DALLAS -- The Pirates aim to convert some newfound financial relief into right-handed relief.

	Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Mark Redman was traded to the Royals for minor-league reliever Jonah Bayliss and a player to be named. Click photo for larger image. Related coverage Casey as good off the field as he is on it Pirates Notebook: Deal for Casey to close today

General manager Dave Littlefield yesterday sent starter Mark Redman and his $4.5 million contract for 2006 to the Kansas City Royals for minor-league reliever Jonah Bayliss and a player to be named, and he did so without having to pick up any of Redman's salary. This despite Redman nosediving to a 1-10 record in his final 16 starts of 2005.

The Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies also had inquired.

Asked if he was surprised by the interest in Redman, Littlefield replied, "I think you learn not to be surprised, but just to react to what's going on in the marketplace."

Setting aside the players headed to Pittsburgh, the immediate and most tangible benefit to the trade is the freedom it gives Littlefield to continue his goal of upgrading right-handed relief, right field and third base. The acquisition of first baseman Sean Casey from the Cincinnati Reds -- expected to be formally announced today -- cost the team $5.6 million out of an estimated $15 million winter budget, but moving Redman restored most all of that.

How will Littlefield spend it?

Strong indications on the third day of Major League Baseball's winter meetings were that it would be on a reliever with experience in late innings, an area Littlefield reiterated was his top priority after first base.

Two relievers in whom the Pirates have shown a strong interest are Braden Looper and Roberto Hernandez, agent Randy Hendricks confirmed last night.

Looper, 31, had 28 saves in 36 opportunities last season as the New York Mets' closer and a 3.94 earned run average. He made $5.3 million and is seeking a two-year deal on a similar pay scale.

Hernandez, 41, was Looper's setup man and made 67 appearances while posting a 2.58 ERA. Because of his age, he surely would have to settle for one year.

Hendricks said nothing was imminent with either pitcher.

The most prominent of Hendricks' reliever clients, Todd Jones, also was approached by the Pirates, but Jones, the Florida Marlins' closer last season, was close to a deal with the Detroit Tigers late last night.

Another free agent with closing experience, Antonio Alfonseca, will become a target for the Pirates, agent Juan Iglesias predicted.

Iglesias said he believed the Pirates were waiting until after the deadline for previous employers to offer arbitration to free agents, which passed at midnight last night. Alfonseca, 33, is coming off a 78-appearance season with Florida and is thought to be seeking two years and $5 million.

In other developments:

The Pirates are believed to have asked Detroit about trading for right fielder Craig Monroe. Monroe, 28, is a right-handed hitter who batted .277 with 20 home runs and 89 RBIs last season. He is first-time eligible for arbitration after making $400,000. The Tigers covet an experienced starting pitcher.

In addition to looking into Monroe, the Pirates continue to discuss trading with the Red Sox for Trot Nixon or signing free agent Jacque Jones of the Minnesota Twins. Both are right fielders, part of a growing indication the team is looking to trade Craig Wilson, who has been pushed off first base by Casey's addition.

Utilityman Rob Mackowiak is being offered to other teams in trades.

Bayliss, 25, was promoted in June from Class AA Wichita to Kansas City, where he posted a 4.63 ERA in 11 appearances. A right-hander, he has a live fastball, along with an effective sinker and slider.

Littlefield said Bayliss should start next season in the minors.

"He probably needs to command the ball a little more to become consistent," Littlefield said. "We're very pleased to add another power arm in the bullpen."

Littlefield said the player to be named in the Redman deal likely will be revealed after the Rule 5 draft, which begins at 10 a.m. today. It's possible the Royals will give the Pirates the first overall pick in the draft.

Although Redman was part of the Jason Kendall trade with Oakland two years ago, none of the cash aspects of that transaction will be affected by the deal yesterday, Littlefield confirmed. That means the Pirates still will receive $1.75 million from the Athletics next year, then pay $5.5 million the following year.