Last year, for the first time since 1979, die-hard Pirate fans and the inevitable bandwagoners had something to cheer about. Maybe they weren't singing "We are Family" but the Pirates raised the NL East flag in the former Steel City and came within two games of going to the big dance.

But that was last year. Now the Pirates might be singing, "Money makes the World Go Round." It would seem General Manager Larry "I know the waiver rule" Doughty would have to break into Fort Knox to satisfy some of the Buco wallets, namely Bobby Bonilla. And that just might prove to be the Pirates' downfall this year. Can the team satisfy some major league egos while trying to find a first baseman, replace some key role players and also shore up the pitching staff?

Sounds like a tough job, but if any manager can do it, Jim Leyland can. The National League Manager of the Year, arguably the best manager in all of baseball, is a player's manager who worries about one thing: the team's performance on the field. But with the New York Mets and the Chicago Cubs creeping up behind the Pirates, Leyland will probably have to do a better job, if that's possible, for Pittsburgh to finish on top again. Besides Leyland, Pittsburgh also has one of the most capable pitching coaches in Ray Miller.

Like all the National East teams, a great deal of the Pirates success will depend on the pitching staff. And Leyland knows pitching.

On the Hill: Pittsburgh pitching starts with Doug Drabek. The Cy Young Award winner had a magical 1990 campaign, when he compiled a 22-6 record. He had a 2.76 ERA and came through with a win when the Pirates needed it. If Drabek can put up those numbers again, he should be considered one of the best right-handers in the league.

After Drabek, the rotation could be outstanding or terrible. Everybody remembers Neal Heaton; he was 10-4 before the break and 2-5 after it. Right now Heaton is currently residing in the bullpen with a bag of sunflower seeds.

Backing up Drabek will be Zane Smith, who was 6-2 with the Pirates and instrumental in the stretch. Pittsburgh has given him $10 million to prove that he isn't the 6-7 pitcher that the Montreal Expos had.

If John Smiley can stay away from taxi cabs, he has shown the potential in the past to be a dominant left-hander; in 1989 his ERA was 2.81. Smiley is healthy but also a question mark. Right-hander Bob Walk is capable of 10 wins this summer but his age is a question mark. Then there is Randy Tomlin, who came up from Class AA Harrisburg to record a 4-4 mark with a 2.55 ERA. In the Pen, the Pirates don't have a bona fide stopper but the role is split between Bill Landrum (13 saves) and State College's own Stan Belinda (3-1 and five saves). Also avaiable are Bob Patterson, Bob Kipper and don't forget the Heater.

Behind the Plate: Strong. Re-signing Don Slaught was one of the best things the Pirates did to help Mike LaValliere. They know how to handle pitchers and combined had the highest batting average of any other catchers in the league.

First base: Big Problem. Losing Sid Bream's bat and defense to Atlanta will hurt but the Pirates should manange with a trio of players. Gary Redus, Carmelo Martinez and Lloyd McClendon will all see time in the first base slot. But can they make up for Bream?

Second Base: Outstanding. The Pirates have the best defensive second baseman in the league in Jose Lind, although Leyland would like to see "Chico" raise his .261 batting average.

Shortstop: Solid. With Jay Bell and Lind, the Pirates are developing a lethal double-play combination. But Bell strikes out (109) too much and has limited range.

Hot Corner: Fair. Jeff King, a former No. 1 pick, showed signs last year of a big bat and with the departure of Wally Backman, the job is King's alone. Actually, true Pirate fans are still trying to get over the fact that Pittsburgh drafted King over Jose Canseco, Eric Davis and Greg Swindell in 1984.

Outfield: The Best. Just think, Bonilla had 32 home runs, 120 RBI and 78 multiple-hit games, and he wasn't even the best player in the outfield. That went to Barry Bonds (33 home runs and 114 RBI). Add Andy Van Slyke, the best defensive center fielder in the league, and the outfield is top-notch. For this year, anyway. Look for Bonilla and Bonds to be gone next year. Van Slyke signed a three-year, $12.65 million contract extension Saturday.

Intangibles: Lacking. Losing R.J. Reynolds, Backman, and Rafael Belliard could hurt. Also, the Pirates need to find a lead-off hitter. But what kind of chemistry can the team have with so many big egos? The Pirates know they can win but now they have the pressure of being the defending champs.

Prediction: If the Pirates play to their potential they can repeat as NL East champs. But the internal turmoil could break apart the team enabling Chicago and New York to take over the top spot.