While Neal Huntington’s work has the Pirates positioned well for a turnaround circa 2012 or so, his evaluation of players in certain trades seems inaccurate in hindsight. Unfortunately, along with his celebrated wins at the exchange came these four losses.

At the trade deadline, Neal Huntington made it relatively clear that 2011 will be another year for evaluation. If the Pirates are ever going to play competitive baseball, it likely won’t be until 2012. Here’s my take on an Opening Day lineup for next year.

It’s the top of the 12th inning. You’re deadlocked at five runs. Your opponent, the Milwaukee Brewers, brings in a left-handed pitcher, starter-turned-reliever Manny Parra. You have the heart of the order due up. What’s the call?

All numbers that point to this being the darkest day in recent Pirates history. A record-breaking shutout loss, eclipsing a standard that stood for a century. A three-game series of absolutely one-sided baseball. A Pythagorean expectation so pessimistic that it’s quite literally unbelievable.

Hosts Cory Humes and Alan Smodic go around the diamond and discuss players’ performances and managerial tendencies through the Pirates’ opening series against the Dodgers. And, as is often the case, the focus turns toward the future, as the 2010 season will be spent as an extended tryout for what’s certain to be a competitive 2011 team.

There are reasons to be optimistic about the Pirates as currently constructed. Ron Cook, and other curmudgeons like him, just need to consider players in the proper perspective.

In Andy LaRoche, Pedro Alvarez, Jeff Clement, Neil Walker, Steve Pearce and Garrett Jones, the Pittsburgh Pirates have a number of interesting corner infield options for 2010 and beyond.