PSR Showdown
Can The Pirates Actually Make A Playoff Push?

Plan The Parade
By Paul Alexander
Fox Sports Pittsburgh

There have been two or three occasions over the last few years that I predicted ticker tape parades in Pittsburgh because the Pirates would win more than they lost. Will they make a liar out of me again? Not this time.

GM Dave Littlefield targeted three specific areas to address during the off-season and he upgraded all three.

The biggest acquisition was The Mayor, Sean Casey. I've said it ever since he hit the first-ever home run in PNC Park: Sean Casey was made to play in this ball park. Being the nicest guy in the majors won't translate into wins, but he is a career .300 hitter with some pop. Jeremy Burnitz is an every day right fielder that can actually play the position and hit for power. What a concept. And Joe Randa is the third baseman the Pirates should have never let get away. Don't confuse him with Scott Rolen, but don't discount what a solid presence he will bring to the hot corner.

With Zach Duke, Oliver Perez and Paul Maholm, the Pirates have the potential to pitch pretty well. They lack a proven closer, but between John Grabow, Damaso Marte and Roberto Hernandez, the Pirates can come at you with some filthy stuff late in games.

Jason Bay will once again be Jason Bay. He certainly deserves more love in terms of national recognition and MVP consideration. Jack Wilson will be much better offensively than he was last year. Jose Castillo? He is simply the best all around player on the team, and this could be the year that he and the rest of baseball realize that.

It has become cliche to say that catcher Ryan Doumit is a liability behind the dish. Stop it. The guy was the best defensive catcher in double-A two years ago. He'll be fine given his experience last season.

Finally, two words to convince you that this is the year the losing ends: Jim Tracy. He will be the catalyst that turns it around. Tracy is the absolute breath of fresh air this team desperately needed.

The Pirates will be above .500 when the All-Star game rolls into town in July, and we'll be talking about chasing a possible a wild card spot in August.

Plan the parade.

Paul Alexander is a reporter for Fox Sports Pittsburgh and a regular contributor to the Pittsburgh Sports Report.

Not Just Yet
By Bill Toth
Sports Network

Yes, the year was 1992. The Dream Team won the Olympic gold medal and the movie "Basic Instinct" was a top 10 hit. It was also a good year for Pittsburgh sports. The Penguins swept the Blackhawks to win the Stanley Cup and the Pirates won the National League East. It was also the last year that the Pirates made the playoffs and the last time they finished with a winning record. It has been 12 years since the Buccos have accomplished that feat and now we are talking about a playoff push? Easy folks.

Yes, the Pirates did make some nice moves with the acquisition of Sean Casey, Jeremy Burnitz and the re-signing of Jason Bay-but not enough moves to talk playoffs. Not just yet.

My main problem with this team is the two P's - starting pitching and relief pitching. We all know that good pitching wins baseball games and the Houston Astros were a perfect example of that.

Let's take a look at the starting pitching. Yes, Zach Duke and Paul Maholm had good seasons last year, but between them they only had 20 starts. To me, 20 starts doesn't indicate much-only the fact that other teams haven't figured you out yet. Veteran Kip Wells is back, but it seems like he got beat up (5.09 ERA in 2005) more than the piñata at my daughter's birthday party. Then we get to Oliver Perez. He has vowed to work harder and return to his previous form, but I am concerned about how he recently pitched in the Mexican Winter League. Let me just say that his stats from there won't overwhelm you: 0-4, 4.44 ERA.

The second P is another concern. Who will be the closer? Jose Mesa is gone and it looks like either Damasco Marte or Robert Hernandez will wind up in the role. These were actually solid acquisitions, but we are not sure if either of these guys can fit the closer role.

There are just too many questions that surround this pitching staff, and if the Pirates want to make a playoff push they will have to have those questions answered. And entering spring training, they've simply not been.

Pittsburgh native Bill Toth is an analyst for the Sports Network in Maryland.