The Pirates never broached a contract extension with reliever Shawn Chacon, and he plans to test free agency.

"I had a good time here," he said yesterday. "I enjoyed my time."

Chacon made $3.8 million and likely will be in line for a raise after going 5-4 with a 3.94 ERA. Although 60 of his 64 appearances came in relief, Chacon plans to bill himself as a starter on the open market.

The Pirates also did not approach any of their seven arbitration-eligible players about extensions. Moreover, no assurance was given to infielders Jose Castillo or Josh Phelps, the two arbitration players who might be on the bubble, that they will be tendered.

Final injury update

Reliever John Grabow was nicked on a finger of his left hand in the sixth inning by a Skip Schumaker line drive and forced to leave yesterday's game. He dismissed it as "nothing."

First baseman Adam LaRoche, bruised on his left forearm from being hit by a Randy Flores pitch Saturday, started yesterday and lasted three at-bats -- all strikeouts -- before manager Jim Tracy rested him.

And utilityman Matt Kata, who remained in the game Saturday despite the head-to-head collision with Jack Wilson, was a late scratch. Kata was not diagnosed with a concussion but acknowledged not feeling well.

Crowds down 5 percent

The Pirates' final average attendance for 2007 was 22,141, down 5 percent from the 23,269 of last year. Only three teams in Major League Baseball -- Kansas City, Tampa Bay and Florida -- drew smaller average crowds.

Total attendance was 1,749,142, with two of the 81 home dates lost to rainouts. There were five sellouts, down from six last year.

Buried treasure

By finishing 68-94, with the second-worst record in the majors, the Pirates won the right to pick second in the 2008 draft behind the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Add infielder Cesar Izturis to the winter ball list: He plans to play in Venezuela.

The 18 pitchers used by the two teams yesterday set a major-league record for a nine-inning game. The Cardinals' 10 matched the most by one team. The Pirates' eight tied the team record.