Atlanta Series - What Could Have Been?

Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Pirates for earning a tough split from the Braves in Atlanta.  It easily could have been a sweep by the Pirates.  I won't rehash the Jerry Meals blown call, but I will focus on the Pirates offensive struggles.

This was supposed to be the week where we found out a lot if the Pirates were truly contenders.  I think the pitching has proven they are playoff caliber, especially the bullpen.  The team has also proven the offense is anything but.

It's a shame this team hasn't addressed the offense yet, continuing to trot Lyle Overbay out there at first base.  He was 2 for 16 in this series, with 3 walks and zero RBI.  Zero....point.....zero.  When your pitcher Kevin Correia has more RBI in a series than your starting first baseman does, that's a problem.

Not only that but he didn't even try leaving the bag to grab that errant throw by Ronny Cedeno in tonight's game.  If not for a solid double play on the next at bat, that could have been a big inning for the Braves and we might be talking about a loss instead. 

I know there are people out there calling the Pirates a fluke, and perhaps they may be right, The fact remains though that the Pirates are winning games with solid defense, strong pitching, and less than timely hitting.  They need offensive help right now, even if it's more contact guys that can keep getting on base.

I wouldn't mind seeing them make a few moves.  First would be to finally admit the Overbay experiment is a failure and dump him.  He's not hitting and his defense is not at the level it should be either.  Try prying away a guy like Paul Konerko from the White Sox.  He's an older veteran who could boost the experience level in the clubhouse as well as add some much needed pop in the lineup. 

Consider bringing up some internal options.  Xavier Paul looked lost on defense at times tonight.  Maybe it's time to bring Gorkys Hernandez or John Bowker and see what they can do.  Let the calls for Matt Hague continue.  He couldn't be any worse than Overbay at this point.

I am well aware the trade market is rather thin, and I don't want the Pirates to grossly overpay, but there are some solid options that could be made to improve this team, and the fans deserve to see something after being extremely patient with the Pirates for 18 years of awful baseball.

The Bucs let at least one or two games slip away in Atlanta because of their offense.  Stop the bleeding and make something happen.