Left-hander Paul Maholm, catcher Ryan Doumit and center fielder Nate McLouth were the Pirates' three breakout players last season. All three were then signed to three-year contracts to avoid salary arbitration.
Maholm is the only pitcher assured of a spot in the rotation. McLouth will be the starting center fielder after having to beat out Nyjer Morgan for the job last spring, and Doumit is the No. 1 catcher after unseating Ronny Paulino last year. However, all three says they are taking the same approach this spring and haven't gotten spoiled by their new-found status and wealth.
"I'm still going about it like I'm trying to earn my spot on the team," said Maholm, who allowed only one run in five innings in his first two starts of the exhibition season.
McLouth believes being put into a competitive situation last spring helped him wind up having a season in which he played in the All-Star Game and won a Gold Glove. Thus, he is following the same routine this spring and was 4-for-14 (.286) to start Grapefruit League play.
"I still want to peak as early as I can this spring and get locked in at the plate," McLouth said. "I did that last season, and it was a big reason why I had a good year."
Doumit, who started the spring 4-for-15 (.263), feels the Pirates' losing ways are motivation enough to have a good spring.
"We haven't had a winning season since 1992," Doumit said. "I don't think any of us can afford to relax or take things easy."
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