North Shore Notes
View from the Crows Nest
By Jim Lachimia

o   One of the most encouraging statements coming out of Pirates' spring training camp was uttered by John Russell who, when referring to third baseman Andy LaRoche, said: "He looks like a totally different player." That's great news Skipper, because Adam's little brother sure didn't look like a very good player offensively or defensively late last season.

o   This winter, the Angels signed Manager Mike Scioscia to a contract extension that will keep him at the helm through the 2018 season. That's unheard of job security for a major league manager, but Scioscia is universally regarded as one of the best in the business. L.A. allowed mega free agents Mark Teixeira and Francisco Rodriguez to walk away, but locked up the skipper who has led the team to four division titles in the last five years.

o   Neither Don Long nor Jeff Andrews had any big league coaching experience when they were added to John Russell's staff prior to last season. That's interesting because Long quietly did some very nice work with the Pirates hitters in 2008, while nothing besides the rise of Paul Maholm seemed to go right for Andrews -- who was fired shortly after the season ended. So is previous major league experience important when hiring coaches? With Long and Andrews as the case studies, the answer is -- it depends on the guy.

o   Tom Gorzelanny looked a lot more like 2008 Gorzo (6-9, 6.66 ERA) rather than 2007 Gorzo (14-10, 3.88 ERA) in spring training this year. That's why he was optioned to Indianapolis (AAA) three full weeks before Opening Day. The 26-year-old lefty said he regrets trying to pitch with a sore shoulder early last season. "Me being hurt last year and trying to fight through it didn't really help my cause," he said. "If I had made a better decision early on, it probably would have been a different season."

o   The squad the Pirates trotted out after dealing Jason Bay and Xavier Nady away last July wasn't much fun to watch, but those trades did what they were designed to do. They improved the team's depth. Third baseman Andy LaRoche (Dodgers), outfielder Brandon Moss (Red Sox) and outfielder Jose Tabata (Yankees) were near the top of their previous employer's prospects list, and Kyle Stark -- the Pirates Director of Player Development -- recently said that minor league pitcher Bryan Morris could turn out to be the best player Pittsburgh got at the trade deadline last summer.

o   The Pirates have their work cut out for them against N.L Central foes this season. Four teams in the division -- Chicago, Milwaukee, Houston and St. Louis -- finished at least 10 games over .500 in 2008, and Cincinnati isn't looking too bad these days either. The Reds' starting rotation of Bronson Arroyo, Edinson Volquez, Aaron Harang, Johnny Cueto and either Micah Ownings or Homer Bailey is deep and talented. Plus GM Walt Jocketty's off-season additions included speedy centerfielder Willy Taveras -- the major league leader in stolen bases last year (68) -- and a reliable veteran catcher in Ramon Hernandez. Young sluggers Jay Bruce and Joey Votto also buoy Cincy's optimism.