In a recent ESPN column (registration required), Peter Gammons highlighted the six teams to watch this year. The Pirates were listed second. Gammons points to the team's young pitching (guided by new pitching coach Jim Colbrun), improved depth and the development of youngsters like Jose Castillo, Ryan Doumit and Chris Duffy as promising signs of improvement. I don't particularly share Mr. Gammons' rosy view of the Bucs' prospects this season, but it is always nice to see the team get some love from the media. It remains to be seen if they can back it up.

In the same column, Gammons polled over 50 executives, managers, coaches and scouts on several questions. Mike Gonzalez ranked seventh among those players thought to be the most likely to breakout this year (Jose Castillo received an honorable mention). Oliver Perez and Kip Wells received honorable mention for those players most likely to have the biggest comeback this year.