2007 Pirates Projected Lineup

2007 Pittsburgh Pirates

Batting Order

1. CF Chris Duffy
2. SS Jack Wilson
3. 2B Freddy Sanchez
4. LF Jason Bay
5. 1B Adam LaRoche
6. RF Xavier Nady
7. C Ronny Paulino
8. 3B Jose Castillo/Jose Bautista

The Pirates hope the newly acquired LaRoche can provide a major boost to a lineup that finished last in the National League in runs, as he hit a career-high 32 homers for Atlanta last season. Sanchez won the National League batting title with a .344 average last season while belting a league-leading 53 doubles. Bay has averaged 31 homers and 93 RBIs in his three full major league seasons. The Pirates believe Nady (.280 last season) and Paulino (.310) are ready to increase their power output this season to go along with high batting averages. Still to be decided is whether Bautista or Jose Castillo will win the starting job in the infield. The competition is wide open at the moment. Bautista could be the better bet from a fantasy perspective, but while he might deliver 20 homers, he probably wouldn't hit for average.

Rotation

1. Ian Snell
2. Zach Duke
3. Paul Maholm
4. Tom Gorzelanny
5. Tony Armas

The Pirates have had two young pitchers emerge over the last two seasons—Zach Duke and Ian Snell—and they have a firm grasp on the first two spots in the rotation. If Armas, Maholm, or Gorzelanny falters in spring training, Sean Burnett, Shane Youman, Shawn Chacon and RHP Marty McLeary will have a chance to grab a rotation spot. This is going to be a situation that fantasy owners will have to let develop throughout Spring Training.

Closer: Salomon Torres

Torres will take over the closer's role after Mike Gonzalez was traded in the offseason, and the Pirates are optimistic after he converted 12 of 13 save opportunities to finish last season. Kolb, who had 39 saves for Milwaukee in 2004, was signed as a free agent as insurance in the event Torres falters. Capps also could emerge as the closer if Torres struggles.