Just how far away are the Pittsburgh Pirates from contending?
They certainly do not pass the eye test. This year’s tumult was the culmination of a former manager, general manager, and president’s career with the Buccos. Along with a multitude of injuries to supposed star players, the Pirates performed poorly and perhaps even worse than expected.
But if we recall, at the All-Star break the Pirates were just 2.5 games out of first place in the NL central with a record of 44-45 and a -36-run differential. Everyone in the central division was struggling, but the Buccos were doing enough to hang around.