Ron Cook wrote a column today about the Pirates plan to build for the future by drafting.

Marc-Andre Fleury + Evgeni Malkin + Sidney Crosby + Jordan Staal = Stanley Cup.

Andrew McCutchen + Brad Lincoln + Pedro Alvarez + Jameson Taillon = ?????

A winning season?

Maybe more?

We can dream, right?

The Penguins proved the plan can work. Be bad for a long time. Accumulate high draft choices. Make smart selections. Have a little luck. (It's hard to imagine any team in any sport at any time being luckier than the Penguins when the Crosby ping-pong ball bounced their way). Coach 'em up. Reap the rewards.

If the Penguins can do it, so can the Pirates.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10159/1063987-63.stm#ixzz0qHzKkKbl

He still appears a little dubious and rightly points out the danger of injury to pitchers but this is a still a surprising step.

I'm just so proud of little Ronnie right now.