All the preseason publications pick the Pirates to finish last in the National League Central for a third straight season. Club president Frank Coonelly's message to the team: Don't believe everything you read.
"Everyone thinks that we're just supposed to give up on 2009, but that's the furthest thing from the truth," Coonelly told reporters after a 20-minute address to the team. "It's as (Pirates chairman) Bob Nutting said at the start of our winter caravan (in January), the expectation is that we're going to be better in 2009. Nothing else will be acceptable. "We're building this organization to win over the long haul, but we also want to win in 2009. The public perception may not be favorable in that regard, but there is no reason why we can't be successful this season."
Coonelly pointed to the Tampa Bay Rays, who went from having the worst record in the major leagues in 2007 to winning the American League pennant last season before falling to the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series.
"Nobody picked the Rays to win last season, but they believed in themselves and exceeded all the external expectations to play in the final game of the season," Coonelly said. "There is no reason we can't have the same expectation level with our club."
Coonelly also updated the players on what the Pirates have done to upgrade the overall talent level and commitment to winning. He is particularly happy the Pirates signed left-hander Paul Maholm, catcher Ryan Doumit and center fielder Nate McLouth to three-year contracts worth a guaranteed $41.75 million.
"We're willing to commit to the young players who fit what we're trying to do, and it shows that they believe in what we're trying to do by committing to us," Coonelly said.
WHERE, WHEN: McKechnie Field, Bradenton, Fla. The first exhibition game is Feb. 25 against Philadelphia at Bradenton.
TOP CANDIDATE TO SURPRISE: RHP Ross Ohlendorf is a big, strong and smart guy who has great stuff and seems ready to blossom at 26. He will get a much better opportunity as a starter with the Pirates than he did as a reliever with the Yankees, and he is primed to take advantage.
TOP CANDIDATE TO DISAPPOINT: LHP Tom Gorzelanny said the reason he went from winning 14 games in 2007 to posting a 6.66 ERA in 2008 is that he hid an elbow problem all season. Sore elbows often lead to major surgery, especially when it comes to Pittsburgh pitchers.
AUTHORITY FIGURES: Manager John Russell was 67-95 in his first season in 2008, and, although he is a patient person by nature, he says he expects a lot more out of his young players this year. He will rely heavily on new pitching coach Joe Kerrigan to fix a staff whose 5.08 ERA last season was the worst in the National League.
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