The Pirates will lose out on their bid to acquire free-agent third baseman Bill Mueller, a source close to the negotiations revealed this morning.

Mueller will choose instead to sign a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. A dollar figure was not revealed, but it is believed the Dodgers' offer was not as lucrative as the highest one made by the Pirates. It was Mueller's preference to play on the West Coast, the source said, that defined his decision. The Pirates and Dodgers were the final two teams in the bidding on the final day.

Mueller, 34, was the American League batting champion in 2003, his first year with the Boston Red Sox, and stayed with them the past two seasons. A 10-year veteran and switch-hitter, he batted .295 last season with 10 home runs and 62 RBIs.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.