Negotiations between the Pirates and their top draft pick, Clemson left-hander Daniel Moskos, have begun.

Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield talked with Moskos and his representative, Mark Pieper, yesterday.

"We're just getting started on preliminary negotiations," Littlefield said.

It's expected the negotiations won't drag on.

"I don't plan on it being really quick," Moskos said, "but I also don't think it will be real long. There are no outlandish demands."

"We're confident he wants to play professional baseball soon," Littlefield said.

As the fourth pick overall, Moskos likely will receive a signing bonus of about $2.75 million. The Pirates' top pick last year, right-hander Brad Lincoln, received a similar bonus. He also was the fourth pick overall.

The Pirates are free to talk with Pieper about signing Moskos because Clemson's season ended Saturday when it lost at Mississippi State in an NCAA super regional.

"It was definitely a sad day," Moskos said, "but you can't win 'em all."

Moskos, charged with the loss in the super regional opener Friday, finished his season 3-6 with six saves and a 3.29 earned run average. In 79¹/₃ innings, he allowed 80 hits and 33 walks and struck out 78.

Moskos said he'll remain at Clemson for several days working out and throwing. He also might take a short vacation at his parents' lakefront house in South Carolina.

"Maybe do some fishing," he said. "Then when the negotiations are finished, I'll go where the Pirates tell me."