Bucco Blog's 2006 Pirate Sleepers and Foolers

Here is Bucco Blog's list of Sleepers and Foolers for 2006:

Sleepers

1. Jack Wilson. I have already written that I believe Jack will be the biggest beneficiary of the added pop in the lineup, as long as Tracy bats him second.
2. Sean Casey. Sure, everyone expects Sean to do well, but PNC's vast gaps will allow Casey to put up 2000 type of numbers early in the year. Add to that the fact he is in a contract year and wants an 'old fart 5-year deal' and Casey will be singing in the rain early on.
3. Humberto Cota. Team confidence will boil over allowing Cota to have a break out year. He was almost delegated to a backup role this year behind Doumit and he sees Paulino running his way. Look for big numbers offensively and an excellent CS rate.
4. Tom Gorzelanny. You might want to add Tom to your fantasy team now as the 25th player because he is going to absolutely dominate AAA batters and be called up in June or July, ending the year with 10 wins. Mark this one down.
5. Oliver Perez. A big fat four or five-year contract Littlefield delivers to him right before the season opener charges Ollie's batteries and he starts throwing like 2004. Look for 15 wins from Ollie this year.
6. Paul Maholm. Fans will be forgetting the name Duke by July and saying Maholm instead *if* he stays healthy.

Foolers

1. Ian Snell. Trade him NOW Dave while he has some value.
2. Jose Castillo. Jose always opens eyes in spring training with his bat but then never delivers during the year. This year will be no different. Also look for an abnormal amount of miscues, dropped relays, and other forgetful type plays from Jose on defense.
3. Zach Duke. You have to love him. You have to add him to your fantasy team. But, if you do, you better trade him by July 1. Mark this one down.
4. Mike Gonzalez. Poor Mike is being thrust into the closer's role and he still can't find the plate. How many walks with the bases loaded will Tracy have to see before Mike goes back to being a setup man?
5. Jeromy Burnitz. Oh, this fat cat will come out of the starting gates like a ball of fire and promptly sink like a lead ball in water. He will end up being one of the worst Littlefield FA acquisitions ever. Sit back and smile Craig Wilson because you'll have to take over for the big guy in May.
6. Jason Bay. Everything tends to fall back to the mean and Bay will be no exception. Add to his batting regression from being put in the four hole, his poor defensive plays, and the Pirates will be outscored by a ton in 2006.

Projected record: 73 - 89, with Gorzelanny winning the last game keeping them from a 90 loss season.