Annually, it seems, that the Pittsburgh Pirates ask this question. And, at least for 12 out of the past 13 years, the answer has been generally a resounding no. The only exception to that rule was 1997, when a young, rag-tag team of overachievers stayed in contention until the last week of the season in a very weak NL Central. Unfortunately, they continued their losing ways late, and ended yet another season with a losing record. Since 1992, the Pirates have been generally among the worst teams in the majors. That 1992 team had a few players on it you might recognized, highlighted by Barry Bonds. Yes - that Barry Bonds. Andy Van Slyke and Bobby Bonilla were also on that squad. But, after their third NLCS loss in a row, the team was disbanded for salary reasons, and the team basically fell completely apart. On the eve of the 2006 season, there is reason for hope in Pittsburgh. Not hope that they can compete for a WS title - that would be an unheard of feat in modern day baseball. But, there's hope that the Pirates can be competitive all year, even to the point of breaking their 13-year losing streak. But it must be asked - it is yet another year of false hope? The Pirates have the right combination of young players. They are led in the field by their SS Jack Wilson and RF Jason Bay. Bay was the NL Rookie of the Year two years ago, and last year posted solid numbers. But its the Pirates' wealth of pitching that has them poised for a breakout year. And yet, the problem with young pitching is that very often you just don't know what you're going to get out of them. Oliver Perez, Zach Duke, Paul Maholm, Kip Wells and others all seem to be ready to have stellar seasons. Lefties Perez and Duke have shown flashes of total brilliance and domination in their young careers. Duke was a rookie last year, and posted an 8-2 record in 14 appearances, with a sub-2.0 ERA. Perez was a strikeout machine in his rookie campaign, but took a step backwards last year, coming to training camp out of shape and never quite getting into a solid ryhthm throwing the ball. Then, in a temper tantrum, he broke a bone in his foot and was done for quite a while. Wells has been a total enigma for the Pirates for several years. The trouble with Kip is that one day he'll go out and throw so well that you're sure you are looking at an ace of the staff. And then you watch the next game....and you wonder how the guy ever made the major league roster. Perhaps a change in coaching will benefit Wells. Certainly, if it does, and he becomes a key member of the rotation, just having him throw with consistency will make the team better. The NL is pretty evenly matched from the middle levels to the top. There aren't many teams that look - on paper, at any rate - to be just flat out awful except for Florida. And maybe Cincinnati. Regardless, what's happening in the NL is that the best teams are coming back to the field, and the field itself has grown stronger. If that's the case, then do the Pirates have a legit chance of at least posting a winning season? I'd say that on paper, the answer is yes. I'm thinking they should win between 83 and 86 games this year. They'll probably finish 3rd or 4th in the NL Central. St. Louis will probably win the division again, although Chicago could do so if their pitching staff stays healthy. Regardless, the battle will probably be between Houston, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh for that middle of the road finish. Pittsburgh has some very tough teams in their division. St. Louis still has mashers on offense and very quality pitching. Chicago's pitching staff could emerge as one of the best in baseball, assuming (which seems to be a perennial statement for the Cubs) their arms stay healthy. Milwaukee came within a couple of games of breaking the .500 barrier, and brought back the majority of their young talent. Houston will be a big question mark - they lost key players, especially Roger Clemens, and their heart-and-soul guys are getting old. Cincinnati didn't do much, and so they are not expected to do much this year. But they do have a hopefully healthy Ken Griffey, Jr. If there's any hope for Pittsburgh to finish at or above .500, they are going to have to perform exceedingly well in their own division, which might be the toughest challenge of them all. The NL East will be interesting, what with the imported talent on the Mets, Philly's quality team and Atlanta's quality team. Washington has some big questions, and Florida just looks to be downright awful (again). The NL West could be interesting, unless Barry Bonds either gets injured or shows the world that steroids weren't a factor in his late-career power surge. If Bonds gets hurt, the Giants are done. If Bonds proves that it was his talent, and not artificial enhancers, that led to his career, then the Giants might sew up that division early. Los Angeles will stalk them all year, and could end up sneaking away with the division. All in all, I admit being more excited this year than in recent years about Pittsburgh. I just think they have enough talented arms, and enough offense, to scrape out more wins than in any year since 1992. I think they have a strong nucleus, and with a truly professional coach in Jim Tracy, a chance for breaking a long record of futility. Here's to hoping, anyhow...