He came to the Pirates with the hype and hoopla accorded the No. 1 pick in the 1996 draft, an All-American at Clemson whose gifted right arm was supposed to be the foundation on which the Pirates would build their future.

But when Kris Benson left the mound Monday night in what could be his last start in a Pirates uniform, he was considered expendable, a bargaining chip being dangled to acquire a missing piece for an organization still with an eye to the future.

Monday's loss notwithstanding, he is on the best 10-game run of his six-year major-league career, which was undermined by elbow surgery, shoulder ailments and unfulfilled expectations.

"He's certainly turned the corner, and he's pitched the way we always envisioned him pitching," manager Lloyd McClendon said. "He's been fantastic."

So why trade Benson now, when he and the team are doing better? It's the question on the minds of some Pirates followers who have seen some players leave for greener pastures just as they were emerging into prominence.

"We can afford him," general manager Dave Littlefield said. "It's a question of where do we want to invest our money, in Kris Benson or other players."

The Pirates were three games under .500 going into the game last night, and in Littlefield's words: "The goal is to win a championship. We need some more pieces to this team to become a championship team."

While Benson posed in the team photo yesterday, a deal is certain, according to sources inside and outside the organization. The front-runner is the Minnesota Twins, but no names have been agreed upon yet. It will not be Doug Mientkiewicz, who, at 30, stands to make $3.6 million next year. The Texas Rangers could get it done if they change their mind and part with outfielder Laynce Nix.

The Pirates already have invested heavily in Benson. He received a $2 million signing bonus after being drafted and got a four-year, $13.8 million contract just before he required reconstructive elbow surgery. Benson is getting $6.1 million this year. And he might seek a three-year deal for his next contract at least $6 million per season.

What have the Pirates gotten for their money?

Benson is 43-49 in his career with a 4.22 ERA. This season he is 8-8 with a 4.22 ERA. During his 10-game run, he was 4-4 with two no decisions and a 3.00 ERA. By comparison, rookie Sean Burnett, who makes about $300,000, is 5-2 with a 2.84 ERA in eight starts.

A year ago, when the Pirates were dumping payroll to cut losses, Benson and Aramis Ramirez were on the block because both stood to make $6 million this year. But Benson didn't pitch after July 17 because of a right shoulder injury, and Littlefield was forced to deal Ramirez.

His hand is not driven by financial circumstances this time. The deal, Littlefield said, is driven by the organization's desire to get better.