The Pittsburgh Pirates have experienced a drought when it comes to success in recent years. With four straight last-place finishes in the National League Central from 2019-2022, their hopes of contending seemed out of reach. Although they managed to climb out of the division basement last season, the Pirates finished fourth in a five-team division.
This struggling franchise has not made a postseason appearance since 2015, has not won a division title since 1992, and has not appeared in a World Series since 1979. However, as the team prepares to open spring training, there is a sense of optimism brewing within the Pirates organization.
Despite their setbacks, the Pirates believe they are not far off from contending. In the 2023 season, they finished with a 76-86 record, only eight wins behind the Arizona Diamondbacks, who secured the last NL wild-card playoff berth and made it to the World Series. This unexpected success has fueled the Pirates' belief that they can follow a similar path in the 2024 season.
Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates' elder statesman at 37, pointed to the Diamondbacks as a template for the Pirates' upcoming season. McCutchen acknowledges that few expected the Diamondbacks to make it to the World Series, but they defied the odds. He believes that the Pirates can achieve similar success by prioritizing good defense, strong pitching, and executing the fundamentals of the game.
The Pirates have shown signs of improvement with each passing season. Their 76-win campaign in 2023 represented a 14-game improvement from the previous year, where they finished with a 62-100 record. Prior to that, the team struggled with 61-101 and 19-41 records in 2021 and 2020 respectively.
The Pirates' progress has instilled a sense of confidence among the players for the upcoming season. Right-hander Mitch Keller expressed that their expectations are sky-high, and they are determined to win. With a cohesive group, the Pirates believe they can achieve something special.
The team finished strong last season, winning 18 of their last 31 games. Notably, they played a significant role in knocking division rivals, the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds, out of playoff contention during the final two weeks of the season.
While the starting rotation may be thin beyond Keller and the recently acquired veteran left-handers Marco Gonzales and Martin Perez, the Pirates have a potentially strong bullpen led by their back-to-back All-Star closer David Bednar. With the addition of seven-time All-Star Aroldis Chapman, the bullpen looks even more formidable.
The Pirates' lineup features several intriguing players, including second baseman Liover Peguero, third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, shortstop Oneil Cruz, left fielder Bryan Reynolds, center fielder Jack Suwinski, catcher Henry Davis, and the veteran presence of Andrew McCutchen.
Perhaps what may give the Pirates a chance to surprise as contenders is their division. The NL Central appears to lack a dominant team, offering an opportunity for the Pirates to make their mark.
Peguero expressed their main goal for the upcoming season: making it to the playoffs. With a young team gaining experience and the confidence gained from last year's strong finish, the Pirates believe that this year will be a significant turning point.
As the Pirates head into spring training, they are fueled by hope and determination. While their recent past may not inspire much confidence, the potential is there for this team to defy expectations and make a return to postseason success. Only time will tell if the Pirates can rise from the depths and make their presence felt in the NL Central.
