With the Pittsburgh Pirates narrowly averting another 100 loss season, fans are undoubtedly looking towards 2010 with a measure of discouragement or, at the very least, uncertainty as the off-season grows deeper as we head through the fall leagues, winter leagues, and prepare for spring training 2010. Agree or disagree with the trades management has made over the past two seasons, but you cannot disagree that there will be far more competition for spots on the club than anytime in recent years, nor can you agree that the talent level at spring training will be higher than it has in years past. Many positions will have open competitions as the fruit of some of those trades begin to ripen, which will surely bring some excitement to, at least, the beginning of the season for 2010.

The greatest competition will be for the starting rotation. The backbone of the team will go as far as young starters Paul Maholm, Zach Duke, and Ross Ohlendorf will take them, however the final two spots are completely open as spring training begins in 2010, barring a free agency pickup between now and then. Let's look at the candidates:

Daniel McCutheon: Acquired via trade in 2007, he pitched well with the Indianapolis Indians in 2009, leading the team in victories and sporting a 13-6 record, with an ERA near 3.50, additionally he has good control, having a 4-1 strikeout to walk ratio. After being called up in September, he struggled early, but settled in over his 6 starts and managed an ERA slightly over 4 to end the season in his first major league action. He will likely be the leading candidate for the 5th starting spot heading into spring training.

Charlie Morton: The centerpiece of the Nate McClouth trade, Morton was called up shortly after the trade, after dominating in AAA. Charlie pitched in the rotation for the remainder of the season, and previously pitched in the rotation for the Braves for a portion of 2008, but struggled in that role. Morton has a fastball in the mid 90's, and also uses a slider and curveball. His demand has been questionable so far, and he has not been efficient with his pitch count, averaging just over 5 1/3 innings pitched per start. After struggling mightily in August, he settled back in during September and finished strong with an ERA around 3.50 over his last 7 starts. For the season, he finished with an ERA near 4.50, but will most likely be battling for the 4th rotation spot as we enter spring training 2010. 

Kevin Hart: Received from the Chicago Cubs for Tom Gorzellany and John Grabow, Hart entered the rotation immediately, but suffered from a loss of command and struggled mightily over the past two months of the season after pitching well with Chicago. At the time of the trade, his ERA was under 3.00, but control problems, and an overall lack of efficiency led him to an ERA from August through the remainder of the season, over 6.50. Kevin will have an equal chance of winning a 5th rotation spot, and his maturity and work ethic this fall and winter will likely decide Kevin's future with the team.

Phil Dumatrait: Spending a large amount of the year, recovering from off-season shoulder surgery and suffering from multiple set-backs, was used exclusively out of the bull pen for the final month of the season. He struggled in his appearances and his new role as the primary left-handed option out of the bullpen with . He should be at full strength entering the 2010 season and has an outside shot at making the team as a 5th starter. During May of 2008, prior to his arm injury, he was our most consistent pitcher, with an ERA just a touch over 3.00 in 6 starts.

Brad Lincoln: The #1 draft pick from 2006, after returning strong from surgery which ruined his 2007 season, raised his stock this season by dominating in Altoona. In 13 appearances and sporting an ERA barely over 2.00 despite a a losing record, he was promoted after the all-star break and struggled somewhat at a new level at Indianapolis with an ERA of around 4.50, but did show he knows how to win, posting  6-1 record over 12 appearances at the highest minor league level over the past two months of the season. Lincoln also pitched for the National team and pitched well recording two victories in 4 appearances. He most likely will start the season at AAA Indianapolis, but would likely have the first opportunity to join the rotation if injuries or struggles dictate a change.

Tim Alderson: The prize prospect from the San Francisco Giants, Alderson throws a mid 90's fastball and has good command. A former #1 draft pick, Alderson pitched very well in AA with san Francisco, but struggled somewhat getting acclimated to his new surrondings, with an ERA over 4 with Altoona. He will most likely start the 2010 baseball season at Altoona, and then if all goes well receive a mid-season promotion to Indianapolis. It would be unlikely to see him at the big league level in 2010, but it is possible if he however, displays the maturity at age 21 that many other pitchers his age from recent drafts have displayed. He will also have a chance to show his stuff in spring training before he is reassigned in April.

That is the round-up of the major options for the Pittsburgh Pirates starting rotation for 2010, barring any additional trades or free-agency pick-ups. It would seem unlikely that anyone would be signed to add further depth since there are already a large number of options to fight for the rotation spots. The most off-season activity will most likely involve the bull-pen, an area of weakness after the trades during the 2008 season. Next we will go over the position battles heading into 2010.