Check out Bucco blogger Charlie Wilmouth's dead-on preview of the Pirates' season over at the Hardball Times. Charlie does a good job of laying out the key issues for the team this upcoming season, including the questionable impact of the incoming veterans, the uncertain performance of oliver perez and the pressure facing the young pitching staff. A good read.

While I agree with most, if not all, of Charlie's points, I still can't help feeling optimistic about the upcoming season. I have no logical reasons for my optimism, nor do I expect any miracles this season. No, my optimism is the kind of blind optimism that most baseball fans feel this time of year. The optimism of limitless possibilities. Of course, it's all nonsense. Deep down, I don't expect this team to do much to abate the downward spiral the orgainization has been in. No matter. I intend to wallow in my optimism for the time being. It won't be long before the bitter reality comes crashing back in.