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The Pirates are, by all accounts, casting a wide net in their search for a left-handed power bat, particularly in light of an apparent stalemate in the attempt to land Atlanta Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche.

And yet, anytime the subject of the coveted bat is raised with a team official, the name that invariably pops up is that of ... LaRoche.

To be sure, the Pirates have not given up.

According to sources on each side, general manager Dave Littlefield has remained in touch with John Schuerholz, his Atlanta counterpart. And the essence of their discussions, those familiar with them say, is this: A deal can get done if the Pirates give up closer Mike Gonzalez and another major-league player.

Who might that player be?

The Braves have asked for center fielder Chris Duffy, but the Pirates flatly refused on the ground that they believe they have no adequate replacement for the near future. Andrew McCutchen, the organization's top prospect, will open next season with Class AA Altoona.

The Braves also have asked for starting pitching. It is not clear which of the Pirates' four young starters -- Zach Duke, Ian Snell, Paul Maholm or Tom Gorzelanny -- they sought, but it likely was Maholm. It probably does not matter, anyway, given that the Pirates have displayed a clear distaste for moving any of those starters in one-on-one deals, much less a two-for-one.

Those two rejections would seem to quash any chance of acquiring LaRoche, 27, who had 32 home runs and 90 RBIs last season. But the Pirates' continued insistence -- behind the scenes -- that a deal can get done suggests otherwise.

It would appear that the most likely compromise is for Littlefield to throw in another reliever, given that the bullpen is the Pirates' only area of depth and that Atlanta has a general desire to add pitching. But no names have leaked to support this notion and, on the Braves' end, there continues to be little -- or no -- urgency displayed involving a LaRoche trade.

At the same time, as became evident last week, the Pirates no longer are keeping their sights squarely on LaRoche.

Their secondary target, a team official confirmed, is Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Chad Tracy, who would be moved to first base if acquired. Tracy, 26, has hit 55 home runs in his first three seasons of Major League Baseball. That includes 20 last season, when he batted .281 with 80 RBIs. Arizona has a highly regarded prospect, Alberto Callaspo, ready to take third base.

The Diamondbacks are interested in Gonzalez, but they, too, are seeking more.

The names of other potential power bats are scarce for now, perhaps because the Pirates realize LaRoche and Tracy are their best bets and are aiming high. Another young, left-handed hitter on the trading block is Washington Nationals outfielder Ryan Church, but the Pirates do not seem confident that he could emerge into the middle-of-the-order type they want.

This much is becoming clearer by the day: The pressure is on Littlefield from ownership not only to acquire this power bat before the season, but also to have the player fit into the age and experience level of most of the Pirates' roster.

If that pressure holds up, that makes it highly unlikely -- or a last resort, at best -- that the Pirates would further pursue outfielder Trot Nixon, 32, the lone free agent remaining of any significance. Or that they would enter into serious talks with teams shopping other older players such as Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Geoff Jenkins, 32, and Chicago Cubs outfielder Jacque Jones, 31.

NOTES -- The Pirates' chances of signing free-agent starter Brian Lawrence might be fading. The team has refused to improve upon its initial offer -- made last week -- and Lawrence is looking more seriously at two other options. That includes one from the Colorado Rockies, his preferred team. Agent Page Odle said he expects to maintain contact with Littlefield. ... The Pirates have seven arbitration-eligible players still unsigned in advance of the deadline at noon today to exchange salary figures. The most prominent is third baseman Freddy Sanchez, who is arbitration-eligible for the first time after winning the National League batting title. All talks to date have been about a one-year contract, agent Paul Cobbe said. The other arbitration-eligible players are starter Shawn Chacon, outfielders Xavier Nady and Jody Gerut, second baseman Jose Castillo, and relievers John Grabow and Gonzalez.