Almost...Moves, Impressions and Notes

Roster Moves: Pablo Reyes, Nick Kingham, Nick Burdi, & Kevin Newman were all told they’re on the 25-man roster, and the team will take 27 players to Cincy. Steven Brault, Jordan Lyles, Lonnie Chisenhall and JB Shuck are the bubble gang. If Chisenhall & Lyles are healthy, they're in. Sent down were C Steven Baron, RHP's Rookie Davis & Brandon Maurer, LHP Tyler Lyons and OF Patrick Kivlehan, who were reassigned to minor league camp. So no surprises; you could have picked the active roster in February, with the exception of Shuck if he lands a spot. Jose Osuna isn't on the list, so we assume he'll either be assigned to the minors or go on the IL, depending on the severity of his neck injury. The roster isn't cast in stone - Elias Diaz should be back sometime in April and Gregory Polanco in May, if not sooner.

Pablo's comin' north... (photo Dave Arrigo/Pittsburgh Pirates)

Impression: The Bucs were looking to improve at SS, find Gregory's temporary replacement and pick a fifth starter; can't say that they've done anything to write home about in any of those areas this spring. They have a dice-roll in Jung Ho Kang, who can provide a big patch both with his glove and bat at third if he can keep on. Except for JHK, the Bucs showed occasional, spread-around power throughout the lineup; we'll see how that plays out. J-Bell still looks like J-Bell; the team is hoping for him to step up. Fraze looks ready to take over second base; having one position seems to suit him well. Starling and Corey D remain rock solid while Melky is a professional fourth outfielder; Lonnie is still in wait-and-see mode. The catchers are a solid trio. The starting pitching should be pretty good (caveat: it's not the 1966 Dodgers), though depth is still an issue, and the pen is top flight. The future wave of Cole Tucker, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Kevin Kramer, Jason Martin and gang is promising, so the well isn't dry even with all the transitioning. The Pirates put their money on a young team improving across the board, and upon that premise rides the season.

Notes:

• PNC Park has a bunch of new eateries for Bucco foodie fans. 
• Utilityman Alen Hanson didn't make the Giants MLB roster; he's out of options so he'll either be traded or available via waivers.
• RHP Kyle Hendricks of the Cubs got himself an extension, too. At this rate, there may not be any free agents left for next season.