BRADENTON, Fla. - Nate McLouth and the Pittsburgh Pirates appear headed to a salary arbitration hearing, barring an 11th-hour settlement.

A three-person panel will hear arguments from McLouth, the Pirates' all-star center fielder, and the club this morning in Phoenix and then issue its decision within 24 hours. McLouth is seeking $3.8 million and the Pirates are offering $2.75 million. The panel will pick one of those figures.

Pirates vice president and general counsel Larry Silverman will argue the Pirates' side. Agent Mike Nicotera will be McLouth's lead representative.

Hearings can often leave ill feelings as a player's strengths and weaknesses are discussed. However, general manager Neal Huntington is optimistic the Pirates can argue their case without damaging their relationship with McLouth, who also turned down a three-year contract offer in December.

"We're going to present our case in a way that is respectful to Nate and the type of person he is," Huntington said. "We're going to acknowledge that he played in the All-Star Game last year and won a Gold Glove. It is just that we feel the figure we submitted is more commensurate with what Nate should be making in terms of what other players at his position with the same service time and numbers are making."

• Shortstop Jack Wilson, who was not traded in the offseason despite a winter of rumors, arrived in camp Monday just after the pitchers and catchers worked out at Pirate City.

"I'm ready to go," Wilson said, adding that he was mentally prepared to leave the Pirates following eight seasons but is not disappointed to still be with the club despite agreeing to waive his partial no-trade clause.

While the first full-squad workout is Tuesday, Chairman Bob Nutting and president Frank Coonelly will not address the team until Thursday morning. Coonelly will be attending McLouth's arbitration hearing.

The only player who had not arrived in camp by late Monday afternoon was non-roster infielder Pedro Lopez.

• New first base coach Perry Hill, considered an outstanding infield instructor, held an informal workout with a number of the infielders Monday. Among those participating were Pedro Alvarez, Brian Bixler, Luis Cruz, Adam LaRoche, Andy LaRoche, Ramon Vazquez and Neil Walker.

• The Netherlands team that will participate in the World Baseball Classic will begin working out at Pirate City Tuesday. Former Pirates pitcher and should-be Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven will be the pitching coach for his native country.

John Perrotto can be reached at jperrotto@piratesreport.com