Pirates in 2012

Does anyone still read this blog anymore? Oh well, I need something to share my opinions so I guess this is it...

Now that the Pirates have the #1 pick (Anthony Rendon), Pedro Alvarez proved he is not a major league third basemen, and 2011 will be another wasted season, here is what we could possibly see in 2012:

LF Tabata
RF Marte
CF McCutchen
1B Alvarez
3B Rendon
2B Walker
C Sanchez
SS Free Agent, Trade, Ciricao, D-Arnaud, or someone else

I'm sure they can sign a SS, but that looks like a damn fine lineup. Lambo and Grossman (trade chips?) are in the mix for that RF spot as well. It's not the Yankees, but I think it could compete with anyone in the Central.

Pitching... that's another story. Ohlendorf and McDonald could become 2-3 pitchers, then we need one or two of the "Altoona Guys" to step up (Owens, Watson, Locke, Morris, Wilson). Of them, I think only Morris has the upside to be a 2-4 pitcher. Lincoln could probably sneak in as a no. 5, but we would still lack a #1 until Allie or Taillon come up. So.. we sign a decent SP and try to get a SS and we have a "potential" division winning team. Of course, there are a lot of ifs... Rendon has to be MLB ready in 2 years (which I think is possible), the defense needs to improve, Marte and Sanchez need to continue developing at the pace they are now, injuries need to be avoided, and management's pockets need to loosen up. But.. there is more hope now than there has been in 18 years. Right??