RHP Yoslan Herrera, RHP Tyler Herron, 1B Kent Sakamoto, 3B Eddie Prasch, 3B Bobby Spain, 3B Brett Willemburg, OF Butch Biela, OF Justin Byler, OF Jason Delaney, OF Jared Keel

No big losses here, although there are a few notable names. Herrera had a nice season last year, with a 3.23 ERA in 97.2 innings in AA, and a 2.30 ERA in 15.2 innings at AAA. However, Herrera is 28 years old, and turns 29 in April, so it's expected for him to dominate AA and even AAA pitching at this point. Herrera put up a 9.82 ERA in 18.1 innings in the majors in 2008.

Tyler Herron was acquired by the Pirates this year, after being released by the St. Louis Cardinals. Herron was once a top pitching prospect with the Cardinals, but fell off at the AA level, putting up a 4.40 ERA in 71.2 innings between the AA affiliates of Pittsburgh and St. Louis this year.

Jason Delaney looked great in Lynchburg a few years ago, with a .340/.432/.536 line in 250 at-bats, but didn't live up to that in AA or AAA, with a .277/.377/.409 line in 1025 AA at-bats, and a .248/.361/.327 line in 101 AAA at-bats. Delaney turned 27 on Monday, and while he has great OBP numbers, he doesn't provide any power, which hurts from the first base position.

Jared Keel spent the last two seasons in Lynchburg, combining for a .233/.367/.433 line in 711 at-bats. Keel hit 31 homers in that time span, but couldn't hit for average, with his best season being a .261 campaign in Hickory in 2007.

The Pirates also granted free agency to Denny Bautista, who was designated for assignment on October 20th.