It appears the Pirates are ready to roll the dice in 2015.

Baseball’s winter meetings are going on and a trade or two could happen — or a free agent pitcher may be signed — but the Bucs will likely be gambling in some critical areas next season regardless.

Getting Francisco Liriano to return is general manager Neal Huntington’s top priority right now. Patience is required in this area, however, as Liriano’s value on the open market has yet to be “slotted.”

Once free agents Jon Lester, Max Scherzer and James Shields find their new addresses and dollar amounts, Liriano will have an idea of what he can command salary-wise. His agent has already said they will begin negotiations at either three years, $36 million or four years, $48 million.

If Liriano, Edinson Volquez or some other free agent starting pitcher doesn’t join the Bucs, they’re looking at beginning 2015 with a rotation of Gerrit Cole, A.J. Burnett, Vance Worley, Charlie Morton and Jeff Locke.

There are age, injury and durability concerns all over that list.

With Russell Martin gone, the Pirates are turning to recently acquired Francisco Cervelli as their starter behind the plate. Cervelli can hit, but he’s been injury prone and has never been a starting catcher in the major leagues.

Expecting to even get 100 games out of Cervelli might be a stretch. And how effective will Chris Stewart be for the other 62?

The Pirates could look at a free agent like Nick Hundley or Geovany Soto to join the mix behind the plate, but that’s not likely.

Pedro Alvarez is moving to first base, but is not playing winter ball to get accustomed to the position. A fresh start will likely bring his power-laden bat back to life, but can Alvarez do the job defensively?

A poor fielding first baseman is not something you want to have.

Free agent options at that position are not good. Mark Reynolds and former Pirate Lyle Overbay are the best options. Alvarez is a far better option than either.

For the first time in years, the Pirates pretty much know their starting lineup heading into spring training. Gregory Polanco is being counted on to develop in right field and he probably will.

There remains upside in the bats of Starling Marte and Neil Walker, but Jordy Mercer and Josh Harrison may have peaked in that regard.

The Pirates’ payroll is around $70 million right now. Just to avoid salary arbitration with a number of key players, that figure will jump significantly.

Factor in the money the Bucs are likely to shell out to add another starting pitcher and the payroll could wind up pushing $90 million or more. And that’s still rolling the dice on the rotation, Cervelli and Alvarez.

Without a salary cap, putting a solid contender on the field every year is expensive. That’s not going to change. The Pirates can only spend so much. That’s not going to change, either.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle