BRADENTON, Fla. - The Pirates' top brass delivered its annual pep talk to the players this morning, and the message was clear:

"We have a 15-year stretch that we can't dwell on," owner Bob Nutting said afterward. "For most of our history, the Pittsburgh Pirates have been a tremendous, respected franchise, with players who were proud to wear the uniform, who had an expectation of excellence. I believe we're in a position now to begin that execution."

Nutting, team president Frank Coonelly and other officials and alumni took turns for a half-hour addressing all 65 players in camp about accountability, commitment and, above all, pride in the franchise.

Since taking over as principal owner in January 2007, Nutting has replaced nearly everyone in upper management, giving this speech, he said, a different feel from the one he gave last year.

Now, he added, it is the players' turn.

"I hope that they can see in the year that's gone by the real changes we've put in place," Nutting said. "We're committed to being a first-class organization, from the new leadership team to the new coaching staff to the tools we're giving them to succeed. And now, really, the responsibility, the accountability, is shifting onto the field. It's time for everyone to perform."

"We can't worry about skepticism," Coonelly said. "We're moving forward. We're starting now. As I told the players, they do not own the last 15 years of losing baseball in Pittsburgh, and they shouldn't be defined by it. What they own is what they do in 2008 and in the future."

Nutting was asked if he expects the Pirates, despite a relatively inactive offseason and a $50 million payroll that again will rank among the lowest in Major League Baseball, to contend in 2008.

"I certainly believe that," he replied. "I've never professed to be an evaluator of baseball talent, so I trust the guys we have in place to make those decisions. But the optimism I've heard, the enthusiasm I've seen, certainly gives me a wonderful feeling. I think we have the pieces in place that can get the job done."

Nutting also reiterated, as he told the Post-Gazette in January, that he will increase payroll as his baseball people request.

"We'll work on that, and it will depend on the circumstances," he said. "What we've worked to do it to put the team in a position that we can react opportunistically, that we don't have tight financial constraints that hold us back. We're always going to have to live within market-appropriate means, but we have not tied our hands so much that, if that opportunity comes, we can't take advantage of it."

He paused.

"When we do that, it's never going to be about the total dollars, it's going to be about the right choices. In the past, we've had dollars available, as well. We need to make the right choices."

Nutting and Coonelly are in town not only to address the players at spring training but also to participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Pirate City headquarters building later this afternoon.

On the field, with Nutting and Coonelly watching, the Pirates had a three-hour workout highlighted by 18 pitchers - including Paul Maholm, Matt Morris and Zach Duke - taking the mound for live batting practice.

Second baseman Freddy Sanchez (shoulder) remained out of full infield drills, and reliever Damaso Marte (flu) again did light throwing.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.