The Pirates’ 2016 baseball season ends this weekend in St. Louis.

Yes, it has been a disappointing one.

At the same time, it demonstrates just how long a 162-game season is and what can go wrong at any point during that time frame.

The starting rotation for the Pirates back in April was Gerrit Cole, Francisco Liriano, Jon Niese, Juan Nicasio and Jeff Locke.

In September, none of those guys were still in that rotation.

Cole wound up with stints on the disabled list that ultimately short-circuited his season. Liriano struggled most of the year and was dealt to Toronto. Niese struggled most of the year and was dealt back to the New York Mets.

Nicasio went to the bullpen and has done well there. Locke went to the bullpen and has not done so well there.

Francisco Cervelli, Josh Harrison, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco were everyday players who spent long stints out of the lineup with injuries. Closer Mark Melancon was dealt to Washington.

Andrew McCutchen had an off year. Sean Rodriguez had a career year. Matt Joyce had a comeback year.

Josh Bell and Jameson Taillon showed glimpses of could-be success for years to come.

All of this — and the Pirates stayed in realistic contention for a playoff berth until the final two weeks of the season.

So ... Where do they go from here?

Step 1: Sign a veteran pitcher who can eat some innings. Ivan Nova will probably carry two high a price tag, but other guys of ability on the free agent market won’t. Land one of them, at least.

Cole and Taillon will be No. 1 and 2 in the rotation. Chad Kuhl could be No. 3. Sign a No. 4 guy. The fifth guy could be any one of a number of guys, but it won’t be Locke or Ryan Vogelsong.

Step 2: Move McCutchen to right field. Do not trade him. He’s got two years left on his contract at a pretty decent price and he’s far too young to be considered washed up.

Move Marte to center, Polanco to left.

Step 3: Re-sign Rodriguez. He’s an ultra-valuable utility guy who can fill in almost anywhere in the event of injury. He’s certainly proven that.

Step 4: Give Tony Watson a full season in the closer’s role. He’s got the tools to get it done.

Step 5: Leave the catching and infield as is. Bell and David Freese are an effective platoon at first, Harrison and Jordy Mercer are a solid double play combo and both will likely improve at the plate. Jung Ho Kang will hit 30 homers if he stays healthy.

What could stop the Pirates from contending in 2017? A young starting rotation, if it isn’t ready to assume the bulk of the load.

The starting pitchers have to log more innings.

And please make the team take the class Baserunning 101 over again.

It failed the course miserably this year.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle