WASHINGTON -- Mark Redman has approached the Pirates about a contract extension that would keep him in Pittsburgh for years to come.

		Today Game: Pirates at Nationals, 1:05 p.m. Pitching: Kip Wells (5-7, 4.36 ERA) vs. Esteban Loaiza (3-5, 3.63 ERA) TV/Radio: None/KDKA-AM (1020) and Pirates Radio Network.

Which, he made clear yesterday, is exactly how he wants it.

"This is where I'd love to be," Redman said. "I thrive on defense, and these guys playing behind me ... why would I want to play anywhere else? I'm in a pitcher's ballpark, I love playing for Lloyd McClendon and I like the city."

Redman's current contract is not a common one in the industry.

He has a player option of $4.5 million for 2006 that he can exercise to guarantee that salary. The Pirates have a club option of $4.95 million, but Redman must agree to it or he can declare himself a free agent.

Redman said he has no plans to accept either option and would prefer to test free agency if he cannot work out a deal with the Pirates. But his stated preference is to stay put, which is why he recently approached management about opening negotiations toward an extension.

No salary figures have been discussed, but the terms for any agreement likely would have to be similar to those a left-hander of his stature could get through free agency.

"The ball's really in the Pirates' court," Redman said. "The money difference from my option to the club option is not that significant, and you can just look around to see what I could get on the open market. If it comes to that, I would go to free agency. But I hope it doesn't."

Redman said he anticipates a resolution soon enough so that, if the Pirates decide they do not want to extend his contract, they would be free to trade him by the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

"From their standpoint, if they can get something for me in a trade, a couple players who could help them, I understand. It's a business. But my thinking is that I want to be part of this club not just next year but for three years."

McClendon and general manager Dave Littlefield have said they would prefer to keep Redman, but no one in management has publicly mentioned an extension.

Redman, 31, has a 4-6 record that does not correspond with his many strong statistics, notably his 13 quality starts and 3.42 earned run average. He also has been credited with being a mentor to Dave Williams, the most pleasant surprise of the rotation.

"And I look forward to working with Zach Duke, too, when he gets up here," Redman said, referring to the Pirates' top pitching prospect, another left-hander. "At some point, you have to have some veterans in the Pirates' clubhouse and on the field. I know I've enjoyed that role."

Redman lavished McClendon with praise.

"He's the best manager I've ever had. He doesn't forget how it was to be a player. He stands up for us. I don't know if everyone sees that, but it's not unnoticed in this clubhouse. And he's not easy on us, either. He makes us accountable. I like playing for a guy like that."

He also spoke highly of the atmosphere at PNC Park this season.

"When we got to .500 earlier this month, it was unbelievable to see the reaction of the fans, the way they brought signs and cheered for us. It's a baseball town that's just waiting for us to give them what they want. Can you imagine what it will be like when we do? I'd love to be there for that."

North Side notches

The Pirates will announce today their starter for Saturday. The team has not ruled out Ian Snell, even though he pitched two innings Tuesday. It also could be Duke, who has not started for Class AAA Indianapolis since five days ago. Whoever it is, Littlefield said, will remain in the rotation rather than be a spot starter.

Craig Wilson, out since May 6 because of finger surgery, could begin taking batting practice with the Pirates on the next leg of their road trip in Milwaukee. Littlefield described Wilson as "making progress," based on tests conducted Tuesday. After batting practice, Wilson will begin a minor-league rehabilitation stint.

Even though Salomon Torres has regained full health, he has not reclaimed his role as the top right-handed setup man from Rick White. "It's performance," McClendon said. "When Salomon starts to pitch better, he'll get those opportunities."

Starter Paul Maholm, the Pirates' first-round pick in the 2003 draft, was added to the U.S. roster for the July 10 Futures Game that is part of All-Star weekend in Detroit. He takes the place of Snell. Maholm is 4-2 for Class AA Altoona with a 3.39 ERA.