Sunday, 30 December 2012 23:10

Written by Bill Brink

Happy New Year's Eve to everyone, and I’m sure the Pirates are thrilled to watch 2012 fade in the distance.

Soon we can see the 2013 version in action, beginning with mini-camp in Bradenton, Fla. starting Jan. 7. Pitchers and catchers report in the second week of February. Between now and then, the Pirates must settle some interesting arbitration cases.

Questions remain despite the offseason acquisitions. Did the Pirates get Mark Melancon’s production from 2011 or ’12? How does the jumble at first base and the corner outfield settle itself? Who wins the fifth rotation spot? Can Francisco Liriano find the strike zone, and his 2010 form? And, most importantly: Are the Pirates better with their current roster than they were in 2012

We will look at all of these in the coming days, and I’ll have coverage from Bradenton during mini-camp.