Al Behrman, Associated Press Reds outfielder Austin Kearns reportedly could be had in a trade for a pitching prospect. Click photo for larger image. More Pirates Coverage: Pirates Q&A with Dejan Kovacevic

The Pirates have lost out on Jeromy Burnitz, leaving them without a realistic option to find a power-hitting outfielder through free agency.

That means, general manager Dave Littlefield said yesterday, that a trade becomes his primary route.

"We have some trade discussions happening on a daily basis," he said. "When you finish 17 games under .500 and your goal is to win the World Series, there's no quit. We'll keep looking to upgrade."

Burnitz decided yesterday to accept an offer from the Chicago Cubs for one year worth $5 million, plus a mutual option year that could bring the package to $11.5 million. The Pirates' final offer, made late Monday, was for one year in the range of $4.25 million.

The Burnitz agreement will not be official until Major League Baseball approves the Cubs' trade of outfielder Sammy Sosa to the Baltimore Orioles. That is expected today or tomorrow, pending Sosa passing a physical.

Howard Simon, Burnitz's agent, has informed Littlefield that, if the Sosa trade were to collapse, the Pirates would be next in line for his client. But that is considered highly unlikely.

Simon expressed surprise that the Pirates, who have not signed a high-priced free agent since Derek Bell's infamous two-year, $9.75 million contract in late 2000, pursued Burnitz as they did.

"We tried to give the Pirates every opportunity to raise their offer," Simon said. "I can tell you Pittsburgh put their best foot forward."

Littlefield acknowledged a strong desire to add Burnitz, but he added, "We felt we made a fair offer, and that's it."

A handful of players who fit the Pirates' model are known to be available through trade. That includes three of note who are significantly younger than Burnitz, 35, and are on the block because of crowded outfields with their current employers:

Austin Kearns, 24, of the Cincinnati Reds has regressed slightly the past two seasons but already has 37 home runs in 253 career games. He will make $930,000 next season. The Reds are thought to be seeking a pitching prospect.

Aubrey Huff, 28, of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays has 86 home runs and 270 RBIs the past three seasons. He will make $4.75 million next season, $6.75 million the following season. The Devil Rays have asked for a top young starter and young infielder.

Eric Byrnes, 28, of the Oakland Athletics, hit .283 with 20 home runs and 17 stolen bases last season. He will make between $2 million and $2.5 million next season, pending arbitration. The Athletics want a young hitter or potential closer.

Asked if he would part with a pitching prospect -- the strength of the Pirates' system -- to improve the offense, Littlefield replied, "Absolutely. We realize, in our analysis, we've got more pitching at all levels than we do position players. Those types of things have been discussed, and I'm sure that will continue."

What the Pirates will not do, Littlefield said, is set aside leftover money from the 2005 budget toward future seasons. The team is on pace to have a payroll in the range of $33 million, well short of ownership's projected budget of $40 million.

"As GM, you try to use resources that you have," Littlefield said. "We're committed to spend every dollar possible to get better players on the field."

Littlefield would prefer to have a deal by the end of spring training, but he did not rule out waiting into the season.

"We still are sitting here with some dollars to spend. We haven't been in the position in the past couple of years to add established players during the season, but now maybe we can."

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