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Q: Dejan, do you sense that Dave Littlefield is feeling some pressure to sign a signicant free agent or make a major move in a trade even for the sake of appearance only? Is it possible that Littlefield and Jim Tracy feel they have the nucleus to improve without any major free agent or trade?

I tend to agree with the concept that you don't make a deal that simply creats a shortcoming in another area.

Jack McElligott of Lafayette, La.

KOVACEVIC: What we have seen the past two years, Jack, is that the Pirates have entered an offseason with a fairly specific self-imposed payroll cap, then spent pretty much right up to the penny to get there. That precedent alone is enough to make one wonder if there is some pressure involved.

When I have asked anyone in ownership or upper management if money that goes unspent one year can carry over to the next year -- or if that unspent money can go to developmental ventures -- the answer is yes. But that, as one can imagine, is very difficult to track. And, with the amount of distrust already out there regarding the franchise's spending, perhaps it is the case that the Pirates feel compelled to spend X number of dollars annually.

I do not doubt, however, the Pirates' sincerity in wanting to address their current and specific needs for 2007, particularly if they do as they hope and land a young, left-handed power hitter, difficult as that is going to be.

Q: Dejan, can you shed some light on the Damaso Marte signing? I understand the $3 million option was nullified. But even so, how or why does he figure into the Pirates' plans?

Andrew Rogers of Allison Park

KOVACEVIC: Honestly, Andrew, I am at a loss to explain why Marte did what he did.

For those who need a refresher: The Pirates had a $3 million option on Marte each of the next two seasons, after which he could have been a free agent. Marte forfeited that $6 million he almost surely would have gotten -- if not in Pittsburgh, then somewhere else as a free agent -- in favor of making $2.45 million next season and $2 million in 2007. He also has a $6 million club option for 2009, but the Pirates can just walk away from that with a $250,000 buyout.

So, in essence, Marte gave up $1.3 million. Maybe more, if one considers what he might have gotten on an open market that is paying much more for lesser relievers.

Very strange.

Littlefield has taken more than his share of criticism in this space, but this one is a slam dunk in his favor.

As for your question about Marte's value, it can be either a continuation of a role he filled decently last season, or it can be as trade bait. Especially now that he costs so little compared to what is on the open market.

Q: Now that the Q&A is a daily feature, who will make more appearances this year: the Q&A or Salomon Torres? Keep in mind that while the Q&A will appear once every day, the Pirates sometimes have double-headers

Judd Fuoto of Oakton, Va.

KOVACEVIC: We all pale, in every way, when compared to Salomon Torres.

Until tomorrow ...