Do pitchers and catchers report yet?  Here is the initial 2011-2012 off-season chart for the casual fans, if any, at Bucs Dugout.  For the new folks, this is my attempt to show the Pirates’ current starters, the in-house options to replace them, and the in-house options to replace the replacements.  Data (age, options left, etc.) is reasonably accurate and the Service Time is updated as of the end of the 2011 season.  I believe that all the columns are now either self-explanatory or explained.  For now, I’m still noting where players can get Super-2 status, although that may change with the next CBA.

     There are still a lot of holes that need to be filled. And that, in part, is why I now think the Pirates will exercise Doumit’s two options and keep him around as next year’s starting catcher.  Other factors favoring this decision include the relative lack of good free agent options, the lack of good internal options, last year’s lack of offense, and Doumit’s greater value if traded.  (I don’t know what the Pirates can get for Doumit, but I’m sure it’s more than the team can get for JJ, the Fort, or Chris Snyder.) 

      I also think that Sanchez will start next year in AAA.  Pirates Prospects notes that Ramon Cabrera and Carlos Paulino have earned promotions to AA.  The only person blocking Sanchez’s path at Indianapolis is Eric Fryer.  Of the catchers on the 2011 Indians roster, JJ is out of options and 29 years old, Dusty Brown and Wyatt Toregas both elected free agency, and I don’t believe the team is counting on Kris Watts or Miguel Perez as the future of the Pirates catching staff.  As for Pagnozzi pushing anyone aside, check out his profile at Pirates Prospects – it seems their “Had a terrible year at the plate” key got stuck.  Pagnozzi is an organizational filler who’s saving grace is that he has an option left, meaning he can start the year at Indy as a back-up and the 4th or 5th string catcher for the Pirates.

            The Tabata signing likely means Garrett Jones’ full-time return to 1B, hopefully as part of a platoon.  The Pirates may finally have a passable 1B prospect in Matt Hague but if you want to see something scary before Halloween, look at the team’s 1B depth as summarized at Pirates Prospects.  And then look at organizational depth at 2B and 3B – if you dare.  We apparently don’t have anyone beyond Josh Harrison to back up Pedro anywhere in our system.

            The free agent market for shortstops, like catchers, is fairly uninspiring.  While I’d love to pencil in Jose Reyes for seven years, I think it’s best if we all resign ourselves to one more year of Ronny and hope that the chance to hit free agency in 2013 keeps him motivated AND focused.  This would allow the Pirates to bring D’Arnaud back in 2012 to transition to being the team’s ML shortstop. 

            Being an outfielder in the Pirates’ organization has just become more frustrating, as Presley, McCutchen, and Tabata seem to be set in stone for the next four years.  As often noted here, PNC’s left field requires a player with some speed, not the traditional power-hitting corner outfielder.