The Pirates need 29-year old lefty swinging 1B Adam LaRoche to avoid another slow start in 2009. If he does the Pirates can expect a career season out of him. He played in 136 games for the Pirates last season in which he was 133 for 492 (.270 avg, .841 OPS) with 66 runs scored, 25 homers and 85 RBIs. LaRoche made 8 errors in 129 games at 1B last season so his defense could use some improvement. Look for his usual slow start followed by a hot streak when the weather gets nice.

31-year old righty swinging Andy Phillips was signed as a minor league free agent to provide some depth off the bench for the Pirates. He played in 56 games for the Mets & Reds last season and he was 18 for 78 (.231 avg, .679 OPS) with 12 runs scored, 3 homers and 10 RBIs. Phillips is not a good defender so he will have to hit to get playing time in 2009.

31-year old lefty swinging Eric Hinske could also get playing time at 1B if something were to happen to LaRoche. He played in 11 games at 1B last season for the Rays and he made 1 error. But, he does have the power needed for 1B as he cracked 20 homers in 133 games for the Rays last season.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: C

The Pirates have signed 26-year old switch hitting infielder Ruben Gotay to a minor league deal. Gotay played in 88 games for the Braves last season and he was 24 for 102 (.235 avg, .665 OPS) with 10 runs scored, 2 homers and 8 RBIs. He has now played in 316 games in his major league career in which he is 185 for 726 (.255 avg, .686 OPS) with 84 runs scored, 12 homers and 77 RBIs. This was a good signing for the Pirates as Gotay can help them off the bench in 2009 if he makes the team.

The Pirates are overlooking defense behind the plate and that could cost them some games this season. Still, 27-year old switch hitting Ryan Doumit will get the bulk of the playing time behind the plate for the Pirates this season and he can flat out hit the baseball. Doumit played in 116 games for the Pirates last season and he was 137 for 431 (.318 avg, .858 OPS) with 71 runs scored, 15 homers and 69 RBIs. He will have to hit like that again in 2009 to make up for his defense. He only threw out 15 of 83 (18%) basestealers last season and Pirates’ pitchers had a 5.07 ERA with him behind the plate.

25-year old righty swinging Robinzon Diaz will battle 26-year old switch hitting Jason Jaramillo for the backup job this spring. Diaz is the better hitter of the two. He played in 3 games for the Blue Jays & Pirates last season and he was 3 for 10 (.300 avg, .600 OPS) with 1 RBI. He also played in 62 games in Rookie + A + AAA-ball last season and he was 62 for 214 (.290 avg) with 19 runs scored, 4 homers and 29 RBIs. Diaz threw out the only baserunner that tried to steal against him in the majors last season but pitchers had a 9.00 ERA with him behind the plate.

Jason Jaramillo was acquired in the Ronny Paulino trade with the Phillies. He played in 115 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 112 for 421 (.266 avg, .711 OPS) with 48 runs scored, 8 homers and 39 RBIs.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B-

It’s amazing that the Pirates continue to refuse to spend money despite having a beautiful stadium to play in. The Pirates have brought in infielder Ramon Vazquez who’s likely on hand to replace Freddy Sanchez or Jack Wilson when the team decides to trade them because they are too expensive. He could also win the 3B job because Andy LaRoche might not be capable of holding it. Craig Monroe and Eric Hinske will battle with Brandon Moss and Steve Pearce for playing time at the corner outfield spots. The Pirates have also brought in a bunch of low price pitchers to battle for spots this spring. Chris Bootcheck, Virgil Vasquez, Brian Slocum and Rule 5 Pick Donnie Veal will all try to make the Pirates pitching staff and that’s not a good thing.

OFF SEASON GRADE FOR THE PIRATES: D-

The Pirates have designated 28-year old righty reliever T.J. Beam for assignment. Beam pitched in 32 games (0 starts) for the Pirates last season and he was 2-2 with 1 save, a 4.14 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. He has now pitched in 52 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 4-2 with 1 save, a 5.37 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. Beam was not available too long as the Blue Jays snapped him up on waivers.