DEPARTURES: C Raul Chavez (free agent, signed minor league deal with Blue Jays), INF Chris Gomez (free agent, signed minor league deal with Orioles), OF Jason Michaels (free agent, signed with Astros), INF/OF Doug Mientkiewicz (free agent, unsigned), C Ronny Paulino (traded to Phillies), INF Luis Rivas (free agent, signed minor league deal with Cubs).

SPRING FOCUS: There will be plenty of competition for jobs on the pitching staff as only three jobs are set: LHP Paul Maholm in the rotation and RHP Matt Capps and LHP John Grabow in the bullpen. That means nine spots are open and 37 exhibition games will be played in order to determine who will be on the Opening Day roster.

PROJECTED ROTATION:

1. LHP Paul Maholm

2. RHP Ian Snell

3. LHP Zach Duke

4. LHP Tom Gorzelanny

5. RHP Ross Ohlendorf

Maholm is the only pitcher assured of a rotation spot, but Snell is almost certain to be in the rotation and Duke also stands a good chance. Gorzelanny lost 15 pounds over the winter and says he is ready to return to his form of 2007, when he won 14 games. The Pirates are intrigued by Ohlendorf's power arm and intelligence.

PROJECTED BULLPEN:

RHP Matt Capps (closer)

LHP John Grabow

RHP Tyler Yates

LHP Sean Burnett

RHP Jesse Chavez

RHP Craig Hansen

RHP Romulo Sanchez

Capps is healthy again after battling shoulder issues in the second half of last season, and Grabow is one of the best lefties in the league. Yates, Chavez, Hansen and Sanchez give the Pirates a bevy of power arms from the right side, though all have command issues. Burnett is tough on left-handed hitters and can also pitch multiple innings.

PROJECTED LINEUP:

1. LF Nyjer Morgan

2. 2B Freddy Sanchez

3. CF Nate McLouth

4. C Ryan Doumit

5. 1B Adam LaRoche

6. RF Brandon Moss

7. 3B Andy LaRoche

8. SS Jack Wilson

Morgan gives the Pirates plenty of speed at the top of the lineup, but his ability to get on base consistently against major league pitching is a question mark. McLouth, Doumit, Adam LaRoche and Moss potentially give the Pirates a powerful middle of the order, though none has ever hit more than 26 home runs in a major league season. Sanchez, Andy LaRoche and Wilson are trying to rebound from poor 2008 seasons.

PROJECTED RESERVES:

C Robinzon Diaz

INF Luis Cruz

INF Ramon Vazquez

OF/INF Eric Hinske

OF Craig Monroe

Diaz will battle fellow rookie Jason Jaramillo for the backup catching job. Vazquez will be the primary utility infielder as he provides modicum of left-handed pop, while Cruz, a rookie, is more of a defensive specialist. Hinske, from the left side, and Monroe, from the right side, both can hit the long ball.

TOP ROOKIES: RHP Daniel McCutchen will battle for one of four open spots in the rotation. He has impressed the Pirates since he was acquired from the Yankees last July as part of a six-player trade that saw Xavier Nady get shipped to New York. McCutchen, 26, was a combined 11-12 with a 3.57 ERA in 28 starts between the Class AA and Class AAA levels last season. RHP Jeff Sues, 25, has a chance to win a bullpen job after the hard thrower went a combined 4-2 with three saves and a 3.22 ERA in 37 games with Class AA Altoona and high Class A Lynchburg last season.

MEDICAL WATCH:

LHP Phil Dumatrait (shoulder surgery in August 2008) was slowed in his rehabilitation efforts over the winter to the point where he will not be able to build up enough innings this spring to win a spot in the rotation. He will instead be tried as a reliever.

RF Brandon Moss (arthroscopic left knee surgery in October 2008) will be eased into action early in spring training but is expected to be ready by Opening Day.