Here are Baseball Primer's computer projections for Pirates' perforances in 2005. Take them for what they're worth, but they're definitely worth checking out. Some of the key projections:
-Jason Bay and Craig Wilson will be the Pirates' top offensive players. No surprise there; what's noteworthy is that the Pirates seem hell-bent on getting rid of Wilson.
-Brad Eldred would hit 32 homers in full-time duty - but he'd put up an OBP of .300.
-Jose Castillo won't get any better.
-Ronny Paulino and Ryan Doumit will have similar numbers.
-Zach Duke would have a 3.73 ERA - but at least ZiPS thinks he won't get injured.
-Oliver Perez is projected to have a 4.32 ERA, but he's also projected to strike out a million batters. ZiPS therefore thinks he'll return to something closer to his 2004 form.
-ZiPS thinks Matt Capps, Brian Meadows, Jonah Bayliss and Mark Corey will all be better than Roberto Hernandez.
-Ian Snell will strike out a lot of batters and give up a ton of home runs.
-Kip Wells won't pull it together.