The Pirates have nearly the same roster as the one that finished last season 68-94. In fact, as many as 19 the players on the Opening Day roster could be holdovers.

ROTATION:

1. RHP Ian Snell

2. LHP Tom Gorzelanny

3. LHP Paul Maholm

4. RHP Matt Morris

5. LHP Zach Duke

The Pirates have the making of one of the better young rotations in the game as Snell, Gorzelanny, Maholm and Duke are all 26 or younger. Snell and Gorzelanny showed star potential last season and should improve this year. Maholm and Duke have been sharp all spring and seemed poise for breakout seasons. Morris is the only question mark, as age and multiple arm surgeries have reduced him to a shell of his former dominating self.

BULLPEN:

RHP Matt Capps (closer)

LHP Damaso Marte

LHP John Grabow

RHP Byung-Hyun Kim

RHP Franquelis Osoria

RHP Evan Meek

LHP Sean Burnett

Capps is one of the better young closers in the game, having converted 18 of 21 save last season after being moved into the ninth-inning role on June 1. Marte and Grabow are solid from the left side and are coveted by many other clubs. Kim was shaky most of the spring but has a track record of being tough on right-handed hitters. Osoria's great sinker means he is always one pitch away from a potential double-play ball. Meek must stay on the roster all season or be offered back to Tampa Bay as part of the Rule 5 process. Burnett will be the long man and finally appears over the elbow and shoulder surgeries that caused him to miss the 2005 season and spend 2006 and 2007 in Class AAA.

LINEUP:

1. CF Nate McLouth

2. SS Jack Wilson

3. 2B Freddy Sanchez

4. LF Jason Bay

5. 1B Adam LaRoche

6. RF Xavier Nady

7. 3B Jose Bautista

8. C Ronny Paulino

McLouth provides a nice blend of power and speed at the top of the order. Wilson is coming off a solid year and handles the bat well in the No. 2 hole. Sanchez, who won the batting title two years ago, might begin the season on the disabled list as he is not completely healed from shoulder surgery performed last September. Bay looks to have a bounce-back season after a miserable 2007, while LaRoche and Nady also need to step up production in the middle of the lineup. Bautista and Paulino both need to perform well because the Pirates have a third baseman waiting in Class AAA, Neal Walker, and backup catcher Ryan Doumit is ready to push for more time behind the plate.

RESERVES:

C/OF Ryan Doumit

1B/OF Doug Mientkiewicz

INF Chris Gomez

INF Luis Rivas

OF Nyjer Morgan

Doumit is a switch hitter with power and versatility. Catcher is his natural position, but he can also play first base and the corner outfield spots. Mientkiewicz, a slick-fielding first baseman, looked good in spring trials in right field and can also play third base in a pinch. Gomez can play all four infield positions. Rivas resurrected his career in spring training after washing out as Minnesota's second baseman in 2005. Morgan couldn't beat out McLouth to be the starting center fielder, but his speed and outstanding defense should be an asset off the bench.

ROOKIE WATCH: RHP Evan Meek, chosen in the Rule 5 draft from Tampa Bay after going 2-1 with one save and a 4.30 ERA at Class AA Montgomery last season, should provide depth, as the Pirates lack right-handed experience in the bullpen. OF Nyjer Morgan had a rough spring but still can contribute as a bench player with his speed and outstanding defense.

MEDICAL WATCH:

OF Chris Duffy (left shoulder surgery in August 2007) will begin the season on the disabled list. He should be able to start playing in the field for Class AAA Indianapolis on an injury-rehabilitation assignment sometime in April.

LHP Juan Perez (torn elbow ligament) will begin the season on the disabled list. The Pirates hope he can rehabilitate his injury with strengthening exercises rather than surgery.

2B Freddy Sanchez (arthroscopic right shoulder surgery in September 2007) isn't sure he'll be ready to play on Opening Day, as he was still struggling with his throwing late in spring training.

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