BUCS PLAN TO RELY ON PITCHING IN TOUGH CENTRAL

The Pirates' division is getting tougher, while their payroll is getting lower, but there was some optimism along with a chill in the air during PiratesFest on Saturday at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh likely won't be anyone's favorite to land a big free agent, finish atop the loaded National League Central or reach the World Series. But after putting together an 82-win season, when some accused them of tanking, Pirates players and management believe their pitching staff can be the foundation of a legitimate contender this year.

Even then, it won't be easy for the Pirates. They watched the Brewers swoop in to sign catcher Yasmani Grandal after reaching the NL Championship Series last year and they saw the Cardinals pick up Paul Goldschmidt and Andrew Miller. They know the Reds will be tougher after adding Yasiel Puig and three quality starters this offseason, and they've faced the Cubs' core at its best.

Meanwhile, the Pirates have seen their projected payroll drop below $75 million -- and players aren't holding out hope for a marquee addition before they report to Pirate City in two weeks.

Taillon and team president Frank Coonelly both noted that Pittsburgh's payroll is a reflection of its roster. Many core players are not yet eligible for salary arbitration and thus will earn the league-minimum salary (or close to it) this season. But Coonelly said Pittsburgh's payroll "will need to grow," like it did from 2011-16, as those players continue to mature and enter their arbitration-eligible years.

The Pirates believe they can take a step forward thanks in part to last year's Trade Deadline additions: starter Chris Archer and setup man Keone Kela. Archer will rejoin Taillon, Trevor Williams and Joe Musgrove in the rotation, and Kela will pitch alongside right-handers Kyle Crick and Richard Rodriguez in front of closer Felipe Vazquez.

That's what the Pirates are banking on, too. Rather than making high-profile moves to address their lineup, they've brought in bounce-back candidates Jung Ho Kang and Lonnie Chisenhall, while acquiring glove-first infielder Erik Gonzalez from the Indians. But they think their offense can improve the most from within, by getting more production from their returning players under new hitting coaches Rick Eckstein and Jacob Cruz.