Pirates Broadcaster Bob Walk: "Pirates Are Best Overall Team In NL Central"
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan) - Pirates broadcaster and former pitcher Bob Walk joined The Cook and Poni Show on Tuesday as the Pirates are conducting their first full squad workouts in Bradenton.
Walk says the players have been looking forward to getting back to Bradenton because this is a team that has high aspirations for the upcoming season and there is a real reason to be feeling optimistic for this team in 2015.
"This is the best team on paper that really they have had since the early '90s," Walk said. "Everyone is so anxious to get out there and show it."
Walk said the St. Louis Cardinals still make the best case to have the best starting pitching in the National League Central Division and possibly the league, but the Pirates might have the better team.
"I think the Pirates are the best overall team in the central," Walk said. "I certainly think we can handle what the Cardinals can throw out, but everyone is going to be tough. This has been the toughest division for the past few years."
Walk told the guys that Pedro Alvarez and how he bounces back this year could be a huge factor in the Pirates already powerful offense.
"That is one of those question marks you hope is on the good side," Walk said. "I have my fingers crossed he gets back to being that HR guy. If that is the case this offense can be outstanding. If he can hit 30 HR and 100 RBI this might be the best offense in the league."
Walk also talked to the guys about the options for the starting rotation and the potential battle between Vance Worley and Jeff Locke for that fifth spot.