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I searched through the last 25 years of Pirates history, 1982-2006, and assembled a squad. Despite the Pirates sketchy recent past of success on the field, there was enough quality to put together a rather competitive team.

Order Pos Player Year Ag OPS+
1 CF Barry Bonds 1992 27 205
2 LF Brian Giles 2002 31 173
3 C Jason Kendall 2000 26 125
4 RF Jason Bay 2005 26 148

5 1B Gary Redus 1989 32 141
6 3B Bobby Bonilla 1988 25 142
7 2B Johnny Ray 1984 27 121
8 Pitcher
9 SS Jay Bell 1993 27 123

According to the BaseballMusings Lineup Analysis, this lineup would score 6.843 runs per game. None of the players have an OPS+ below 121 and the outfield has OPS+ of 205, 173, and 148. Bobby Bonilla and Gary Redus have 142 and 141, respectively. Interesting note: Four of the players' last names start with "B" and four of the players' first names start with "J".

Bench
Role Player Year Ag OPS+
bOF Turner Ward 1997 32 159
bIF John Wehner 1991 24 124
PH Matt Stairs 2003 35 146
bC Craig Wilson 2000 24 149
dRp Jose Lind 1987 23 108

The bench had some good bats on it as well. Turner Ward had a tremendous 71 games in 1997. John Wehner and Jose Lind provide strong gloves with capable bats. Craig Wilson, originally a catcher, backs up Kendall and helps Ward and Matt Stairs provide some pop off the bench.

Starting Rotation
Role Pos Pitcher Year Ag ERA+
1 SP Rick Reuschel 1985 36 158
2 SP Denny Neagle 1996 27 144
3 SP Oliver Perez 2004 22 139
4 SP Zane Smith 1994 33 133
5 SP Francisco Cordova 1998 26 131

While there isn't a Pedro on this team, there are some very nice seasons. All of the pitchers are situated between 131 and 158 ERA+. Current Met, Oliver Perez was, once upon a time, quite the promising young pitcher.

Bullpen
Pos Pitcher Year Ag ERA+
CL Mike Gonzalez 2006 28 207
RP Scott Sauerbeck 1999 27 229
RP Kent Tekulve 1983 36 227
RP Rod Scurry 1982 26 214
RP Bill Landrum 1990 32 169
RP Pat Clements 1986 24 137
RP Dan Plesac 1995 33 122

What the starting rotation lacked in dominance, the bullpen makes up for. Mike Gonzalez was a shutdown closer in 2006, until an injury shut him down that is. Scott Sauerbeck and Kent Tekulve represent stellar seasons from the pen. Rod Scurry would be a capable long reliever.

This is a team us Pirates fans would love to see on the field in '07.

Learn more about this author, Timothy Moreland.
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