It might be difficult to ascertain exactly what has been the lowest point in the Pirates' 14 years of losing, but four consecutive games they've put together this week certainly deserve serious consideration.

Monday, the Pirates had the bases loaded with no one out in the last of the ninth of a tie game with the Arizona Diamondbacks and failed to score and eventually lost. Tuesday and Wednesday, they took 4-0 leads early against the awful Kansas City Royals, but didn't take advantage of additional opportunities and lost. Yesterday, in a game that was pure ugly, they were beaten by Kansas City, 15-7.

By performing as they did against the Royals, the Pirates at least saved themselves from the embarrassment of being swept by the worst team in baseball. They were swept by the second-worst team in baseball. They are the worst team in baseball.

So let's get on to the business of breaking up this failed experiment. It's time to acknowledge that the team's mid-winter spending spree was a colossal blunder. It's time to admit the almost $20 million spent on rental players was once again a band-aid that didn't stick and had no chance of fixing the problem.

In retrospect, it's almost laughable that general manager Dave Littlefield and his staff thought the addition of first baseman Sean Casey, who they are paying $7.5 million; outfielder Jeromy Burnitz, $6 million; third baseman Joe Randa, $4 million; and reliever Roberto Hernandez, $2 million, could make a difference in the fortunes of the team.

With the exception of Randa, who has been hurt most of the season, the overpaid additions are performing about as expected, and the result is the laughing stock of the town. Once again, the evaluating skills of Littlefield and his staff are in question. They seriously thought these new players had a chance to make the Pirates a .500 team instead of one that is 22 games under .500 and on pace to lose 105 times.

All that's left of this nightmare is to sell off what parts are worth anything and get on with the business of making the future better. The present is a lost cause.

Moving players who do not fit into the team's 2007 plan will open spots on the roster for several pitchers who have earned a promotion on the basis of their work at Class AAA Indianapolis and also for Chris Duffy, when he plays his way back into shape, and Ryan Doumit, when he comes off the disabled list.

The Los Angeles Angels are said to be interested in Craig Wilson. The Angels, in last place in the American League West but not out of contention, have a serious lack of offense at first base. In 269 at-bats before yesterday, their first basemen had produced five home runs, 23 RBIs, a .223 batting average and a .320 slugging percentage. In 202 at-bats, Wilson has 10 homers, 32 RBIs, a .267 batting average and a .485 slugging percentage. Clearly, Wilson would be an upgrade for the Angels.

That doesn't mean the Angels will pay heavily for him. They are not likely to mortgage their future for a player of Wilson's talent who will be a free agent at the end of the season.

There's a widely held perception that teams can secure good prospects by dealing veterans at this time of the year. Although that has been known to happen, more often than not the players being exchanged for the veterans are more suspect than prospect.

Still, Wilson is a player who could help a lot of teams and might bring some value in return. The same can't be said for most of the rest of what the Pirates will be offering.

Burnitz, who has 11 home runs, could help a contender off the bench or possibly as a platoon outfielder. Teams might think twice before adding such a player at such a cost. The Pirates could be expected to pick up part of what's left on his contract.

Hernandez also could help a team. But, at 41, he's a very short- term fix, and no one is giving up anything of quality for such a player.

There is little or no market for Randa, especially with him carrying a $4 million salary.

Starter Kip Wells has the talent to help any team, but getting it out of him is another matter. He was extremely disappointing in his first start Tuesday. If he gets on a roll, there will be interest.

Reliever Ryan Vogelsong is attracting no interest, but that doesn't mean the Pirates shouldn't consider removing him from the roster, particularly after another terrible performance yesterday. Unlike at the start of the season, Vogelsong is holding back a younger pitcher who has a future with the team. Josh Sharpless and Jonah Bayliss, both 25, have pitched well out of the bullpen at Indianapolis and would be a better fit for the team this year and the future.

Sean Casey is the Pirates' toughest call. He can be a productive player and is better than anyone they have at first base. But are they willing to give him three years at $15 million to $18 million? If they're not, he, too, should be made available.

It's June, and the season is over. Nothing much changes with the Pirates.