How is it Possible?

How is it possible that after one month of baseball the Oakland A's and Baltimore O's are having success and in 2nd place in their respectful divisions?  I bring this up because they pretty much exploded their teams.  Baltimore traded away their ace and one of the best shortstops in the league, and everyone (including myself) thought that the A's would be like a AAA club after trading away just about everyone. 

And back in the Burgh' we can't ever cross over to the positive side of that dreaded.500 mark.   Will we as fans still be waiting for our "talented" young core of starting pitching to develop in two years when they are 30!!!!! 

Sorry, I just had to vent a little.  I can't stand to give up 9 runs to the offensively challenged Nats.  I mean Christian Guzman = 6 RBIS today!!!  He had more today than Laroche has this whole entire season. 

I definitely feel you here man, it is frustrating to the point where its hard to say that I'm a Pirates fan with any pride anymore.  I can't even say, that they're the team I grew up with, because I still feel ashamed.  Its not because they are a AAA team or because the players out there are head cases, its because we haven't been able to put anything together consistently for the last decade.

I don't want to give up on this campaign yet.  McLouth and Nady are realy playing well, at least in the games that I've been able to catch this year.  Our pitching is spotty, but that happens.  They aren't top dollar pitchers, but in games like the one the buccos lost today, they could have pulled it off if they were a winner.  Winning teams win games like that, because they can't stand losing.  That's an attitude that the buccos are lacking.  I'm not giving up.  However, I'm afraid that if Jack doesn't come back, we don't bring up a 1B who can actually play like a major leaguer batting in the middle of the order, and our pitchers can cut down on the early game implosions, this team will give up sooner than they have been lately.

It does say something that this team was in it even after a bad start by Paul.  If our starters can cut down on bad starts, and the bats can make up for them, we're talking about at least a 10-15 game swing from wins to loses.  Just like other major league teams out there.

frusttrating indeed...

however, i'll take a stab at it. baltimore did trade away tejada and bedard but in exchange they got FIVE players who are on their roster right now and a 6th who is knocking on the door(michael costanza-i get to hear what a great prospect he is everyday listening to the local tides broadcasts here in norfolk, va). we on the other hand have very little to show from the trades of Jason Schmidt, Aramis Ramirez, etc.

as for oakland, i don't know. just looked at their roster and i'm still scratching my head. they have Rajai Davis. ain't that a hoot??? and didn't Frank Thomas and his .167 BA just get released? i guess matt morris is gonna be their staff ace by the all-star break. seriously though, oakland has apretty strong farm system(we don't) and billy beane(is he still their GM) is pretty shrewd.

perhaps coonelly needs to read the baseball abstract and consult with bill james on the fine art of sabermetrics before making any roster moves.