PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Pirates' 39-48 record is nearly identical to that at the All-Star break a year ago. And the year before that. And the year before that.

What wasn't predicted about this losing season, one that looks so much like so many of the dozen consecutive losing seasons that preceded it, is that much that was supposed to be good has gone bad, and much that was supposed to be bad has been good.

Beginning with the No. 1 starter, who has been the No. 1 disappointment.

Oliver Perez (6-5, 6.16 ERA), expected to be not only the staff ace but one of the NL's most dominating starters, fought with his consistency, his velocity - and himself. So unreliable in April the Pirates shut him down for nearly two weeks, Perez had just begun to turn his season around when he angrily kicked a metal laundry cart in St. Louis late last month and broke a big toe.

His injury allowed top prospect Zach Duke to come up from the minors and make two excellent starts, but it illustrated what the Pirates have gone through since the mid-1990s.

Every time they take a step forward, they take one back - or, in this case, take one right into a laundry hamper.

Craig Wilson, the team's top power threat, also had a forgettable first half with one home run - he had 29 a season ago - after injuring a finger May 6 and not returning until last weekend. And he might not have been the most disappointing Wilson on the team.

Jack Wilson, coming off an All-Star appearance and .308 season, looked lost at the plate in April and hasn't gotten much better, with a .227 average that's down 105 points from the break a year ago. To equal last year's 201 hits, he must get 130 in the Pirates' final 75 games, or nearly two per game.

With so many counted-upon components not coming through, the team with the third-lowest payroll in the majors simply hasn't had enough talent or depth to compensate.

"When you lose players like that, they are awfully hard to replace," said manager Lloyd McClendon. "How do you replace 29 home runs? We don't have it to replace. And Oliver Perez, I think he was starting to come into his own. We need these guys back to make us better."

Especially when so much of what the Pirates showed during the first half was so familiar: Not enough power, not enough pitching, not enough of anything.

There were a few encouraging signs. The defense has been much better than expected. The bullpen also has been solid. Jose Mesa is on another 40 saves-plus pace - unless he's traded, which seems likely. Attendance is up, too, partially because season ticket holders can buy 2006 All-Star game tickets.

Catcher Humberto Cota (.252, 6 homers, 27 RBI) has contributed more offensively than expected, first baseman Daryle Ward has a team-high 52 RBI and Freddy Sanchez (.271) has shown signs of becoming an everyday infielder.

And Jason Bay? Last year's NL rookie of the year has looked immune to the so-called sophomore jinx, making the NL All-Star team after an good first half (.299, 16 homers, 44 RBIs).

Dealing off longtime starting catcher Jason Kendall last winter has provided economic benefits - he would have made $10 million this season - and helped the on-field product. Left-hander Mark Redman (4-8, 3.76) and outfielder Matt Lawton (.275, 10 homers and 40 RBI) have been productive, with Redman pitching better than his record indicates due to minimal offensive support.

The question is how much longer they will be around. Redman would be a very attractive pickup for a contender, and could bring the Pirates a couple of prospects in a trade.

Trading Lawton would create more playing time for prospect Ryan Doumit, who has had an uneven first six weeks in the majors. Trading Redman would create more innings for Duke and right-hander Ian Snell, both of whom figure prominently in the Pirates' future plans.

The Pirates had one brief burst a month ago, winning 9 of 13 during a homestand against top-quality teams to reach .500 at 30-30 on June 11, only to drop 18 of their next 27. They resume the season Thursday afternoon against the Cubs in Wrigley Field.

"It's been a first half of inconsistent performances - some good, some very good," general manager Dave Littlefield said. "The first month was a real struggle offensively and the last three weeks, we didn't pitch as well and didn't hit as well as we did before. There are some very positive things, but with younger guys, you've got to do it on a more consistent basis."