BRADENTON, Fla. -- If either Ian Snell or Tom Gorzelanny allowed his breakout 2007 to get to his head, it hardly is showing in the Pirates' minicamp.

Each states his approach for the coming season in similar terms:

More of the same on an individual level.

Maybe even better when it comes to the team.

"We put our names out there last year, me and Gorz. We let everyone know we're here," Snell said yesterday after the team's workout. "But there's more we can do. We can go out there and help this team become winners."

"I want to do what I did last season, but I also want to be more consistent, have better command and stay healthy," Gorzelanny said. "If I can do all that, I can build off what I did before and get up to 15, 16 wins. And, honestly, that's what I want, to win games."

He shook his head.

"Look, we all know how it is: We're all sick of this losing garbage. All of us. We don't want to do it anymore. We want to be in the playoffs. If I win 18 games and have a 5-something ERA, that's fine if we win as a team."

Playoffs?

"We have the ability. We have the manpower. We have the depth. And we can be the best rotation in the Central Division. We just have to get it together as a unit, pick each other up."

To be sure, there will be no playoffs, no contention, not even that rare sniff of .500 without Snell and Gorzelanny sustaining their fine form of 2007: Snell's 9-12 record was starkly contrasted by his staff-best 3.76 ERA, 177 strikeouts and 208 innings, the latter two ranking among the top 10 in the National League. Gorzelanny was 14-10 with a 3.88 ERA, 135 strikeouts in 202 innings.

Those are not numbers the Pirates can expect to replace if diminished to any significant degree.

At the same time, the team can expect a record similar to the 68-94 mark of last season if the two aces do not get more help. All three of the other projected starters -- Paul Maholm, Matt Morris and Zach Duke -- had ERAs above 5.00 for the Pirates last season.

Which might explain why pitching coach Jeff Andrews, when asked if the team's fortunes rest on the starters, replied: "Absolutely. They're the nucleus. They're going to be what makes us go. But we need everybody, and we know that. But I like the chances of that happening. We still can get more out of Paul and out of Zach. We know how Matt Morris can pitch. What we need to do is put it all together and have all of our pitchers carrying the load."

Gorzelanny's offseason, other than his November marriage, consisted of little new or exciting. No changes to his repertoire or regimen.

"You ask people who know me, and they'll tell you I'm a pretty simple guy," he said. "I'm not going to worry about throwing a slider in the dirt or how my changeup hits the outside corner. I just kept my head clear and focused on pitching and winning."

Snell engaged in a new conditioning program, one that has him still at 189 pounds but more sculpted.

"Lots of different exercises," he said. "A lot of hoops, too."

And his mind-set?

"I do look back at how last season went, and I'm proud of it. But last year is last year. I'm looking to do better. It's nice to hear other people say good things about you, but I think I can be an even better pitcher than I was."

Snell did not participate in his only scheduled bullpen session of minicamp yesterday, but all concerned were adamant there is no health issue.

"I'm fine," Snell said. "Great, actually."

"This is where Ian's program is," manager John Russell said. "He's right on his schedule."

Snell had been listed as one of six scheduled participants for the final bullpen session of minicamp, but he stood in the background as the other five -- John Van Benschoten, Ty Taubenheim, Marino Salas, Adam Bernero and Evan Meek -- each threw the standard 20 or so pitches.

Minicamp will conclude this morning with conditioning drills.

NOTES -- Bernero's closely supervised session represented another step in his recovery from elbow surgery. He has been pitching off mounds for a month and likely will not be 100 percent for the start of spring training. ... Utilityman Josh Phelps, released by the Pirates in November, signed a minor-league contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. He would receive a $750,000 salary for time spent in the majors, which would represent a $150,000 raise. ... Duke, Matt Capps and a few other pitchers drove to nearby Tampa to catch the Penguins-Lightning game last night.