BRADENTON, Fla. -- "Ronny Paulino is our catcher."

Those were the words of manager John Russell after the Pirates' workout yesterday, and they are echoed at all levels of the team's management.

But ...

Lately, there always seems to be a "but" that follows with this topic, and so it was with Russell ...

"But, as we've told everyone, there's no entitlement anymore," he continued. "You've got to keep doing what you're supposed to do to play. We've relayed that message to everybody, and Ronny knows that."

The Pirates' plan throughout the offseason had been to have Paulino be the No. 1 catcher. Ryan Doumit, the only other experienced catcher in the fold, would instead become a reserve outfielder so that his bat -- which they like quite a bit -- would be available off the bench. Besides, they liked what they saw of Doumit in right field last season.

But ...

Doumit reported to minicamp in exemplary shape, and wheels began spinning.

With the Pirates eager for left-handed power at PNC Park -- witness the long-term contract talks with Adam LaRoche or the planned heavy use of Nate McLouth -- the idea of a catcher in that mold fit, too. If Doumit could overcome his history of injury and some defensive shortcomings, the thinking went, he could be the guy.

And so, shortly after pitchers and catchers reported last week, management quietly informed Paulino that, while he still was No. 1, Doumit could push him. It could be a platoon, or he might just take the job altogether.

Paulino was asked yesterday if he now feels pressure.

"No, I'm really comfortable," he said. "I've been working on some things to make myself better, and I'm improving a lot. I don't feel pressure at all."

Doumit's approach?

"It's a great opportunity, and I'm going to take the bull by the horns. I know what the situation is. I know how Paulino is the starter. He deserves to be. He's earned it. But I'm not going to make it easy on him. It's going to be a competition."

To that end, Russell's staff -- led by bullpen coach Luis Dorante, a catching instructor -- has spent an extra half-hour with each catcher daily.

It is difficult to find meaningful signs in such a setting, but early evaluations have favored Doumit.

One scout for another National League team said after seeing Doumit this week that his improved receiving, footwork and other nuances made him look like "a whole new catcher." Others in the Pirates' management express similar views.

Paulino's focus has been split between working to improve his defense and offense. His once-open stance at the plate has been closed slightly, and hitting coach Don Long's emphasis on driving pitches the other way has paid off nicely in batting practice.

But ...

He has struggled in some defensive drills, from allowing a series of popups to skip off his mitt Thursday to another humbling sequence yesterday.

Manny Sanguillen, in camp as an instructor, was observing Paulino and Doumit during a drill in which balls were being shot from the outfield to simulate plays at the plate. Many will recall, no doubt, that such plays often did not work out well for Paulino.

On this day, too, ball after ball eluded Paulino and, when Doumit failed to corral one, Sanguillen stepped in.

He asked for Doumit's glove and mask, then asked that a ball get fired his way. The first one bounced up into his chest but stayed in front of him. He tried to bend to pick it up but could not. Sanguillen, 63, is less than a year removed from major knee surgery and has difficulty walking.

When he asked for another, the instructors respectfully begged off.

But the point was made.

"It's really exciting to have Manny here," Paulino said. "Having a guy his age trying to explain to us how to do something right there in the field ... that means a lot."

"He played back in the era when men were men," Doumit said. "And he proved it out there. He would have gone out there without a mask."

Sanguillen had a laugh afterward.

"I wish I brought my regular gear," he said through his familiar smile and thick Panamanian accent. "I just want to show everybody that you have to get the ball like an infielder. I used to practice third base to help me with that. Catch it first, then make the tag."

And another point: "I always put my right hand against the ball to hold it in the glove, and nobody knocked it out. I don't think anybody ever taught Ronny that."

Sanguillen speaks glowingly of Doumit, including identifying with his natural enthusiasm.

But ...

He also sounds eager to influence Paulino's personality, which the Pirates long have criticized as too passive, even in tight game situations.

"I think he loves the game," Sanguillen said. "That's fine, but you have to play it the right way."