What exactly is this team? Trending downward and headed toward a rebuild? Or a piece or two (better starting pitching, bullpen) away from being a division/first Wild Card contender?
-- Jonathan, New Florence, Pa.
The Pirates seem to believe it's the latter, because there's no hint of a traditional, tear-down "rebuild." They've tried to compete while introducing a group of young players over the past two years, and most of their current core -- aside from Andrew McCutchen -- is under control through at least 2019.
If the Bucs bring back a similar roster next season, which I would expect, some will point to the "definition of insanity" argument -- doing the same thing and expecting different results.