Only 41 days remain until pitchers and catchers report, and though the Pirates have addressed their most glaring need this offseason, they still have business to attend to before the players arrive in Bradenton, Fla.
They retained an experienced starter to their rotation by re-signing Ivan Nova. They also added Daniel Hudson to replace Neftali Feliz as a hard-throwing right-hander who can pitch the late innings and, possibly, assume the closer’s role if they trade Tony Watson.
But Watson is one of five left-handed relievers on their 40-man roster, the back of their rotation still contains uncertainty and the possibility remains that they trade Andrew McCutchen.