What went right
For most of the season, an unbelievable amount of things. Andrew McCutchen's development into a legitimate MVP-caliber superstar is complete. Pedro Alvarez has become the big-time power threat that the Pirates had long hoped he would. Neil Walker is a very solid second baseman, the bullpen is very strong and A.J. Burnett greatly improved in his move to a new home. Also, Michael McKenry is a good power presence behind the plate, Garrett Jones still provided steady power, and Starling Marte showed flashes of brilliance for a 23-year-old.
What went wrong
The season didn't end six weeks early.
MVP: McCutchen, not only for his play in 2012, but the fact that he's signed through 2017 (with a club option for '18) and gives Pittsburgh fans hope they are seeing progress.
LVP: The front office and its asinine tactics.
Free agents to be: SP Kevin Correia, C Rod Barajas ($3.5M club option), RP Juan Cruz, RP Chad Qualls, RP Jason Grilli
Gameplan heading into the offseason
Make McKenry the everyday catcher and sign a cheap, veteran backup. That would give the Pirates an infield (with catcher) of McKenry, Gaby Sanchez, Walker, Clint Barmes and Alvarez. Considering the potential of the outfield combo of McCutchen and Marte, this has the makings of a quality starting lineup. Garrett Jones is a good matchup playing in right field or first base, too.
The pitching staff has the potential to be good enough to collect 80 wins as well, behind Burnett and Wandy Rodriguez, if the Pirates could get James McDonald straightened out. Charlie Morton should get one last shot at a healthy and productive season, and Jeff Karstens will still be around. Gerrit Cole -- the number one overall pick in the 2011 draft -- might be ready a few months into the 2013 season, too.
The biggest holes are the back end of the rotation and an upgrade in the outfield. I'm gonna float an idea that might sound crazy to some. Considering the Pirates' meager budget and the hole in right field, and considering how far his stock has fallen due to the disgraceful suspension, the Pirates should go after Melky Cabrera on the cheap. If he stays clean and has a productive year, the Pirates will have a pretty good lineup. If not, well, the gamble didn't pay off and they could move on.
As far as a starting pitcher, the Pirates could look toward a cheap upgrade like Joe Blanton, Aaron Cook, Scott Feldman (I doubt the Rangers pick up his $9.25 million option), Joe Saunders or Carlos Villanueva.
A lineup with Cabrera and a September rotation that looks something like Burnett, Rodriguez, Feldman, McDonald, Cole along with a similar bullpen to this season sounds like a formula that could break the streak -- though the margin of error will always be small until ownership opens up the purse strings a bit.
Ridiculously premature prediction for 2013
With the Astros disappearing from the NL Central, the Pirates are back to being only clearly better than one team (the Cubs), as the Brewers will be healthier while the Reds and Cardinals aren't going anywhere. The Pirates are headed for a fourth-place finish at best and unfortunately the streak hits 21 seasons.