MLB Insiders-Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates' search for a right-handed setup man has led them right back to where they started.

The Pirates are in discussions with the agent for right-hander Shawn Chacon, who emerged as one of their top setup relievers last season. It appeared Chacon would likely be priced out of the Pirates' range when he filed for free agency in November, but he could be coming back. Reportedly, the Pirates, Detroit, Houston and the New York Mets are in the running for Chacon, who was 5-4 with one save and a 3.94 ERA in 64 games, including four starts, for Pittsburgh in 2007.

Chacon pitched for the Rockies from 2001-05 and grew up in Greeley, Colo., but interest waned after Colorado signed right-hander Luis Vizcaino to a two-year, $7.5 million contract. Ironically, the Pirates were the other finalist before Vizcaino chose the Rockies, then lost out to Philadelphia in the bidding for free-agent Chad Durbin.

Another free agent reliever who has been linked to the Pirates is Octavio Dotel, who split last season between Kansas City and Atlanta, going a combined 2-1 with 11 saves and a 4.11 ERA in 33 games.

--RHP Mike Thompson and C Miguel Perez were signed as minor league free agents and invited to major league spring training. Thompson, 27, was 0-1 with a 6.89 ERA in seven relief appearances with San Diego last season and 4-11 with a 6.24 ERA in 23 games (22 starts) with Class AAA Portland. He made his major league debut with the Padres in 2006 and was 4-5 with a 4.99 ERA in 19 games, 16 starts. Perez, 24, hit a combined .322 with eight homers and 45 RBI in 42 games last season for Class AA Chattanooga, high Class A Sarasota and rookie-level Sarasota in the Cincinnati organization. Perez played briefly in the major leagues with the Reds in 2005, going 0-for-3 in two games.

--C Michel Hernandez and IF Jorge Velandia, who agreed to terms with the Pirates on minor league contracts earlier in the winter, were given spring training invitations.

--RHP Brian Rogers re-signed with the Pirates as a minor league free agent after being dropped from the 40-man roster. Rogers, 25, was 0-0 with a 13.50 ERA in three games with the Pirates last season and 2-1 with two saves and a 3.05 ERA in 48 games with Class AAA Indianapolis. He made his major league debut with the Pirates in 2006, going 0-0 with an 8.31 ERA in 10 games.

--RHP Adam Bernero, who missed last season after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery, was signed as a minor league free agent. Bernero, 31, has pitched in the major leagues with Detroit (2001-03), Colorado (2003-04), Atlanta (2005), Philadelphia (2006) and Kansas City (2006), going 11-27 with a 5.91 ERA in 150 games, 37 starts.

--IF Jose Castillo, who spent the past four seasons with the Pirates before being released on Dec. 12, signed a one-year contract with Florida. Castillo, 26, hit .244 with no homers and 24 RBI in 87 games last season.

--Everett Russell and Rodney Henderson have been promoted from area scouts to regional supervisors. Russell will oversee the Midwest, and Henderson will be responsible for the Southeast. The Pirates also hired Rob Guzik as their Northeast supervisor, promoted Matt Bimeal from a part-time to full-time area scout and hired Josh Shaffer as an area scout.

BY THE NUMBERS: $50 million -- The Pirates' projected payroll for 2008, which will likely be either the third-lowest or fourth-lowest in the major leagues, ahead of only Florida, Tampa Bay and possibly Washington.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I firmly believe that ownership will give us the resources to be competitive. I wouldn't be here if I didn't feel that was the case." -- Neal Huntington after being hired as general manager on Sept. 25.

MEDICAL WATCH:

CF Chris Duffy (left shoulder surgery in August 2007) is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.

LHP John Grabow (bone chips in left elbow) decided against having offseason surgery. He hopes a program of rest and rehabilitation will have him ready for spring training.

2B Freddy Sanchez (arthroscopic right shoulder surgery in September 2007) is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.