Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Freddy Sanchez: Wins Tony Conigliaro Award. Click photo for larger image.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- It could be the Rule 5 draft that ends in five minutes.

Or less.

The Pirates will have the fourth pick this morning in Major League Baseball's annual dispersal of fringe talent, but they are expected to let it pass. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs pick ahead of them.

"I can't see too many guys at all being taken," one scout said.

The reason for that dearth is a change in Major League Baseball's new labor agreement that allows teams an extra year in which they do not have to protect young players on the 40-man roster. It used to be that teams needed to protect players 19 or older after three years, players 18 or younger after four. Each requirement now is a year longer and, as a result, an entire class of prospects was wiped out.

Teams must pay $50,000 for any player claimed, and that player must remain on the roster all season or be offered back to his original club for $25,000.

Baseball America lists the top six available players as right-handed pitchers, a need for the Pirates. That includes Pedro Strop, who throws 95 mph and had a 3.42 ERA in 26 innings for the Colorado Rockies' Class A affiliate, and Jason Motte, another hard thrower in Class A who had a 3.69 ERA in 37 innings.

The Pirates do not expect to lose anyone. The lone candidate is starter Wardell Starling, 23, who went 10-9 with a 2.98 ERA for Class A Lynchburg and Class AA Altoona last season.

There also is a minor-league phase to the draft, and the Pirates are thought to be interested in several players there.

Sanchez honored

Third baseman Freddy Sanchez yesterday won the 17th annual Tony Conigliaro Award, presented to the major-league player who has overcome adversity through spirit, determination and courage.

The award is selected by the Boston chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America, which will present it to Sanchez at a Jan. 11 dinner in Boston.

Sanchez, born with a club right foot and severely pigeon-toed left foot, rose through the Red Sox's system, then blossomed into the National League batting champion with the Pirates last season.

Buried treasure

General manager Dave Littlefield said it is likely the team will find its desired utility infielder closer to spring training.

The Pirates plan to find a permanent spot on the infield for Sanchez in 2007, but Littlefield said which position it will be has not been determined. Asked if Jose Castillo could switch to third base and Sanchez to second, Littlefield expressed concern about Sanchez's history of injury before last season, given the greater range needed to play the position.

The winter meetings conclude with the Rule 5 draft.