It might seem strange that much of the optimism being offered this weekend at PirateFest is related to the Pirates' pitching. 

The roster underwent major surgery in late July when RF Xavier Nady and LHP Damaso Marte were traded to the Yankees and LF Jason Bay was dealt to the Red Sox, with the net return being eight young players of varying experience levels. 

--1B Adam LaRoche was one of four Pirates players who settled their arbitration cases by signing one-year contracts just before both sides were set to exchange salary figures for a potential hearing. 

The Pirates have two players remaining in salary arbitration, and the differences in what they are asking and what the club is offering are nearly identical. 

The roster underwent major surgery in late July when RF Xavier Nady and LHP Damaso Marte were traded to the Yankees and LF Jason Bay was dealt to the Red Sox, with the net return being eight young players of varying experience levels. 

--1B Adam LaRoche was one of four Pirates players who settled their arbitration cases by signing one-year contracts just before both sides were set to exchange salary figures for a potential hearing. 

The Pirates have two players remaining in salary arbitration, and the differences in what they are asking and what the club is offering are nearly identical. 

The Steelers are in the Super Bowl. 

Red is out, black is in and the sleeves are attached again to the Pittsburgh Pirates' jerseys. 

Two positives are sure to emerge from the opening of PirateFest today: 

Two positives are sure to emerge from the opening of PirateFest today: 

The roster underwent major surgery in late July when RF Xavier Nady and LHP Damaso Marte were traded to the Yankees and LF Jason Bay was dealt to the Red Sox, with the net return being eight young players of varying experience levels. 

Doug Mientkiewicz is in the process of changing agents. 

--1B Adam LaRoche ($7. 

Just like one of his starts, the market for lefty Oliver Perez is hard to figure.