BRADENTON, Fla. -- Maybe the Pirates don't need to trade for a veteran starting pitcher after all.

Yesterday, they received an outstanding start from Paul Maholm and a decent performance from Tom Gorzelanny -- two of their young left-handers -- in split-squad games, both of which were Pirates victories.

Those efforts followed a fine four innings Friday from Ian Snell and a nice three-inning burst Thursday by Zach Duke.

"We're seeing some of these guys beginning to escalate themselves in the direction that you want to see them going," manager Jim Tracy said.

It sounds so good that perhaps the Pirates can eschew, for example, trading for Boston right-handers Matt Clement or Bronson Arroyo, as has been rumored.

Clement, due $18 million over the next two seasons, is way too expensive for the Pirates' economics.

Arroyo is a better fit at about $4 million a year, but if acquiring him costs the Pirates a young pitching prospect, then it might not be worth it.

And they might be OK as it is.

"Right now, they're a cinch to go over .500, in my opinion," an American League scout said yesterday. "I really believe it. They have as good a defense up the middle as anybody. That, to me, is going to help the young pitchers pitch better because they'll make plays that other teams won't."

The Pirates showed that yesterday.

Second baseman Jose Castillo made a great play on a topped ball to start the game yesterday. Then shortstop Jack Wilson went into the hole to get the second out of the game for Maholm.

"He had 13 ground-ball outs," Tracy said. "That's a lot of ground-ball outs for a nine-inning game, [let alone] a five-inning stint in spring training. That gives you a pretty good idea of how well he pitched."

Maholm, who allowed two hits and a run with a walk and two strikeouts, became the first Pirates pitcher to work five innings in a game this spring.

The Pirates backed him with an 18-hit offensive which began with a 10-run first inning in their 15-5 victory against Cincinnati.

Wilson in demand

Craig Wilson, who reportedly could be the focus of the Clement/Arroyo trade talks, without question could be available in a trade of any kind.

The Red Sox aren't the only team interested in Wilson. Atlanta, Cleveland, San Diego and Seattle also are believed to have asked about Wilson's availability.

"Nothing really would surprise me," Wilson said. "But I think I know about as much as everyone else does -- not much. The only thing I know is what you guys write. If you guys write that I'm a starting pitcher, then maybe I should go get another glove."

Extra-innings win

In the other half of the split-squad doubleheader, Gorzelanny worked three innings against Philadelphia in Clearwater. He yielded five hits, no walks and one earned run and struck out five.

The Pirates won that game, 9-8, on a home run by Gookie Dawkins in the 10th inning.