They're baaaack!

(photo by John Lembo)

The Pittsburgh Pirates are back at Pirate City, their spring home away from the Steel City since 1969.

The players are headed out to the fields now for their first official workout of the spring, and general manager Neal Huntington addressed the media for a few minutes earlier this afternoon.

One of the first questions thrown Huntington's way was about A.J. Burnett, who the Pirates have acquired from the New York Yankees in exchange for two minor leaguers. But the deal is contingent on Burnett passing a physical, and it also needs the blessing of commissioner Bud Selig because the Pirates have agreed to pay $13 million of the $33 million owed to Burnett over the next two years.

Consequently, Huntington chose not to discuss the 35-year-old righty Sunday afternoon.

"When and if it becomes official, I'll address all the questions on Burnett," he said. "Until then, I'd like to stay with what we have right now in-house."