General manager Neal Huntington said last night he's "very close" to announcing the names of the Pirates' new coaches and that some of the names -- if not all six -- could be announced today.

It's believed that three of those new coaches will be former Pirate Gary Varsho, Indianapolis pitching coach Jeff Andrews and Pirates minor-league infield coordinator Tony Beasley.

Varsho, who was a Philadelphia Phillies coach for five years before becoming Cleveland's roving outfield/baserunning coordinator in 2007, probably will be the Pirates' bench coach.

Varsho was a key bench player on the Pirates' 1991-92 division championship teams.

Andrews, who was on Detroit's list of pitching coach candidates two years ago, was the pitching coach at Altoona for three years, then the Indianapolis pitching coach for two years. Andrews should continue in that role for the Pirates next season.

Beasley, a highly successful manager in the Pirates' minor-league system for years, was the third base coach under manager Frank Robinson for Washington in 2006 before returning to the Pirates' organization in 2007.

Beasley likely will be the Pirates' third base coach.

That leaves Huntington to name a hitting coach, first base coach and bullpen coach.

"There are some moving pieces," Huntington said. "We're looking for positional fits, background fits and teaching skills fits. We're waiting for the last piece. If we get that, it will all align perfectly."

Last night, it seemed highly probable that the hitting coach is that "last piece."

In addition to announcing at least some of the coaches today, the Pirates also will announce their 40-man winter roster. The deadline is midnight tonight, but it's likely they'll have the roster finalized well before then.

Yabuta on the radar

The Pirates are one of five teams trying to sign Japanese relief pitcher Yasuhiko Yabuta.

Yabuta, 34, a right-hander, had a 2.73 earned run average in 58 appearances for the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2007, then declared for free agency.

The Pirates last winter signed Japanese reliever Masumi Kuwata. He pitched in 19 games for them. Kuwata seemed to enjoy his stint with the Pirates, which could help them in their bid to sign Yabuta.

Fall League wraps up

Left fielder Nyjer Morgan and first baseman Jason Delaney each had two hits and an RBI to help the Phoenix Desert Dogs beat the Surprise Rafters, 7-2, Saturday in the Arizona Fall League championship game.

Center fielder Andrew McCutchen went 0 for 4 with a walk but contributed a spectacular diving catch that ended a Surprise rally in the seventh inning.

Morgan and McCutchen each batted .342 in the Desert Dogs' final 10 regular-season games.

Overall, Morgan hit .258 with 18 runs scored and 10 stolen bases. McCutchen batted .286 with eight stolen bases. Delaney hit .234 with 14 RBIs.

Stars and stripes

Team USA, which included Pirates prospects Steve Pearce and Brian Bixler, beat Cuba, 6-3, to win the 2007 World Cup in Taiwan Sunday.