Will the Pittsburgh Pirates, and other small market teams ever be able to compete?
440866
Only if the league introduces a salery cap like the NFL and the NHL
1157730
Yeah, that would be cool.  You'd get some good teams that don't always team together.  The Crockett Cup was good....Sting & Luger, The Koloffs, Midnight Express, Rock n' Roll Express, the Varsity Club.  Yeah, bring it back!
103476
Seems quite unlikely. At least One PA team knows how!
970135
Yes, it definately does. They have showed it recently before as well, going out and getting guys like Pudge Rodriguez, Kenny Rogers, and Magglio Ordonez. And with this acquisition, they filled the one glaring hole they had, which was a power home-run hitter who can fit into the middle of the lineup. If you remember from the World Series, they had trouble putting up runs. \n\nI think the GM Dave Dombrowski is trying to make this team a force to reckon with for many, many years.
558940
To tell you the truth, they need a lot of help so it is not likely that they will be in the near term. But on the plus side for them, they have assembled a  very good young pitching staff, which is a must for any team that wants to contend on a tight budget to have (Think of the A's when they had the big 3 of Mulder, Hudson, and Zito). They need to make better decisions on player evaluations, but I think that they do have a shot...
306582
Actually they have a pretty good team this year with sheets, turnbow, and c lee.  I can see them making a run at it this year but the cards are way to strong.  I bet in the next 2 to three years the be in it.
350340
The Cubs are always teasing when they beat anyone. The team will never win as long as they are owned by a corporation that only cares about profits. The team has more money than anybody, other than the Yankees, and they refuse to spend it on more pitching which is desperately needed in Wrigley.
643485
well the past few years, they have not had the talent to kick butt in the NL and make a move at the world series. This season there is tremendous promise from a talented core of young dynamite hitters and they do have enough pitching to make a run at it. Two teams will stand in their way- the st louis cardinals and the ny mets, both have talent pool respectively to setback the phillies. the phillies likely will get the wild card and very well could make the world series. if pujols and the rest of the cardinals hitters forget to show up again in the NL championship series again this year, then the phils are good enough to supplant them from the top. only time will tell but your team is exciting to watch- pat burrell and aaron rowand are two great players and the team is loaded with talent (they are abit young but hey they have a shot)\nDEFINATELY A SHOT BUT I WOULD RANK THEM THIRD BEST IN NL UP TO THIS POINT BEHIND STL AND NYM
1016246
Hmm.. why don't you try the actual website of the Pirates. :)  Or any of the other teams that they are playing.  Unless you are really concerned about seats, of which I am unable to know where to point you.  But I do know that any seat is good as long as it's gonna be a great game with whomever your going with. I do not know the link to the Pirates page or I would post here, but I bet you are clever and can do a search.  BTW they are playing in Chicago the first weekend in August. ;)  LOL\n\nHave fun at the game!!
1094613
They have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs as a WC team. The WS is going to be a tough place for them to get to, but it is possible. Remember the bad starts that they've had the last two years? They came back from those to reach the NLCS in '04 and then the WS in '05.\n\nThey have Clemens now, and will soon get Brandon Backe back into the rotation. Oswalt is pitching good, but getting little run support. Wandy Rodriguez has been amazing, and if he stays healthy this could be his break-out year. If Pettitte and the bullpen can find the groove they were in last year, look for the Astros in October.\n\nLike last year, this team is all about the pitching. The batting, although not as good as in '04, is doing much better than in '05. If Chris Burke stays hot, he might be the spark the lineup needs to catch fire. With Berkman and Ensberg healthy now, we might see more of that 19-9 type playing that they showed at the beginning of the season.
234088
I think things are looking up for the Pirates, with the hiring of Jim Tracy and the signings of Jack Wilson and Jason Bay to long-term contracts.  But, I'd be lying if I said I thought they would win a World Series soon.  I think a more reachable goal is .500, which after 13 losing seasons, would be a good thing.\nIn response to the answer given by rhinoloco3000, I care for the Pirates, and I am not the only one.  Over 1.8 million people attended their games at PNC Park last season, which was an increase of .2 million over 2004's figure.  Ticket sales are on track to be even higher this season.
328200
they have a chance, but are in a tough division. Pitt, Cinci and Balt are all looking like above 500 teams this year. if they can beat each tof these 3 teams, they'll have a chance
612385
Unfortunately, with the Royals, the problem runs much deeper than a couple of new ballplayers.\n\nI think that the Royals need a new ownership group, or at the very least, they need a serious infusion of capital in order to compete in the American League.  \n\nThey will never be able to compete with the likes of the Yankees or the Red Sox on a dollar-for-dollar level, but they can invest in their system, and improve their minor-league recruiting and scouting.  \n\nLook at how the Braves have built up their farm system and the quality of young players they've been able to bring up to the big leagues, and they've won how many division titles in a row?  The Dodgers in their heyday of the '70s and '80s were built through their farm system.  It's when they stopped believing in their system and started trying to buy players that they went downhill.
596687
Yes they can, and I wish they do but I'm not so sure they will... however as they are not my team and I just hate the lakers, I would advise you to keep your faith up untill they are actually out, my best Sports experience was not winning the World Series in 2004 with the Red Sox (It was great!!!!) but was beating the Yanks from being down 3-0, everything is possible in Sports keep up your faith and Good luck.
1076365
Maybe in 20-50 years. I think they are like the Saints, they are just doomed. How can you win 116 games in a season and not go to the "World" Series? I think they don't deserve to go for at least another 10-15 years just for that. That's just plain bad.
768360
It all comes down to the almighty dollar. The smaller schools don't bring as much revenue, no matter how good they are in a particular year. Look at Rutgers earlier this year. They beat, I think, the #2 team at the time, but were never going to get to play for a national championship. They have since faltered, but they are a good example.
329696
Yeah, I hope they do soon. Go Pirates!!! They will they just have to work harder for it and if they want it bad enough they will get there win....