Pittsburgh Pirates Are Overrated Going Into Opening Day 2016

I don’t like going against MVP-caliber players, but why is everyone so excited about the Pittsburgh Pirates this year? After Andrew McCutchen and Jung Ho Kang, the rest of the lineup is overrated. Starling Marte is good, but Gregory Polanco and Jody Mercer have never progressed into the elite players that they were projected to become.

I predicted a 79-83 season for the Pirates heading into spring training. With the difficulties of Ryan Vogelsong this spring, that may have been a bit optimistic. They lack a good fifth starter, even if you count Juan Nicasio. Tyler Glasnow and James Taillon are close in the minors, but neither is quite ready yet.

Mercer’s lack of offense is probably a worse sign for the Pirates than the starting pitching situation. With David Freese at third to start the season, Kang’s injury means that Mercer has to start every game. That means the infield offense will have to come from Josh Harrison and John Jaso until Kang gets healthy.

The outfield isn’t that much better. McCutchen is elite and Marte is well above replacement, but Polanco is barely above replacement level so far in his career. That isn’t to say that he doesn’t belong to remain a starter, but Michael Morse is the only offensive backup. If something happens to McCutchen or Marte, the Pirates are sunk. Matt Joyce is in camp with the Pirates. He has done his usual job of getting on base this spring.

The Pirates look like a .500 club after making the playoffs the past few years. With the NL Central getting ever more competitive, the Pirates haven’t kept up. The expectations are too high for the Pirates until the next wave of prospects is producing.