If you go What: 16th annual PirateFest. Where: David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown. When: Noon-8 p.m. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. today. Tickets: $10 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under, free for children less than 30 inches in height. Autographs: Jason Bay, Jack Wilson, Zach Duke, Kip Wells, Mike Gonzalez, Freddy Sanchez, and Chris Duffy today; Ryan Vogelsong, Bay, Duke, Wells and Duffy tomorrow. Q&A sessions: Kevin McClatchy, Dave Littlefield and Jim Tracy, 4 p.m. today. Players and coaches, 3 p.m. today. Youth clinic: 2 p.m. today, 1 p.m. tomorrow. Related stories Pirates Notebook: Shhhhhhhhh! Bay silently rooting for Seahawks

A year ago, the Pirates' Kevin McClatchy used the team's annual media luncheon as a platform to accuse other Major League Baseball owners of drinking "some funny water" after what he felt was excessive spending on free agents.

At the luncheon yesterday at PNC Park, the buzz still was about spending on free agents. Only it came with a taste that apparently was far more palatable to the Pirates.

"It speaks volumes, I think, that this team went out and spent the money it did this winter, especially after there wasn't a lot spent the previous few years," outfielder Jason Bay said. "I hope everybody realizes now that there are two ways to get better: One is to give up young talent in trades, which you don't want to do. The other is to spend money out of pocket to fill needs. We did it right."

"Seeing that money getting spent, I think, is motivation for all of us to do better," starter Zach Duke said. "Kevin is saying to us that the money's going to be available if you perform."

The Pirates spent slightly less than $35 million on payroll last season, ranking 29th among MLB's 30 teams, and that figure is projected to rise to $47 million for opening day of the coming season, an increase of $12 million that was praised universally by players and management officials yesterday.

But that hike can appear modest when placed within context.

For one, the Pirates will remain the lowest-spending team in the National League Central Division. The Chicago Cubs are projecting a payroll of $100 million, the St. Louis Cardinals $95 million, the Houston Astros $85 million, the Cincinnati Reds $60 million and the Milwaukee Brewers $50 million. In the league, only the Florida Marlins, who have slashed payroll to less than $20 million, are sure to spend less.

There is lingering uncertainty, too, about how the Pirates' revenue-sharing money is being spent.

Each team last season received an estimated $27 million from a central fund that pools money from national broadcast contracts and other enterprises. The Pirates also received an eight-figure check as a beneficiary of MLB's revenue-sharing system, although McClatchy would not divulge how much. An MLB official told the Post-Gazette last May it would be $18.1 million, but the Kansas City Star reported yesterday that the Royals and other low-revenue teams ended up receiving more than $20 million each.

Put together, that $45 million-$47 million in national money could cover the Pirates' player payroll for next season before any local money is counted. There are other expenses in running the franchise that have been estimated at more than $60 million, but that still does not explain how the Reds and Brewers -- teams in similar markets and facilities -- will spend more.

McClatchy declined to discuss specifics about the team's finances, but acknowledged revenue-sharing money contributed to the decision to boost payroll. He also credited increased attendance last season -- when the Pirates are believed to have made a profit -- and the upcoming All-Star Game at PNC Park.

"The business is in very good shape right now," he said.

McClatchy reiterated his satisfaction with how general manager Dave Littlefield spent the extra money, mentioning the acquisitions of first baseman Sean Casey, third baseman Joe Randa, outfielder Jeromy Burnitz and reliever Roberto Hernandez, who came at a total cost of $17.55 million.

"It was important to give Dave the tools he needed to go out and get these players," McClatchy said. "He's done a great job of getting some veteran players to go with our younger core."

McClatchy did not come close to reprising his criticism of fellow owners, in part, he said, because of his place on MLB's labor committee.

"I think they want me to not be as vocal as I've been in the past. And that's fine because my job on the labor committee is to try to help us get a deal done. I don't want to paint myself too much in a corner about where I sit on this thing."

Asked what he thought of overall spending this winter, he replied, "Teams do what they have to do. Teams like Kansas City and Toronto and Pittsburgh spent more money this offseason. Were there some bad signings out there? You know what? We've done bad signings in the past, so I probably shouldn't point fingers."

McClatchy said the labor committee will be a prime focus in the coming year, as MLB's collective bargaining agreement with its players union expires Dec. 19.

He has been vocal in the past about calling for change to the game's economics, even suggesting a salary cap, to level the financial playing field. But he tread lightly yesterday in that area, too.

"I'm looking toward getting a new agreement that, hopefully, continues to improve the balance in baseball. I think the owners and the players would like to improve the game in different ways. We did a lot of hard work together on the drug policy, and that came outside the regular collective bargaining. I think there's been a better working relationship."

McClatchy's other goal for the year, he added, was finally winning. The Pirates have had 13 consecutive losing seasons, 10 of those since he bought the team in 1996.

"Of course, that's important to me. It's a noose I have around my neck. I'd like to get that behind us and, at the same time, see this group of young players continue to grow and get better."