LF Jose Tabata Put up solid numbers with a final line of .279/.333/.385 he also had 5 HR 31 RBI and 51 RS. Tabata is locked up through 2017 with team options for 18 and 19. Jose is the kind of player I'd like to see at the top of the lineup and we're going to head into spring with Jose as the starter in left field.

LF Alex Presley Had 158 at bats last year with a line of .310/.347/.487. Not bad numbers by any means but he will have to battle Tabata for playing time and we will entertain...

C Russell Martin The veteran backstop tied for second on the team in hits (143) and was third on the team in HR (21) and RS (76). Russell ended up with a final line of .272/.340/.439 and provided stellar defense all year long. Martin is entering the final year of a 2 year deal and if he can match the production from 2013 then we feel pretty confident about our catching situation.

C Michael McKenry Did a serviceable job as a back up in limited playing time. .200/.272.371 was the final...

RHP Jason Grilli Lost the closers job early in the year but still led the team with 82 appearances. Grilli finished the year with 15 saves 17 holds and a 4.42 ERA. Jason's problems center around his control. He's due to make $4 mil. this season and we are hoping he can get back to being a dominant pitcher at the back of our bullpen.

RHP Chris Perez Acquired mid-season from Cleveland and pitched really well after arriving in Pittsburgh. For the season he pitched 69.1 innings notching...

RHP Brandon McCarthy Acquired in a mid-season trade from the Dbacks, McCarthy finished the year 14-13 with a 4.16 ERA in 209.2 IP between the two clubs. We know Brandon can be a serious veteran innings eater but he has a 9 mil. dollar price tag for 2014 and he may be moved if someone would be looking to take on most of that salary.

RHP James McDonald Second on the staff with 32 starts, McDonald had a 9-13 record with a 4.24 ERA in 189 IP. James didn't reach 200 innings in spite of...

• Hitting coach Jay Bell and Team Trainer Todd Tomczyk have decided to part ways with the team.

• I put a lot of effort into trying to bring Jay Bell back as he is a Pittsburgh favorite and I liked his approach. However, Jay has no interest in returning. He would like to spend some time with his family and then evaluate his career as a major league coach. Good luck Jay.

• I decided to look through the minors and see if there were any coaches buried in the organization. I found Terry Pendleton in

...