For Jason Bay yesterday, the Pirates netted:

• A closer-type relief pitcher.

• A left-handed bat that should play well at PNC Park.

• A "Jason Kendall-type" third baseman.

• And a young starting pitcher, who, in the long run, could turn out to be the most intriguing performer of the four.

That latter player is right-hander Bryan Morris, 21, who will go from the Los Angeles Dodgers' Class A Great Lakes affiliate to the Pirates' low Class A Hickory team in the South Atlantic League.

"He has the highest upside," an industry source said last night.

"The sky could be the limit for this kid," said Danny Darwin, the former Pirates pitcher who is Great Lakes' pitching coach.

The others are third baseman Andy LaRoche, the younger brother of Pirates first baseman Adam LaRoche who also was acquired from Los Angeles; and left-handed batting outfielder Brandon Moss and right-hander Craig Hansen, from the Boston organization. They will join the Pirates in Chicago today with LaRoche and Moss likely to step right into the lineup.

Hansen will move into the bullpen.

LaRoche's acquisition not only delighted the Pirates in general, but Adam LaRoche in particular.

"I've got my own personal nanny now," he said kiddingly before boarding the Pirates' charter flight for Chicago last night. "He can cook for me. He's a pretty good baby-sitter. He doesn't know all this yet, though.

"Obviously, this is a dream come true. It's something you dream about as kids, and it's something Andy and I have been talking about for the last five years. It will be pretty special having him on the same team.

"I know he's my brother, but I always thought he was a hell of a ballplayer. It looks like we're going to have a bunch of young players. He should fit in great and be a huge help."

Andy LaRoche, 24, is four years younger than Adam. He entered 2007 as the Dodgers' top prospect by Baseball America. He made his major league debut last season but was bothered by a protruding back disk much of the season. He has power potential and is reputed to be a fine defensive third baseman.

"He's a dirt-bag. He loves to play. He's a Jason Kendall-type," a scout said. "He's a hard-nosed guy."

Moss, 24, was Boston's eighth-round pick in 2002. Last season, he was named Class AAA Pawtucket's most valuable player. He hit 41 doubles, an indication he could have a power bat.

"I have him as a 15- to 20-home run [per season] guy," a scout said. "But he pulls the ball enough that his bat will probably play well in [PNC Park]. He's an average defender, but he can definitely play right field in that park."

The Pirates, however, likely will start Moss in Bay's former spot in left field and play Steve Pearce in right.

Hansen, 24, was Boston's first-round draft pick in 2005 out of St. John's University after being named the Big East pitcher of the year. He pitched for the Red Sox late that season.

"He's the enigma of the four [coming to the Pirates] because of command," a scout said. "If his command's right, he's unhittable."

Hansen, 6-foot-6, 230 pounds, throws his fastball comfortably between 93 and 98 mph and has a great, hard slider.

"I just don't know if he can throw enough strikes," the scout said.

Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said Hansen made an arm-angle adjustment in spring training this year that helped him throw more strikes.

"He showed signs of turning the corner," Huntington said.

Hansen began the year with Pawtucket and did well, but he struggled a bit with the Red Sox after being called up May 5. In 29 innings, he walked 22.

Morris was drafted in the third round by Tampa Bay in 2005. The then-Devil Rays offered him $1.5 million to sign, then rescinded the offer because former ownership felt that was too much money for a high school draftee.

Morris went to junior college, excelled on the mound and was drafted by Los Angeles with the 26th overall pick in 2006. He had Tommy John surgery after that season, but this year struck out 72 and built a 3.20 earned run average in 81²/₃ innings for Great Lakes. He allowed three earned runs or less in 15 of 17 starts.

"This kid is definitely a big league prospect," Darwin said. "He just needs to refine what he has."

Morris, 6-3, 190, throws his fastball 96-97 mph "on a good day," Darwin said, adding that his curve and slider are "swing-and-miss" pitches.

"We're excited about each guy individually," Huntington said. "But, with the depth we got in the whole package, this is an exciting step as we move forward."