"Pitchers around the National League Central breathed a sigh of relief in mid-December when Albert Pujols left the St. Louis Cardinals and signed a free-agent deal with the Los Angeles Angels. A few weeks later, Prince Fielder bolted from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Detroit Tigers.

Just like that, the two top sluggers in the division had not only changed teams, but both also found new homes in the American League.

"We broke out a bottle of bubbly," Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage said, laughing.

The departures mean the Cardinals and Brewers, both of whom made the playoffs last year, must retool with lesser talent. And while they tortured every team in the division, Pujols and Fielder were especially prolific against the Pirates.

"With those guys leaving, I think we've got a shot at winning this division," right-hander Jeff Karstens said. "I think it's wide open.""