Pirates Talk: Payroll, Offseason Plans

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has the latest on the Pirates, in articles found here and here.

• Kovacevic says the Pirates "do not plan to pursue a starting pitcher through free agency or trade this offseason."  The Bucs figure to enter Spring Training next year with four rotation spots decided and many options for the last spot.
• As hot stove junkies, we love when GMs are revealing about offseason plans and payroll space.  However, it's often not in the best interest of the team for the GM to disclose that information.  With that in mind, Huntington is staying mum on free agent targets and the team's 2010 payroll.
• Pirates president Frank Coonelly admitted next year's payroll will exceed the current $28MM projection, but wouldn't provide more detail.  Coonelly added, "This is a relatively weak free-agent class. Nevertheless, there are several players who would be of interest to us if they become free agents."  A few weeks ago, Kovacevic suggested Rick Ankiel and John Grabow are possible free agent targets for the Pirates.
• The Pirates fell below their draft and international budgets this year, and Coonelly says that money will roll over to the corresponding budgets in 2010.
• Huntington and manager John Russell are signed through next year.  Coonelly expects both to remain with the team beyond 2010.
• In a Pirates 2010 outlook for MLB.com, Jenifer Langosch names Denny Bautista and Tyler Yates as non-tender candidates.