NEW ORLEANS -- The Pirates are expected to lose some prospects Monday in baseball's Rule 5 draft, when minor-leaguers who aren't protected on the 40-man roster can be plucked by other teams for $50,000.

One prediction has left-handed pitcher Frank Brooks going first overall to the Detroit Tigers. Brooks was obtained from Philadelphia for closer Mike Williams, the first in a series of trades the Pirates made last summer.

Others expected to be chosen include catcher/first baseman Chris Shelton, who set Lynchburg's single-season batting mark by hitting .358; right-handed pitcher Jeff Bennett, who was used mostly as a reliever by Altoona; and center fielder Rich Thompson, who hit .257 at Nashville after he was acquired in a trade for pitcher John Wasdin.

The Pirates have three openings on their 40-man roster, but general manager Dave Littlefield left those players unprotected to create space for free-agent signings. He explained that the openings were more of a priority than protecting the prospects.

There is a hitch with any Rule 5 selection. The claiming team must keep a player on its major-league roster for the entire season or offer him back for $25,000.

Last year, the Pirates' most significant loss in the draft was reliever Danny Carrasco, who was 6-5 with a 4.82 ERA in 50 appearances with Kansas City.

"I wish I had Carrasco back," Littlefield said. "We mis-evaluated that situation."

Minor-leaguer draws interest

He isn't viewed as the answer at third base by any stretch, but the Pirates are poised to give Chris Truby a minor-league contract.

Truby hit .279 with no home runs in 13 games last season with Tampa Bay. He is regarded as a decent fielder but a liability at the plate, and the Devil Rays decided he was not their answer at third base.

If Truby signs, it would be a minor-league deal. If he doesn't make the team, he would provide depth at third base in the minors.

Reese to Devil Rays?

Although the Cincinnati Reds requested medical information on Pokey Reese, they have opted not to pursue him as a free agent.

Instead, the Pirates' former second baseman might be headed to Tampa Bay.

Reese missed most of the season after surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb. He did not return after playing in only 37 games, during which he hit .215 and committed six errors. The Pirates declined to pick up his $5 million option for 2004, leaving him free to negotiate with any other team.

Brown approves trade

The New York Yankees are trying to complete a trade for Kevin Brown.

None of the Yankees' top executives were expected in New Orleans for the four-day gathering. But a day after being stung by Andy Pettitte's departure, the team's top decision-makers got busy on the phones trying to finish deals.

Brown gave his tentative approval to the proposed trade that would send him from Los Angeles to the Yankees for Jeff Weaver.

"We've pretty much completed everything we needed to complete with the Dodgers," said Brown's agent, Scott Boras. "Now, we're dealing with the Yankees."

The main issue from Brown's standpoint involves airplanes. As part of his Dodgers' contract, the team pays for 12 private jet trips for his family from its home in Macon, Ga., to his in-season home or to selected games, and for ground transportation.

"We're just trying to put together a plan for the jet service in his contract with his family," Boras said. "If we get everything worked out, he's consented to go."

Former Pirates outfielder Kenny Lofton also appears headed to New York. Yankees owner George Steinbrenner seems to want Lofton after he .296 with 30 steals for the Pirates and the Cubs last season.

Batista to Blue Jays

Toronto made the first move of the winter meetings, agreeing with free-agent pitcher Miguel Batista on a $13.1 million, three-year contract.

The Blue Jays have been revamping their rotation since the season ended, signing Batista and Pat Hentgen and trading for Ted Lilly.

Batista was 10-9 with a 3.54 ERA for Arizona last season. The Diamondbacks cut him earlier this month when they didn't offer him salary arbitration.

"We tried to force it along," Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. "We didn't want it to linger and linger and have other teams get involved."

Batista, a 32-year-old right-hander, becomes the No. 2 starter on a Toronto team that has finished third in the AL East for six consecutive years behind New York and Boston.

"Pitching against the Red Sox and Yankees, he stated, was real important to him," Ricciardi said.

Short hops

Texas and Boston are talking about a potential blockbuster trade -- Alex Rodriguez for Manny Ramirez. ... Free-agent closer Keith Foulke was trying to decide between re-signing with Oakland or going to Boston. ... Four-time Cy Young winner Greg Maddux might have a new home. He was let loose last week by Atlanta, and the Cubs and San Diego were among the teams said to be interested. Former Pirates pitcher Jeff Suppan, now a free agent, was hoping to reach an agreement with St. Louis.