2012 Pirates MLB Season Odds
(The Spread) – Although they were plenty active this offseason, the Pittsburgh Pirates remain an average team and will find it tough to compete in 2012.
According to oddsmakers the Pirates are 80/1 to win the 2012 World Series and 25/1 to win the National League Pennant this season. They’re also 20/1 to win the National League Central Division and have an over/under of 73.5 for number of wins during the regular season.
The Pirates spent just over $20 million trying to improve their roster this past winter. Clint Barmes signed a two-year, $10.5 million deal with the Bucs, while Erik Bedard was added at one year and $4.5 million. Pittsburgh also signed Nate McLouth to a one-year, $1.75 million deal and added catcher Rod Barajas at one year and $4 million.
View Latest 2012 World Series Odds
Perhaps the biggest move the Bucs made this offseason was acquiring starter A.J. Burnett from the Yankees in exchange for outfielder Exicardo Cayones and reliever Diego Moreno. They also traded for Casey McGehee of the Brewers in exchange for Jose Veras, and acquired Yamaico Navarro from Boston in exchange for Brooks Pounders and Diego Goris.
OUTLOOK: Andrew McCutchen is worth the price of admission every night and the Pirates do have some nice pieces around him in Alex Presley, Jose Tabata and Neil Walker. But unless guys like Barmes and Garrett Jones overachieve, it’ll be another long season in Pittsburgh. The fact remains that this club isn’t really above average in anything and they’re counting on a starting rotation of Bedard, Burnett (when he’s healthy again), Jeff Karstens, James McDonald, Kevin Correia and Charlie Morton. That starting five won’t keep opposing hitters up at night. That said, the NL Central is down this year and the Pirates did have a nice first half last season. It would be a shock if they made the postseason this year but it’s not out of the realm of possibility either.
2012 Pittsburgh Pirates MLB Season Odds
World Series Odds: 80/1
National League Pennant ODds: 25/1
National League Central Odds: 20/1
MLB Season Win Total O/U: 73.5
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