Camp is Open 2011

Pitchers and Catchers have arrived. So have many of the other players. Spring Training this year will be all about watching the young guys. Very few positions open on the major league team, so not many story lines. I will go ahead and outline the ones I will be watching.

1. Corey Wimberly. Will he make the team?
2. How many catchers? I am on record as saying the Pirates will take 3 catchers to Opening Day.
3. Jose Ascino. How will he look after his injuries?

I think those are the three big stories. Here are a few that are going to be covered, but I think are non-stories.

1. Fifth Starter. This is already decided from on high. Charlie Morton will be losing ball games in blow out fashion every fifth day for half the season again. He is out of options, and Lincoln is not. The Pirates want Karstens in the pen, and Olsen is a lefty needed in the pen.
2. Bullpen. I also think that this is mostly moot now with the signing of Joe Biemel. That rounds it out. They will pick the closer before the first spring game, which should show us all we need to know for the pen. It will look like this: Hanrahan, Meek, Resop, Biemel, Olsen, Karstens, Ascino.
3. Rule 5. Will our pick make the team? Of course he will. All the Rule 5 picks have broken camp with the team, and so will this year's edition.

Still, Camp is always a fun time of year. Looking forward to it.