I am not a bandwagon fan I have given up on the Pirates for this season in reaching .500 Nor if they played the last 51 games(exactly like June) to be the modern day "Miracle Mets" and come back and win the division 7 games in 2011.

Four of the five starters have already pitched more innings in 2011 than they did in the entire 2010 season. Maholm is on pace to break his personal best innings pitched in a season.

Factor in your 2012 starting rotation on all possibilities. Examples: picking up Maholm's $9 million option/new three-year deal, $2 million starter Ohlendorf returning, Karstens due for a raise, trading any of them, not exercising arbitration years(I am not sure both are eligible) on McDonald or Morton, promoting Lincoln, Owens, Wilson.

Below is my 2012 starting rotation. Please list your own and give reasons on who it is in or out of your starting rotation.

1. Jeff Karstens(a solid pitcher for years to come not a one year wonder like player hater Zach Duke)

2. Ross Ohlendorf($2 million but is an innings eater compared to the rest of the staff)

3. Kevin Correia(I know he is pitching now like the second coming of the aforementioned Zach Duke)

4. James MacDonald(he averages just five innings per start and must develop a solid second and third pitch)

5. Brad Lincoln(I prefer him over both Rudy Owens and Justin Wilson)

I believe the Pirates(NUTTINGS) will not match Maholm's $9 million option nor a new deal. I also foresee a trade of Charlie Morton, Justin Wilson, or Rudy Owens hoping for a power bat in the outfield or first base.