The Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates finished the 2011 season with a 72-90 record. They don't seem to be making much progress in the off season, but they're chances of a winnings season may improve in 2012.

Yesterday The Pirates traded 2 young minor league players and $13 million in salary relief to The Yankees. In return The Pirates received veteran pitcher AJ Burnett. The Pirates are hoping to get better results over the remaining 2 years in Burnett's contract than the Yankees did. AJ is an innings eater; pitching close to 200 innings a season. Since the Pirates don't have very effective pitching AJ will be a big help.

The Pirates don't really have any notable offensive players besides Andrew Mccutchen. Mccutchen is only 25 and his statistical trends are looking good. He is a great defensive center fielder and with the offense he provides, he is great overall center fielder. Look at the positive progression of his stats:

2009: 108 games, .365 OBP, 12 HR, .471 SLG, 22 SB
2010: 154 games, .365 OBP, 16 HR, .449 SLG, 33 SB
2011: 158  games, .364 OBP, 23 HR, .456 SLG, 23 SB

Mccutchen has been very consistent and now the home runs are starting to enter his game. If the Pirates can get more players on base, Mccutchen can drive them in and win more games.

With the NL Central looking like the dullest division, The Pirates may have a chance to break that curse of 19 consecutive loosing seasons. All they need is a record of 81-81.