For months, it seemed a lock that Damaso Marte was the most likely of the Pirates' veterans to be traded.

No more.

Management began entertaining offers for him in the offseason, and that never stopped. But those offers continue to come in lower than expected, so a Plan B has been formulated: The Pirates might offer salary arbitration to Marte after this season, assuring that, even if someone else signs him out of free agency, they would receive two quality draft picks as compensation.

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Minor-league report

Saturday's games

INDIANAPOLIS (37-39) beat Rochester, 5-3. RHP Jimmy Barthmaier (2-1, 2.84) allowed one run and four hits in six innings. He struck out eight, walked none. 1B Steve Pearce (.266) went 3 for 4 with a double and two RBIs. SS Brian Bixler (.281) hit his fifth home run and went 2 for 4. CF Andrew McCutchen (.284) and 3B Neil Walker (.230) each went 1 for 4.

ALTOONA (32-41) beat Bowie, 5-0. RHP Derek Hankins (2-3, 3.57) pitched six scoreless innings and allowed two hits. He struck out five, walked one. RF Brad Corley (.292) hit his seventh home run and went 2 for 4. CF Chris Duffy (.235) went 0 for 2 with a walk.

LYNCHBURG (30-45) beat Myrtle Beach, 5-4. LHP Brian Holliday (1-7, 6.58) allowed four runs and five hits in six innings. RHP Tom Boleska (0.00), freshly promoted from low Class A Hickory, pitched three scoreless innings of relief. 3B Jim Negrych (.360) went 3 for 4 with a triple, double and walk.

HICKORY (31-42) won at Greenville, 8-5. RHP Brad Lincoln (4-2, 2.97) allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings. He struck out three, walked one and got nine ground-ball outs. 1B Miles Durham (.338) hit his 13th home run, a three-run shot, and went 2 for 4 with a double.

STATE COLLEGE (1-3) beat Auburn, 2-1, in 10 innings. RHP William Kelly (0-0, 0.00) pitched four scoreless innings and allowed two hits. SS Jordy Mercer, the Pirates' third-round draft pick, went 2 for 5 with a triple.

BRADENTON (0-2) lost to the Red Sox, 5-2. RHP Ricardo Paulino (0-1, 6.75) allowed three runs and six hits in four innings.

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Confused?

OK, start here: Marte, currently making $2.15 million, has a $6 million club option for 2009 that has no chance of being exercised. Once that option is denied, he can become a free agent.

Free agents of the highest pedigree fall into what is called the Type A classification. Those are not determined until after the season, but the Pirates' internal calculations are that Marte should qualify.

If he is signed by one of what are labeled "first-division" teams, meaning those with the highest payrolls, the Pirates would get that team's first-round draft pick in 2009, plus a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds.

If it is not a first-division team, the picks would be slightly lower.

So, the decision the Pirates must make between now and the July 31 trade deadline is whether another team's trade offer is equal to the prospects the Pirates could get with those draft picks. Or, as a Plan C, the Pirates could opt to try to re-sign Marte at a lower rate and try it all again next year.

Marte, 33, has been among Major League Baseball's best left-on-left relievers the past three years, and he has been even better against right-handed batters this season:

His opponents' average from the left side is .262, and from the right it is .202.

Nady, Doumit updates

Right fielder Xavier Nady took indoor batting practice, but there is no indication of firm improvement in his bruised left shoulder, and he continues to look like a candidate for the 15-day disabled list.

"We're just looking to calm the shoulder," manager John Russell said.

A decision on that front is expected as soon as tomorrow. If Nady goes on the disabled list, he would be eligible to return June 30.

Catcher Ryan Doumit, out with a concussion, showed reduced symptoms after a night of sleep. But the Pirates want to see him symptom-free for 24 hours before clearing him.

Buried treasure

• Jack Wilson last night became one of five players in franchise history to make 1,000 appearances at shortstop. The others: Honus Wagner (1,887), Arky Vaughan (1,381), Dick Groat (1,242) and Jay Bell (1,103).

• Toronto pitcher Roy Halladay, struck above the right temple by Nyjer Morgan's line drive Friday, had no issues beyond the initial bruise and remained in line to make his next start. Which was quite the relief to many, including Morgan. "I'm just glad he's OK," Morgan said.

• Class AAA Indianapolis catcher Ronny Paulino was placed on the minor league disabled list because of a sprained right ankle.

• The New York Yankees' starters for the series this week: Darryl Rasner, Joba Chamberlain and Mike Mussina.