PITTSBURGH (AP) -Akinori Iwamura apparently didn't check the standings after being traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Iwamura, acquired to be the Pirates' starting second baseman, is hoping his new team can be a contender soon. Really.

While Iwamura made it to the World Series with the Rays in 2008, he might want to rein in his expectations a bit. The Pirates lost 99 games during a major league-record 17th consecutive losing season this year, and they've averaged nearly 96 losses during the last five seasons.

Iwamura might be basing his optimism on the fact Tampa Bay went from winning 66 games in 2007 to winning 97 and the AL pennant in 2008, but the Rays had far more promising players ready for the majors than the Pirates currently do.