Monday, 07 January 2013 23:59

Written by Bill Brink

MIAMI — Shortly, I’ll start the drive across Florida to Bradenton, where I will catch up with Pirates players and staff during their winter mini-camp. Spring training begins in only five weeks.

Things I’m interested to discover:

How is Neil Walker’s back? All systems were go at PirateFest and he had started hitting from both sides of the plate.

What has Andrew McCutchen done this offseason? Did he work out at IMG as he did last winter? McCutchen’s ability to turn his speed into stolen bases will an important aspect of the 2013 Pirates.

Is James McDonald in attendance, and what has he done this offseason to correct his second-half performance?

How is Charlie Morton’s rehabilitation going? A Burnett-Rodriguez-McDonald-Liriano-Morton rotation after the All-Star break will contain a lot of questions, particularly with the final three, but has the potential to perform as well.

Are any of the four arbitration cases close to being settled before the exchange of figures?

And finally – in all seriousness – what is this year’s slogan or motivational phrase? Last season it was “Finish.” How do Clint Hurdle and his staff move forward this spring?