Colin Dunlap: OK -- high noon in Bradenton. I can join you for about 45 minutes-hour or so. Here we go.....

TJ: Colin...how about some focus on the expected starters Overbay. Tabata, Jones, Cedano...all I keep reading is about Pearce,Atkins Lambo,pressley, Wimberly etc.How are these guys looking and what do they have to say.

Colin Dunlap: So you missed the big Overbay piece I did a few weeks ago? And that Cedeno piece the P-G did last week. And that big piece I remember writing about Jones platooning with Diaz, and that stuff I reported about Tabata being as strong as an ox.

Next question.

Zoe: Is Rudy Owens, Tony Sanchez, Jameson Taillon, and Stetson Allie at camp? If so, how are they looking? How's Sanchez's recovery?

Colin Dunlap: Owens and Sanchez are at camp, both look good. I just saw Allie and Taillon --- neither is participating in camp, but they are here (as is Heredia) taking it all in as spectators, watching what is going on. I have heard from some players that Owens is throwing the ball wonderfully.

CJ: Is James McDonald a legit top of the rotation guy? We saw glimpses of what he can bring at the end of last year but does he have the ability to keep it up for 25-30 starts?

Colin Dunlap: That is the huge question this year. I really don't think there is a way to predict that, it will just have to play out. To me, he is going to have to go and prove he can do it before that stigma is erased which, to be fair, is only fair.

Arriba Wilver: What is Banister's influence/role at camp from what you have seen?

Colin Dunlap: He seems like the quintessential glue guy with many of the players. Jeff walks around camp and commands respect from the top guys all the way down to the minor leaguers. It is striking. He is a man who is very well respected and, in my limited time observing everything, seems like someone the players view in the highest regard.

JoeBucco: I get the feeling we already have a deal in place for Doumit if he just shows he's healthy in spring. Odds on Doumit heading north to Pittsburgh this year? Over / under 25%, what do you think?

Colin Dunlap: A threshold right at 25 percent is a fair one. Set that as the over/under if you are Harrah's.

CJ: It's way too early to discuss possible lineups but do you think Hurdle will keep the McCutchen/Tabata/Walker trio at the top of the order? Might Tabata out grow the two hole and be better suited to a spot with more RBI opportunities?

Colin Dunlap: My prediction:

Cutch
Tabata
Walker
Pedro

Kyle: Colin, hope the wife and twins are doing well... who do you see taking the mound to face off against Dempster and the Cubs on Opening Day?

Colin Dunlap: Thanks for the kind words.

To answer the question, I am going with Maholm.

FOX: What are management's current views on the progression of Jeff Locke and Daniel Moskos? I feel both are vital to the future/rebound of the organization and the depth of the pitching staff.

Colin Dunlap: I don't know the overall feel of the organization, but my overall feel of Locke is a good one. I wrote this yesterday, but in watching the guy, his athleticism is glaring -- he is ridiculously athletic. Plus, he has proven to perform under pressure. In terms of Moskos, his development is important, but in terms of the big club this year, signing Beimel really hurt his chances.

Taylor: Are the Pirates planning on having any sort of memorial service or even a patch on their uniform for the passing of Chuck Tanner?

Colin Dunlap: I read somewhere they have to get special dispensation from MLB to wear a patch. I would guess that happens.

Becky: Mr. D, have you been to the orange grove that Dejan always bragged about, for lunch yet? If so, is it as good as Dejan lead us to believe it is?

Colin Dunlap: I have been to Mixon's on previous trips down here. It is splendid, a wonderful place that only Florida can offer. Call me crazy, but I tend to follow Dejan's recommendations -- and have yet to get a bad one from him.

Mark: Who is and will be running the team on the field? Hurdle or Huntington or other front office goons?

Colin Dunlap: Clint Hurdle strikes me as the type of man who would not take a job unless he would be the field boss.

SeanE: Hey CD. Much has been made of Pedro's weight. How does he look to you? Anything to this story?

Colin Dunlap: Looks fine to me.

To my eye, the story seems incredibly overblown.

Phil: I am a big Charlie Morton Supporter. I know it's early but what are your impressions on his composure and overall performance so far this spring

Colin Dunlap: As we all know, Charlie is Charlie. He's his own cat. Again this morning (as he has each day since I arrived) he asked me how my children were doing --- made a special point to do it. The guy couldn't be a more "regular" guy playing baseball. I think people root for him because of it, but others think that could be a lack of focus or composure. Perhaps we just all need to realize that we might never understand what makes Charlie Morton tick. He is a free-spirit, an everyday man, a regular person playing baseball.

CJ: After seeing this team run the bases for the past few years, is it really a good idea for Hurdle to have this team be more active on the base paths?

Colin Dunlap: I think it is, why not? To me, weren't many of the shortcomings you are talking about having runners getting gunned down at the plate? With Hurdle talking about being more active, I think he speaks of going from first-to-third with more regularity, or trying to steal a base.

Cutch 22: I just got back from Vegas.. Bucs are 150/1 to win it all... You want me to throw a few Gs on it for you?

Colin Dunlap: I don't trust anyone with my gaming needs but myself. But thanks for asking.

Mark2: Hi CD, With what ownership is prepared to spend and with the talent level where it is with the Pirates, and I expect them to lose 95-100 games, Is it fair to judge NH at this point until the guys he drafts reach the majors?

Colin Dunlap: By what was said by Frank Coonelly Saturday, and then what was not said by Bob Nutting yesterday, I think it will be wholly fair to judge Neal Huntington when the 27th out of the final game of this season is made ---- and I think that is when a judgment will be made.

JosePagan: Colin, how "refreshing" will Hurdle's presence be if we wake up at the end of April and find the team 9 - fer? Having an upbeat manager is great, but give me a roster with talent - proven talent and see the results.

Colin Dunlap: No question players win and lose games --- no question at all.

But, what do you want from the guy? Seriously?

Guest: Do the positives of conveying a positive attitude to casual fans outweigh the negatives of appearing overly optimistic and unrealistic to hardcore fans?

Colin Dunlap: I stick with the reality --- telling the truth.

You can choose to do what you want with the message after it is received; I simply deliver it.

roninbuc: Do you think the Pedro that was locked in at the plate in September will deliver for a full MLB season? Realistically, what do you project his HR and RBI totals for 2011? Will he hit cleanup from the start?

Colin Dunlap: It isn't a stretch to think Pedro could hit 38 HRs and drive in 105.

BucsIn2011: Hi Colin: Great job on the beat so far! Any chance we can talk you into live-blogging the Friday game?

Colin Dunlap: Maybe....I will think about it. I'll get back to you with a verdict.

roninbuc: How improved to you think Walker will be defensively this year at 2B and do you think his leadership in the infield might calm Cedeno down and help with his focus?

Colin Dunlap: Great question. I actually just saw him, about 45 minutes ago, working with Maz. It was something to see. Neil was really, really, really soaking it all in. They were working on transfers on double plays and Walker was much improved and Maz was pushing him along. I do think that comfort level in the middle can be mutually beneficial.

JoeBucco: ok, ads blasting sound in the middle of a chat that people pay to attend may be reason enough to scare people away. Are those a permanent fixture? Way annoying on a paid site.

Colin Dunlap: Email Tim Lakey --- This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sec214Fan: Which do you think is more important....more consistency from the top of the rotation? Or no regression from the Walker, Tabata, Alvarez trio?

Colin Dunlap: Pitching, pitching, pitching.

JAL: Watched Presley video and swing looks good. still, probably going to Indy to start the season?

Colin Dunlap: I don't think there is any way he makes the big club out of camp.

Kyle: Other than Wimberly, are there any non-roster guys who have stood out to you?

Colin Dunlap: Beimel and Veras and Tony Sanchez is an intriguing case.

Arriba Wilver: I know it's early, but especially in light of the hammy setback, have you seen any hint of the "badboy" reputation from Olsten?

Colin Dunlap: None. Chatted with him for a good 20 minutes yesterday at his locker. Seemed like a very likable, nice guy. He spoke to me about his past mistakes, spoke about how he has grown up. Didn't seem at all to have any of that bad-boy stuff going on. Really, he was a bit down that he couldn't be out there participating full-go in drills.

CJ: Chances Bowker makes the team as the 5th OF?

Colin Dunlap: really small, one would think.

Stephan: I am a big believer in minor league stats being a good indicator of major league success. Comparing the two minor league careers, Josh has a substantial advantage. He had a .782 OPS compared to Ronny's .723. 40+ xb hits each year with more than 400 abs. Ronny never did it once. And Ronny's lack of concentration washes out what Josh lacks in comparative athleticism. Plus Josh would seem to have a better pedigree and upside due to his second round tag and youth. What do you think are Josh Rodriguez's chances of beating out Ronny Cedeno?

Colin Dunlap: Don't forget he's a Rule 5 guy, too. Honestly, I just don't know if Rodriguez is going to make this team. I'm just not seeing it when they break down, positionally, in drills right now. Ciriaco looks to have an edge on him at SS and at third, I'm not seeing it.

Colin: Colin, I think it is safe to say that Neil Walker was the sleeper on the Pirates last year. Any indications on who might be the sleeper this year?

Colin Dunlap: Correia.

PIRATEGREG: Colin, welcome aboard!...Love the coverage...when you mentioned Ross and his effort during drills... could one deduce from the inference that the other pitchers weren't going all out or am I looking a little too hard into it?...Overall it sounds like a great start to the spring...hopefully some of these young guys and "almost there's" have the fire in the belly to take jobs or earn spots that others just don't want bad enough to deserve the wearin' o' the BLACK N GOLD!

Colin Dunlap: No, that was the thing with Ross: The other pitchers WERE going hard. He was just going that much harder. That is the thing with that guy. His motor is just ridiculous. One speed -- wide open.

Colin Dunlap: Got time for a few more, have to get back out to workouts.

Andrew Bird: Any chance Pearce can stick around in a semi-platoon with Overbay? Overbay's numbers haven't been that great vs. southpaws.

Colin Dunlap: As I was walking in here to do the chat, I saw Steve running in on one of the fields from the outfield to get his first baseman mitt out of his bag. That said, I know a shot at 1B, in some capacity, is still in the mix for him.

absolute59: So you have changed your sleeper from Olsen to Corre1a

Colin Dunlap: No, I think both could be effective --- but with Olsen getting injured before I got here, I haven't seen him perform yet. I have seen Correia. And I like how he carries himself.

Colin Dunlap: One more question.

Ben: Clint Hurdle is Paul Maholm's and Ryan Doumit's fourth manager in the six years they played in the big leagues. How are they adapting to Hurdle and do they seem fustrated that they have gone through so many managers in a short amount of time with the same team?

Colin Dunlap: I'm not seeing anyone who doesn't like Hurdle -- really I am not. And, in talking to some guys, none are bringing up the past, truly, they are not. It is honestly a case of moving forward. No frustration, no lingering doubts, no nothing --- just baseball men getting ready for a new season.

Colin Dunlap: And with that, I have to get back out there. Thanks a million, it has been wonderful.

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