The franchise with the longest string of losing seasons in the majors has started a respectable 7-5 and sits only behind the Cardinals in the NL Central.

Led by a young, talented outfield and a scrappy infield the Pirates have put up some runs. But perhaps even more surprisng is their pitching so far.

Zack Duke looks like his old self. The lefty ace is 2-0 and has thrown 19 innings over 3 starts and allowed just five runs. In fact it was his best start of the year when he did not even record a win, though the team did.

Paul Malholm has been a solid #2 so far and the bullpen has been excellent.

Brendan Donnelly has looked like his Angels self (or lsat years Marlins version) rather than the one that labored in Cleveland. He provides a veteran presence in the bullpen. Combined with Evan Meek, Ross Ohlendorf, and Jack Taschner the Pirates have been solid in the late innings.

If/how long they can keep this pace up will be a big question mark, but at least the Pirate fans can revel in some early season positives and hope that management will finally keep this core intact for the long haul.

Andrew McCutchen is on his way to being a sure super star…right? He had an outstanding rookie campaign in 2009 and showed flashes of brilliance. He’s going to be a terror on the bases, and he sure showed he could swing the bat a bit, while flashing what could be a real “golden” glove in the near future. I’m sure everyone has the same question running through their mind. When are the Pirates going to trade him to “start over?” Is it going to happen next year? Two years from now? 4 years from now? Well- I’ll what I can to silence Pittsburgh doubt, but I don’t think the Pirates are going to trade him and will look to lock up the youngster for a long time- similar to what the Rays did with Evan Longoria. Can I be sure in that statement? Eh- I’m trying to make myself believe it. Listen, the point of the statement is simply this- eventually Pittsburgh has to get out of it’s rebuilding stage and make a run. They have an outstanding stadium to say the least, and they have more money than they let people believe- it’s simply going to take a couple risky signings, and a couple other developments and Pittsburgh can definitely find it’s way back to the promised lands. It might take some time- but with McCutchen already there, and star number 2 on the way- it might be sooner rather than later.

Has anyone seen Pedro Alvarez take BP? Holy Cow. The ball jumps off his bat. Forget his superman strength, forget his high draft position, and forget the Pirates almost didn’t sign him due to some shady business going on by the ever popular Scott Boras. Just remember that this is the guy that’s supposedly going to save the franchise. Alvarez can rake- there’s no denying it, there’s nothing to be afraid of. He’s going to hit for a ton of power at the big league level- probably unreal power. The question is- when are the Pirates going to bring him up? Well- it’s time. The season is about here, and I don’t know (well…I do know how they COULD send him to AAA and it’s all economics) how they can tell their best hitter to pack up his stuff and head to AAA for more “seasoning.” The time is now for this young man to be recognized as one of the best prospects in baseball. He could bring a ridiculous amount of pop to a pretty pathetic lineup outside of a player or two, and with some insane talent, and some big games- maybe fans will remember that there is a baseball team in Pittsburgh. And if fans remember there’s a team, maybe ownership will spend some of that revenue. Anyone see the effect here? Maybe that’s a ton of pressure on a young kid, but he’s a man in a young man’s body. He’s ready physically and he’s ready mentally to show people that his BP power is the real thing. I hope that Pittsburgh can keep these young kids and return to some form of greatness in a couple years, because it’s going to be a shame if they’re both traded to bigger marketed teams- yeah I’m talking about you New York Yankees.

What the league is in dire need of however, is immediate reform to the Revenue Sharing Policy that was established in 1997. The policy was a measure taken by current commissioner Bud Selig to help create a competitive balance between small-market and large-market organizations. The idea of the policy is for the larger-market teams—such as the Yankees—to pay the league a set amount of revenue that will go toward the likes of teams such as the Pirates, Royals, Marlins, Rays, and Blue Jays to help “improve the product on the field”.

Problem is, owners aren’t necessarily using these funds for the intended purpose. Or at least by what is indicated by the numbers. For instance, the Pittsburg Pirates—current laughing stock of the league—received about $40M from revenue sharing, and an additional $35M from the league’s central fund (revenue from licensing, properties, national TV, and advanced media). This puts the club with already $75M in the bank, without taking into account the money generated from local networking. Given that the Pirates had a payroll somewhere in the ballpark of $48M, that would leave them with about a $27M profit before the selling of one ticket. Question is: where is this money going?

Yes, granted, the Yankees blow the most money in professional sports, and the amounts the Steinbrenner’s have injected into the franchise could more than likely support a third world country for a generation. But at least they put it toward improving the team and organization for their fans. I have more respect for that than for an owner who does nothing to be competitive and instead makes the claim that they’re losing money and to compensate must trade away all of their best players and start over. In fact, due to the luxury tax—a levy placed on the maximum payroll one team can have—the Yankees are benefitting the MLB and its affiliated clubs with their exorbitant spending; since 2003 the Yankees have paid $174M of the tax’s $190M revenue.

Why not tax the minimum payroll as well?

Prevent teams and owners such as the Pirates from abusing the privilege they have through the revenue sharing policy and tax them if they do not adequately use that money to improve upon the field. This will give incentives to owners who have grown accustom to pocketing the cash and doing with it what they please.

Case and point: do not cry for a salary cap with the basis that the Yankees spend too much money and that it’s “not fair” for teams with smaller markets. The fact of the matter is that the Yankees have been the lifeblood of the smaller market organizations for years now and to blame them would be to bite the hand that feeds. Put the blame on the fraudulence of the owners and call for reform that will negate the corruption behind their methodology.

Key losses- Rich Harden, Milton Bradley, Kevin Gregg, Aaron Miles, Aaron Heilman. Jake Fox

Key additions- Carlos Silva, Marlon Byrd, John Grabow (re-signed)

Off-season grade- C

Justification- Considering the circumstances I think the Cubs have come out okay this off-season. Getting Silva for Bradley hurts, but getting $9 million from Seattle and getting Marlon Byrd to a reasonable contract helps soften the blow. The pitching staff took a hit with the loss of Rich Harden. The Cubs didn’t need a complete overhaul considering the core from the 2008 team is still in place. Marlon Byrd allows Fukudome to go back to right field where he becomes an above average right fielder. This grade could improve if/when they sign a platoon partner for Kosuke and another pitcher.

St Louis Cardinals

Key losses- Joel Piniero, Mark DeRosa, Troy Glaus, Khalil Greene

Key additions- Matt Holliday (Re-signed), Brad Penny

Off-season grade- B

Justification- Anytime you can get a player of Holliday’s caliber below market value you have had a good off-season.  There is a slight drop-off from Piniero to Penny. The loss of DeRosa creates a hole at third base. That being said the Cardinals look to be the favorites in the NL Central this season.

Cincinnati Reds

Key losses- Jonny Gomes

Key additions- Scott Rolen (Re-signed) and Aroldis Chapman

Off-season grade- C

Justification- The Scott Rolen deal is a nice pickup for them. He is still a solid defensive third baseman, which should help out their young pitching staff. The Aroldis Chapman signing is a good move for the future, but will probably not provide much for the 2010 season.

Milwaukee Brewers

Key losses- Mike Cameron, JJ Hardy

Key additions- Carlos Gomez, Randy Wolf, LaTroy Hawkins

Off-season grade- C

Justification- Randy Wolf is a solid addition to the Brewers staff. However, the loss of Cameron negates the signing of Wolf. LaTroy Hawkins provides a decent arm for the bullpen even if they did overpay.

Houston Astros

Key losses- Miguel Tejada, LaTroy Hawkins, Jose Valverde

Key additions- Brandon Lyon, Matt Lindstrom, Pedro Feliz

Off-season grade- D

Justification- The acquisition of Lindstrom is a nice low risk/high reward trade. The problem is that they overpaid for Brandon Lyon. An average of $5 million a year for a middle reliever is never a good idea. I also question the logic of spending money on Feliz in a year they are not expected to contend.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Key losses- Matt Capps

Key additions- Bobby Crosby, D.J. Carrasco, Brendan Donnelly, Ryan Church, Akinori Iwamura, Octavio Dotel

Off-season grade- C

Justification- They didn’t make any splashy moves, but I consider these low risk moves. I don’t expect them to contend for a division title in 2010, but this team looks better than it did at the end of 2009. They did a good job of improving the bullpen this off-season. This team should improve enough that more people should start paying attention to the team and I think that should count for something.

I obviously think the world of this guy as I had him on this decades “all decade team” and with that prediction comes responsibility. I love this guy. He has some outrageous power, he’s got an average glove, but below average range. I think eventually he’ll move across the diamond. Sky is the limit.

2) Tim Alderson- SP

Got him in the Freddy Sanchez deal last year.  He’s only 20 but he seemed to lose some of his stuff last year which is a little concerning, but being so young- theres no reason to think he can’t get it back. Command is his upside as I don’t think he’ll be striking out an abundance of guys.

3) Tony Sanchez-C

I didn’t like the pick of Tony out of USC at the time, but he’s a pretty solid defensive catcher and frankly- his bat isn’t all that bad. I don’t think he’s going to be this all star guy- but he could be extremely servicable. Maybe a Yadier Molina type player.

4) Jose Tabata-OF

Young and Exciting. He’s got some good pop and the Pirates are excited about him being in the outfield with A-Mac in 2011. Big year in terms of development. A bad year will set him back quite a bit.

5) Brad Lincoln-SP

I don’t see this guy as the front line starter Pittsburgh thinks he could be. I think he could be a 155 inning 4 or a 5…maybe a long reliever/spot starter. I don’t bank on this guy being all that impressive, but nonetheless- there is some talent there and what’s wrong with being a 4 or a 5 anyway?

6) Rudy Owens- SP

I like this kid. Left handed power pitcher. He might have been a little too hittable which means he’s not throwing enough quality strikes early in counts, but when he gets to 2 strikes- He’ll punch you out. Gotta enjoy that upside. Has some pretty good velocity (92-95).

7) Ronald Uviedo-SP/RP

Awesome arm. If he can develop a second quality pitch, he could end up being a heck of a closer. If I were a betting man- I’d bet him to be a late inning reliever in a few years.

8) Starling Marte- OF

Maybe their most athletic prospect, so why am I listing him at 8? He has zero and I mean less than zero understanding of the strike zone. If a Pitcher makes a mistake- he’ll hammer it. But if he continues to fall behind in counts as consistently as he is- pitchers at higher levels will eat him alive.

9) Gorkys Hernandez-OF

Got him in the Nate trade last year with Atlanta. Reports are saying he’s starting to tail off. I’m going to go out on a limb and say he’s going to respond in 2010 and force his way to the bigs.

10) Zach Von Rosenburg-SP

Young. Very Young. Very Green. I’ll tell you what though- he might be a future ace if he develops. He reminds me a little bit of Casey Kelly from Boston but frankly- its to soon to tell.