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Pittsburgh Pirates Fans Show Confidence in Club Through Polls

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Alan Draper
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Sports Editor
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Pittsburgh Pirates fans took to twitter to answer our many 2017 polls. Their answers show a great deal of confidence in the club.

Pirates Breakdown took to our Twitter feed yesterday with a variety of polls designed to put a finger on the pulse of the Pittsburgh Pirates fan base.

We asked you a variety of questions on both a team and player level. Your answers show a great deal of confidence in the club, with some caveats along the way.  Let’s review.

The Most Important Question Of Them All

We started off by asking you to gauge the Pirates’ win total.

By a wide margin, Pittsburgh Pirates fans and observers feel that the team as currently constructed is one capable of a winning record at the very least. Perhaps that’s the most accurate way to view the club at this point. When producing, the team’s lineup can be effective. The starting pitching has been stabilized – though many believe there is more work to do – and the bullpen could once again be a strength.

All of this points to a club that has the potential to win anywhere from 84 to 90+ games. Pittsburgh Pirates fans are confident of that.

Pitching Particulars

We asked you to gauge the performances and circumstances regarding both the bullpen and the starting pitching. Here are a few of the polls, with some quick thoughts:

Many fans feel that Gerrit Cole will the be de facto Opening Day starter. The ‘honor’ of being the first starter to launch a pitch in the regular season is an arbitrary one, but after a challenging season in 2016, Cole may appreciate the vote of confidence that an opening day nod brings.

Curiously enough, Pittsburgh Pirates fans still aren’t sold on Cole’s ability to stay healthy. Having pitched 200 innings just once in his four years, Cole’s up-and-down health leads many to believe that Ivan Nova will lead the club in innings.

Our next two polls go hand in hand.

Despite totaling 70+ appearances in each of the last three years, many feel that Tony Watson is as durable as they come. Watson had his share of struggles at times last year, but remained healthy. How much longer can he continue to be a work horse before his body finally fights back?

The other side of that coin shows a ready-made option should Watson spend time on the DL or be traded. Felipe Rivero is a fire-balling left-hander that could easily be projected in the closing role, though a better role might be in the cards.

Back to the rotation for a moment. Our next poll shows just how much can change in a year.

Tyler Glasnow‘s luster has dulled to the point that many feel he will not begin 2017 in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ rotation. Once thought to be an untouchable prospect, Glasnow also has seen his name pop up in various trade rumors.

This result is a function of seeing Glasnow struggle as well as the continued inability to develop a third pitch – an absolute necessity for any starting pitcher. It must be noted that this poll does not indicate that fans feel that Glasnow won’t be on the 25-man. He could start in the bullpen, a role which some feel he may be better suited for.

Hitters Gonna Hit?

Our next batch of polls focuses on the hitters, and we start with a big one.

The renewed fire in Andrew McCutchen may have helped fans find their way towards a good deal of optimism towards his 2017 season. If the Pittsburgh Pirates enter 2017 with McCutchen in tow – and it certainly looks that way – a successful season for McCutchen will not only help the club on the field, but it will pump up his value for the next round of trade buzz.

  • Starling Marte had a ‘weird year’ in 2016. It was a productive one, but many found his run production lacking. However, in Marte’s case, it may not matter as he can do so many things well. Still, a bit more power can go a long way.

  • After a clean 2015, Francisco Cervelli lost some time in 2016 due to injury. The Pirates will need him to remain healthy, and fans aren’t too concerned.

  • John Jaso saw the most plate appearances of his career last season. It was no coincidence that he slumped for a long portion of the year. Some newfound positional versatility may help Jaso reach the 450 PA mark, but he will have to show an ability to stay productive.

  • Despite his off-the-field troubles, Jung Ho Kang had a successful 2016 season, in that he returned from injury and made the same strides that a second-year player would. Fans are cautiously optimistic that he can continue to build on his previous sucess.

Minor Matters

Presented without comment, here are several polls regarding some prized prospects and other minor league matters.

Follow us on Twitter for the best Pittsburgh Pirates conversation in 2017.

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Alan Draper

Alan is a vastly experienced sports and gambling writer who is the Chief Editor of The Sports Daily.
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Alan Draper

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Alan is a vastly experienced sports and gambling writer who is the Chief Editor of The Sports Daily.
View All Posts By Alan Draper
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