A Look at the Pirates' '09 Bullpen

After today's extra-inning loss to the Reds, the Pittsburgh Pirates stand at 6-2 in Grapefruit League play, plus an exhibition victory over the Netherlands WBC team. I have tried, somewhat spuriously, to claim that a winning Spring Training record could portend that a winning regular season is in the immediate future. However, what is true is that now is the time for those players battling for a roster spot to prove their mettle. While maybe 80% of the Bucs' eventual Opening Day roster is essentially set, there are a few interesting spots up for grabs. Today, let's take a look at the bullpen, and how it might look come April 6.

There are three Pirate relievers who are signed to major league contracts valuing over $1 million apiece. They are closer Matt Capps, lefthander John Grabow and righthander Tyler Yates. None of those three are in any real danger of being released or reassigned to the minors. Barring a trade, all three will make the team.

There are three other players who must make the major league team or the Pirates might lose them. Both Sean Burnett and Craig Hansen are out of minor league options so the Pirates would have to place them on waivers in order to send them down. Burnett pitched fairly well last year and I would imagine the Pirates hope he could eventually become a quality late inning guy. Hansen is one of the four players the Pirates received last summer in the Jason Bay trade. Though his major league numbers thus far in his young career are nothing to get excited about, the Pirates like the potential this hard-thrower has, and there is no way they would risk losing an important piece of the big trade so quickly. Donnie Veal was acquired in last fall's Rule 5 draft from the Chicago Cubs. Veal must make the team and stay on the 25 man active roster (or major league disabled list) the entire season or he must be offered back to the Cubs. The Pirates got around this last year with Evan Meek, but that doesn't always work out. Veal has no experience higher than AA, so it would be a bit of a risk carrying someone like that for the full season. However, Veal has pitched exceptionally well so far this spring. Control was the primary concern with him, but he has walked only one batter in four scoreless innings to this point.

With 6 spots essentially spoken for, this leaves but one left. None of the 6 aforementioned relievers profiles as a long relief pitcher, so the final spot will be taken by someone who fits that role. And that may end up being one of the losers in the battle for a rotation spot. I'm not sure Phil Dumatrait is healthy enough yet to get into the rotation battle, so he could be in the mix here. Chris Bootcheck is a non-roster player in camp who has pitched very well so far. For him to make the club however, another player may be exposed to waivers. Evan Meek has also pitched great, but he's more of an inning or two reliever. If there weren't such a risk in losing Veal or Hansen, he could have a good shot. Denny Bautista is in the mix too, but his talent is replaceable and he might even take an assignment to AAA to start the year. So, I'm leaning toward Dumatrait for this last spot, though if his health is an issue, Jeff Karstens could get the call as I don't really see him making the rotation unless Tom Gorzelanny can't get himself figured out.

Things could still change. There is a month until the season starts and I would not be surprised to see Grabow traded. If that happens, Burnett moves up to the top lefty reliever slot and it greatly increases the odds of Meek or Bootcheck making the team.

'09 Bullpen, says I: Matt Capps, John Grabow, Tyler Yates, Sean Burnett, Craig Hansen, Donnie Veal, Phil Dumatrait (if hurt, then Karstens)