantee they'll get something in return instead of an aging veteran past his prime---a trademark of a Bonifay deal.

The future for the Bucs looks brighter now than at any time in the last 10-12 years. I'm very optimistic about the next couple of years.

For once the optimism is deserved. I think the players are capable of becoming a strong team, but can the coaching staff take them there? It's no coincidence that good, really good, or great teams usually have good, really good, or great managers. I think the present gang has to evolve with the players.

Does anybody else agree that next year the Pirates have to at least be strong contenders for the wild card -- which usually means they have to finish 10-15 games ahead of 500? I don't think that's asking too much.

Of course, it would be nice if they finish out the season strong.

I think that the Pirates could have a chance at Wild Card....Of course it all depends on offseason moves and players progression during the offseason...They would look pretty good in the next couple of years if Craig Wilson becomes more of a monster than he is now.....and if the they kept the same team that they have....Its hard to say what will happen to the Pirates...but from the past, things have always looked like this, they looked as if they were going to be good really soon......maybe things will change during the next season.....we'll find out soon enough.....

Ha the Pirates r a joke 2 baseball. They will never in the next 10 yrs make the playoffs because their 2 cheap. They don't try and go get anyone of high caliber talent. Yeah they have some great prospects, but after 5 yrs the Yankees will have them or someone else. So what they r close .500 is that really an accomplishment. They r just down right terrible. They r the Pirates the team u yawn about the team who has no buzz about being close 2 the playoffs come October. Get rid of Kendall, get rid of the GM. the Pirates r losers and will b 4 life!