The Pirates will have a pitcher or two in the pen that lose out in the competition for the starting rotation. But, that being said, they are still going to need some guys to step up this year. Here is a look at the bullpen as of right now heading in 2012:

Closer: Joel Hanrahan: 30-year old righty Joel Hanrahan really stepped up big time last year as he was one of the best closers in all of baseball. Hanrahan pitched in 70 games (0 starts) for the Pirates last year and he was 1-4 with 40 saves, a 1.83 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. He has now pitched in 175 games (0 starts) in his first three years with the Pirates and he is 5-6 with 46 saves, a 2.55 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. Hanrahan has now pitched in 290 games (11 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 17-15 with 60 saves, a 3.92 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP. Hanrahan has proved to be a late bloomer and he is the best pitcher on the Pirates pitching staff without a doubt right now.

Set-Up Man: Evan Meek: 28-year old righty Evan Meek suffered through an injury marred 2011 season, but he is the second best reliever the Pirates have to offer. Meek pitched in 24 games (0 starts) for the Pirates last year and he was 1-1 with a 3.48 ERA and a 1.89 WHIP. He has now pitched in 144 games (0 starts) in his first four years with the Pirates and he is 7-7 with 4 saves, a 3.08 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. The Pirates hope that Meek can stay healthy in 2012.

Righties: Chris Resop: 29-year old Chris Resop had a rough 2011 after pitching really well for the Pirates in 2010. Resop pitched in 76 games (0 starts) for the Pirates last year and he was 5-4 with 1 save, a 4.39 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. He has now pitched in 98 games (0 starts) in his first two years with the Pirates and he is 5-4 with 1 save, a 3.86 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. Resop has now pitched in 156 games (0 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 8-7 with 1 save, a 4.81 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. The Pirates hope that Resop steps up like he did in 2010…..in 2012.

Juan Cruz: 33-year old Juan Cruz had a solid year for the Rays in 2011. He pitched in 56 games (0 starts) for the Rays last year and he was 5-0 with a 3.88 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Cruz has now pitched in 404 games (38 starts) in his first 11 years in the majors and he is 37-35 with 3 saves, a 4.13 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. Cruz is likely going to win a spot in the Pirates’ pen this spring.

Jason Grilli: 35-year old Jason Grilli pitched pretty well for the Pirates last night. Grilli pitched in 28 games (0 starts) for the Pirates last year and he was 2-1 with 1 save, a 2.48 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. Grilli has now pitched in 266 games (16 starts) in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 20-19 with 3 saves, a 4.55 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Grilli is going to have to pitch well this spring to secure a spot in the Pirates’ pen.

Daniel McCutchen: 29-year old Daniel McCutchen turned in a decent year for the Pirates in 2011. He pitched in 73 games (0 starts) for the Pirates last year and he was 5-3 with a 3.72 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. McCutchen has now pitched in 107 games (15 starts) in his first three years with the Pirates and he is 8-10 with a 4.67 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. McCutchen is going to have to earn a job in the Pirates’ pen this spring.

Chris LeRoux: 27-year old Chris LeRoux pitched well for the Pirates in 2011. He pitched in 23 games (0 starts) for the Pirates last year and he was 1-1 with a 2.88 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. LeRoux has now pitched in 29 games (0 starts) in his first two years with the Pirates and he is 1-2 with a 3.34 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. LeRoux has now pitched in 51 games (0 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 1-2 with a 5.47 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP. LeRoux is going to need a strong spring to make the Pirates’ bullpen in 2012.

Tim Wood: 29-year old Tim Wood pitched in 13 games (0 starts) for the Pirates last year and he was 0-3 with a 5.63 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP. He has now pitched in 57 games (0 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 1-4 with 1 save, a 4.50 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP. Wood is a longshot to win a spot in the Bucs’ bullpen this spring.

Ryota Igarashi: 32-year old Ryota Igarashi has been a mess in the majors so far in his career. He pitched in 45 games (0 starts) for the Mets last year and he was 4-1 with a 4.66 ERA and a 1.84 WHIP. He has now pitched in 79 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 5-2 with a 5.74 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP. He is going to have to be lights out this spring if he’s going to win a spot in the Pirates’ pen.

Shairon Martis: 24-year old Shairon Martis pitched in 23 games (all starts) in AA-ball last year for the Nationals and he was 8-6 with a 3.05 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2009 for the Washington Nationals. Martis has pitched in 20 games (19 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 6-6 with a 5.33 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. His best shot to make the Pirates’ pitching staff is as a reliever.

Lefties: Tony Watson: 26-year old Tony Watson did a decent job in his first taste of the majors in 2011. He pitched in 43 games (0 starts) for the Pirates last year and he was 2-2 with a 3.95 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. He is likely coming to spring training as the Pirates’ top lefty in the pen.

Daniel Moskos: 25-year old Daniel Moskos also was pretty decent in his first taste of the show in 2011. He pitched in 31 games (0 starts) for the Pirates last year and he was 1-1 with a 2.96 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. Moskos will likely need a good spring to hold off Doug Slaten for the 2nd lefty job in the pen.

Doug Slaten: 32-year old Doug Slaten pitched in 31 games (0 starts) for the Nationals last year and he was 0-2 with a 4.41 ERA and a 2.14 WHIP. He has now pitched in 206 games (0 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 7-8 with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. Slaten will need to have a good spring to make the Pirates’ bullpen in 2012.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE BULLPEN IN 2012: C