LOS ANGELES -- The Pirates have told Chris Duffy they would like for him to play winter ball, but Duffy has responded that he has no wish to do so.

Potential for another rift between the team and its starting center fielder?

Maybe, maybe not.

For one, unlike the option assignment to Class AAA Indianapolis that Duffy refused in May, he is not required to follow any instructions out of season, as per Major League Baseball's labor terms.

For another, it does not sound as if either side is planning to kick up much dust over this.

"The players ultimately have to make the decision as to what they're going to do," general manager Dave Littlefield said. "In our position, we guide them to what we think is the best direction. But they've got to make their own call. It's their career."

And of Duffy?

"We have several guys where we feel winter ball would be advantageous, and Duffy's one of those guys. That's our feeling."

Duffy's take is that he would prefer to spend the offseason replenishing his strength.

"I'm just looking to do the same thing I've done every offseason," he said, "which is to get my weight back, get strong again and get ready to go through seven months."

And might Duffy be worried about ticking off the Pirates, especially given what happened in May?

"You know, I understand the importance of getting more at-bats and experience. But I think the big thing is that I'm not really the type of guy who can put weight on that easily. Getting stronger, for me, is more important. And I think going and playing more ... it's tough to do stuff through the holiday season with all the family stuff going on. We go for months without seeing family. I just want to get stronger and be ready for next season."

Winter bound

Four players on the Pirates' current roster have agreed to winter assignments: Ryan Doumit will play in Mexico, mostly at first base but some at catcher. Starter Shane Youman, reliever Jonah Bayliss and center fielder Rajai Davis will play in Venezuela.

For Doumit, it will be, as he put it, "a chance to make up for lost time," given that he missed two months of this season to a torn hamstring. But it also will offer an opportunity to fortify his chance of making the roster next season at one position or the other.

"I'm looking forward to getting the reps I need," Doumit said. "Anything that makes me a better player, I welcome it."

It is likely, too, that minor-league first baseman Brad Eldred, who missed almost all of this season to a broken thumb, will play this winter after his stint in the Arizona Fall League.

Old hat already?

Youman will make his second major-league start tonight in the series finale. He made his debut in Cincinnati and a fine initial relief appearance at PNC Park.

All the jitters out of the way yet?

"That actually happened right after the Cincinnati game," he said. "The next day, I was fine. And I just need to keep that same frame of mind."

Buried treasure

A decision regarding Paul Maholm's next start -- his scheduled turn tonight will be missed because of a tender rotator cuff -- could come after a discussion planned for today, manager Jim Tracy said.

Tracy plans to make sure Ian Snell gets two more starts -- including the season finale -- to help his bid for 15 victories. Snell has 14. "He deserves that," Tracy said.

The Pirates' 10-6 victory Tuesday came despite the hitters striking out 15 times. That marked the third time this season a team scored in double digits despite whiffing 15 or more times, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Before that, it happened only twice since 1975.