The Pirates probably will begin announcing today the coaching staff that will assist manager Jim Tracy next season.

General manager Dave Littlefield said yesterday the team "likely will have some announcement on staff" today.

It's believed, though, that not all of Tracy's coaches will be announced today.

It has been known for about three weeks that pitching coach Jim Colborn will join Tracy with the Pirates, like Tracy making the move from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

It also has been known for about three weeks that Jim Lett also will leave the Dodgers for the Pirates. Lett will be the third base coach or bench coach for Tracy.

That leaves four coaching spots -- first base, bullpen, hitting and third base or bench -- to fill.

It's conceivable that the Dodgers' situation -- no general manager and no manager -- has delayed the Pirates being able to complete Tracy's staff.

"There's a possibility -- just possibly," Littlefield said.

Dodgers third base coach Glenn Hoffman, who reportedly wants to remain in California, yesterday interviewed for the San Diego Padres' third base coaching job.

Hoffman's brother, Trevor, is San Diego's standout closer, although he has filed for free agency.

Word is, too, that Dodgers hitting coach Tim Wallach would prefer to stay in California rather than come to the Pirates.

It's not known if Dodgers first base coach John Shelby will be part of Tracy's Pirates staff.

Pete Mackanin, who managed the Pirates after Lloyd McClendon was fired Sept. 6, could be on Tracy's staff. Mackanin was McClendon's bench coach and also has coached third base for four major-league seasons.

Jeff Andrews, who was the pitching coach at Class AA Altoona, remains a possible candidate for the Pirates' bullpen job.

NOTES -- Littlefield said yesterday negotiations on a multiyear contract for left fielder Jason Bay are "ongoing," but an announcement seems far from imminent. "In any negotiations, there are a lot of ups and downs," Littlefield said. "Quite honestly, it's hard to describe [where these talks stand]. But they're ongoing." ... Altoona, which played an Eastern League game at PNC Park in 2004, will play another game in a major-league park next season. The Curve is scheduled to play Reading June 12 at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park.