The Pirates yesterday acquired a veteran left-handed pitcher without signing a free agent or making a trade.

Mark Redman, who will turn 32 Jan. 5, eschewed free agency and exercised his player option on a $4.95 million contract for the 2006 season.

It's highly doubtful Redman -- even in what appears a "down" market this winter -- could have done as well financially had he made himself a free agent.

Redman, acquired from Oakland last Nov. 27 in the Jason Kendall trade, was 5-15 with two complete games, a shutout (May 14 against Milwaukee) and a 4.90 earned run average in 30 starts for the Pirates. The Athletics are responsible for $1.75 million of Redman's 2006 stipend.

"He's a veteran, and we have a lot of young guys," Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield said. "I would anticipate he'll be part of our staff next season."

"Obviously, we won't know if he'll be in a Pirates uniform until next spring," said Casey Close, Redman's agent. "But he enjoyed his year there, he's healthy and he's preparing for a big season next year."

Redman, bothered some by nagging injuries, had a Jekyll-Hyde season in 2005.

In his first 14 starts, he had a 2.80 ERA and allowed three earned runs or less in 13 of those starts. Because of abysmal run support, his record in that span was 4-4. In his final 16 starts, Redman had a 1-11 record and a 7.20 ERA.

Redman, 53-66 with a 4.47 ERA in his career, had one win in 17 starts after June 10.

Barring trades, Redman will go to spring training in February battling Kip Wells, Oliver Perez, Zach Duke, Paul Maholm and Dave Williams -- to name five -- for a spot in the starting rotation.

Yankees

Former Pirates outfielder Matt Lawton was suspended for a positive steroids test, becoming the 12th player penalized for violating the league's policy. Lawton, acquired by the Yankees from the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 27 and then left off New York's postseason roster, became a free agent last week. He would serve a 10-day suspension at the start of next season. Lawton, who was traded by the Pirates to the Cubs before the trading deadline last season, said the positive test occurred after he was acquired by the Yankees but did not answer other questions. The substance he tested positive for was boldenone, a person familiar with the tests results said.

Elsewhere

Outgoing Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein dismissed reports that a power struggle with team president Larry Lucchino led him to walk away from the organization this week. ... Chicago Cubs pitcher Greg Maddux won his 15th Gold Glove, one shy of the record shared by pitcher Jim Kaat and third baseman Brooks Robinson. Carl Lindner agreed to sell the controlling interest in the Cincinnati Reds to a group of area businessmen, keeping baseball's first professional franchise in local hands. ... Former Baltimore manager Lee Mazzilli rejoined the New York Yankees as Joe Torre's bench coach.