BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Optimism always runs high on the first day of spring training, even for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“This club has a feel that we can be a postseason team, that we can be a team that can advance deep in the postseason,” general manager Neal Huntington said Wednesday as workouts started. “Championship teams are based typically around starting pitching and you win the games you’re supposed to win because of your back end. Then you score.”

The Pirates were 82-79 last season, a bit of a surprise after Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole were traded.

The Pirates haven’t been to the postseason since winning the first NL wild card for three straight seasons from 2013-15.

They have not won a division title since 1992.

However, the Pirates believe they can contend this year because of a rotation that includes Jameson Taillon, Chris Archer, Trevor Williams and Joe Musgrove. All-Star closer Felipe Vazquez anchors the bullpen.