What direction will the Pirates go

I think the Pirates will be showing us a lot when they set their final roster. Let us just run through some options. In all of these scenarios we are going to assume that Doumit is not able to be traded as their appears not to be a market for him.

So, we have on the bench for sure Doumit and Diaz as the platoon with Jones. That leaves us three bench spots. Here are the realistic candidates for those spots. This leaves at least a hole in the middle infield, and gives the Pirates 4 outfielders.

Jason Jarmillo - a young catcher who is out of options, and will be lost if he does not make the team. Okay defensively, but has never shown any real offensive potential. No power at all.

John Bowker - a 1B and corner outfielder who is also out of options. He has some power potential, but is not all that good a contact hitter. He has too many strikeouts and not good enough OBP.

Josh Rodriguiz - middle infielder who was acquired in the Rule 5 Draft, so we will lose him if we do not put him on the team all year. Some potential, but is not going to be an all-star or a game changer. But could be a serviceable guy.

Josh Fields - a guy with limited experience but can play either corner and a little of the corner outfield spots.

Pedro Ciriaco - a lanky middle infielder who is out of options. Young and very fast, but he has yet to show he can consistently hit the ball. His projections for this year based on his AAA stats show a .260 hitter. Good defense, but offense is lacking. They are starting to try him in the outfield.

Corey Wimberly - a super utility guy who is on a minor league contract and thus can probably stick around the system. Has some experience, but is not going to hit. Very fast and could bring some stolen bases.

Andy Marte - a young, but getting a second chance corner infielder who is on a minor league contract and thus will not be lost. However, he is showing some potential and hitting very well.

Steven Pearce - a Pirate bred corner infield prospect who can play corner outfield as well. Hints of power, and was beginning to show he can hit at the major league level last year before his injury. Does have an option left, so does not have to make the team to stay.

So the Pirates can go a couple of different ways. Do they try to maximize this year by filling needs? Do they try to keep as many of these people as possible? Do they go with experience and power two big needs for this ball club? Let us look at some examples.

If they are trying to go with keeping as much young talent as they can keep Rodriguiz, Jarmillo, and Bowker or Ciriaco.

If they want to maximize pinch hitting then they will probably keep Bowker, Pearce, and Wimberly. Jarmillo is not ruled out here as it would greatly free up Doumit.

If they are looking for power on the bench then the choice is Bowker, Pearce or Marte and Ciriaco.

If they want to keep those who performed well in Spring then the choice looks to be Jarmillo, Marte, and Ciriaco.

What we are seeing is that with the departure of Atkins and the trying of Ciriaco in the outfield that the Pirates are starting to tend toward the young talent. Fields appears on the outside. Wimberly appears on the outs. Pearce appears headed for the minors. So the decision now seems to be between Ciriaco and Rodriguiz and what to do about Bowker and Jarmillo. That is four guys with three spots. I assume that means they are going to lose one of these guys. The question is which one? When they make the decision it will say something about what the Upper Management thinks is going to happen this year.