BRADENTON, Fla. -- Much of the conversation around the Pirates over the last month has been about what they lost, not what remains -- about a roster without Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole, a projected payroll cut by at least $15 million and a team with seemingly little chance to contend in the National League Central division.
The talk from the Pirates, however, has been markedly more introspective and optimistic. That was manager Clint Hurdle's tone as he addressed the media on Wednesday following Pittsburgh's first Spring Training workout for pitchers and catchers.