Bucs
still have a few tough calls
By ALAN ROBINSON,
Associated Press
BRADENTON, Fla. - For a team that
supposedly isn't very good, the Pirates certainly are taking
a long time to choose their opening-day roster.
Manager Lloyd McClendon prefers to choose his 25-man roster
well before breaking camp, to get his players comfortable with
one other and so that the relievers can pitch during the final
week of camp in the roles they will fill when the season starts.
Not this spring, even though the Pirates are a nearly universal
pick to finish last in the NL Central amid the most dire forecasts
they've had going into a season since 1997.
With only two days left in camp, the Pirates have an unsettled
starting rotation, an unfilled lineup spot at second base and
a bullpen that may be uncomfortably young with as many as three
rookies.
"Hopefully, we'll have some answers tomorrow (Friday),"
manager Lloyd McClendon said Thursday.
They had better have them by late Saturday afternoon, or else
they will have a very crowded plane heading north to Pittsburgh
for Monday's opener against the Phillies.
Here's how the roster figures to shape up once McClendon, general
manager Dave Littlefield, the coaching staff and the nearly
dozen scouts in camp finally sort everything out:
n Bobby Hill has unexpectedly had a monster spring with a .365
average and five homers, but the Pirates will go with rookie
Jose Castillo at second base. One of the Pirates' best middle
infield prospects in years, he'll make the leap from Double-A
to the majors.
While he won't start every day, Hill has forced his way onto
the club, taking the job that would have gone to backup first
baseman Carlos Rivera.
McClendon hinted at that Thursday, saying, "Who knows,
maybe take both of them (Castillo and Hill) and let them compete
and see if they can stay at the high level they've been at."
Oliver Perez was expected to be a lock for the starting rotation,
but his late-spring struggles and the Pirates' shortage of left-handed
relievers have led them to consider switching him temporarily
to the bullpen. If that happens, they'll start the season with
an all-right-handed rotation of Kip Wells, Kris Benson, Josh
Fogg, Ryan Vogelsong, Rick Reed.
However, the fact that Reed starts Friday and Vogelsong starts
Saturday, both against Minnesota, indicates there still may
be an active competition for the final spot in the rotation.
Left-hander Sean Burnett (0-0, 1.04 ERA) has pitched effectively
in his four appearances, but probably hasn't worked enough innings
(8 2-3) to seriously be in the running and seems more likely
to start the season at Triple-A Nashville.
The Pirates were expected to keep as many as three left-handers
relievers, but may keep only one -- John Grabow (0-0, 5.00)
-- even if Perez stays in the rotation. The hard-throwing Mike
Johnston (0-0, 2.84 ERA) has been impressive, but has never
pitched above Double-A and the Pirates may decide he simply
needs more time in the minors.
If that happens, the Pirates' opening day staff would be Benson,
Brian Boehringer, Jason Boyd, Fogg, Grabow, Brian Meadows, Jose
Mesa, Perez, Reed, Salomon Torres, Vogelsong and Wells.
If Reed is let go -- and he is signed only to a minor league
contract -- Johnston probably would stay.
If Hill stays, the 13 position players would be catchers Jason
Kendall and Humberto Cota, first baseman Randall Simon, shortstop
Jack Wilson, third baseman Chris Stynes, utilityman Abraham
Nunez, Hill, Castillo and outfielders J.J. Davis, Rob Mackowiak,
Raul Mondesi, Tike Redman and Craig Wilson. Davis is out of
minor league options and the Pirates risk losing him on a waiver
claim if they to return him to the minors.
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Wild Things
bring back McDonnell
Mesa wins Pirates' closer job
Bucs still have a few tough calls
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