Spring training site
Brandenton, Fla.
2007 record
68-94, sixth in NL Central, 17 games behind Cubs
New faces
LHP Phil Dumatrait (free agent, Reds); IF Chris Gomez (free agent, Indians); RHP Byung-Hyun Kim (free agent, Diamondbacks); RHP Evan Meek (Rule 5 pick, Rays); Doug Mientkiewicz (free agent, Yankees)
Biggest offseason acquisition
Nobody on the above list is going to make anybody recall Willie Stargell or Roberto Clemente. These are all spare parts from other teams, and none of them are expected to start or play key roles.
Gone but not forgotten
Second baseman Jose Castillo is just 27, but the Pirates let him leave for the Marlins in spring training two years after hitting 14 home runs and driving in 65.
Projected lineup
- CF Nate McLouth
- SS Jack Wilson
- 2B Freddy Sanchez
- LF Jason Bay
- 1B Adam LaRoche
- RF Xavier Nady
- 3B Jose Bautista
- C Ronny Paulino
- Pitcher
Projected starting rotation
- RHP Ian Snell
- LHP Tom Gorzelanny
- LHP Paul Maholm
- RHP Matt Morris
- LHP Zach Duke
Projected bullpen
- Matt Capps (closer)
- LHP Damaso Marte
- RHP Tyler Yates
- LHP John Grabow
- RHP Franquelis Osoria
- LHP Phil Dumatrait
- RHP Evan Meek
Biggest strength
The starting pitchers are actually among the best in the National League, potentially. And they're young. Snell is the ace at 26, Gorzellany and Maholm are 25 and Duke will turn 25 in April. Morris is the oddball, a 33-year-old with a lot of mileage on his right arm, a curious pickup at the trade deadline last season. He'll make $9 million this season as part of a deal he signed with the San Francisco Giants. That's 20 percent of the team's payroll, spent on a No. 4 starter?
Glaring weakness
It's hard to see this lineup scoring much. Outside of Bay, there is little power and few players who would even start for other teams. Sanchez won a batting title two years ago, but is having issues coming back from shoulder surgery. And the bullpen is not strong past closer Matt Capps, who was a pleasant surprise in 2007.
