Pirates management has put its fans in a tough spot.

We can't argue that the recent trades might not help down the line. Even though we love Freddy Sanchez, Jack Wilson et al., the team floundered badly with them in the lineup.

To quote Branch Rickey to Ralph Kiner: "Son, I finished last with you and I can finish last without you." Neal Huntington might have said the same.

And, since we know next to nothing about the players we got in return, we can't complain too strenuously about them. They're mostly prospects. Management gives us its assurance that they're budding stars. But given the team's track record over the last decade and a half, those promises are cold comfort.

What management has forgotten is that rebuilding can be done around existing stars and fan favorites. An even better idea from the fan's perspective would be to acquire major league players that we've heard of.

In 1959, no Pirates [player] was more beloved than slugging Pittsburgh-born Frank Thomas. Nevertheless, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Harvey Haddix, Smoky Burgess and Don Hoak.

Since the newly acquired Pirates were all known quantities with impressive major league resumes that immediately joined the team's roster, fans could actually debate the trade's merits.

By 1960, whatever disagreements fans may have had about the trade ended happily. Haddix, Burgess and Hoak had pivotal roles in the world championship team.

Let's hope that the new Pirates are as successful as the 1959 additions.

JOE GUZZARDI, Bradford Woods

This is to all the people who are criticizing Neal Huntington. Did you really think Jack Wilson, Freddy Sanchez and Adam LaRoche were going to get the Pirates a winning season?

In all the years of losing, the Pirates' minor league system has never been so strong.

[Without a salary cap], that is going to be the only way the Pirates can ever dream of competing. Even if an overhaul may be tough to deal with, who could argue that it isn't necessary?

RYAN H. CITRON, Pittsburgh

I have been a Pirates partial season ticket for more than 15 years and have been a fan for more than 70. For the most part it has been enjoyable. Now I feel I am getting ripped off by what ownership is doing to the fans who have supported this team for many years.

Ownership is being generous and absorbing the charge if you order tickets online or from Ticketmaster. Why don't they just reduce the price of tickets since now we have a AAA team representing the city?

[At a recent game], three other season ticket holders [joined me in mentioning they] are not renewing their tickets for next year. This represents 16 tickets just in our section.

Mr. Nutting, are you listening or are you laughing all the way to the bank?

MILTON EISNER, Pittsburgh

I am disheartened and disappointed after reading Ed Bouchette's article ("Big Ben answers some questions," Aug. 2) about Ben Roethlisberger and the "distraction" of the sexual assault charge against him. Casey Hampton's remark that "I know how females are" (implying that the woman's charge is bogus) is offensive and sexist. While I admire his loyalty to his teammate, his comments are misogynistic and careless. As a public figure, Hampton is responsible for his language.

So I ask Hampton: "How exactly are females?"

He would do better to follow the lead of his teammate and focus on football.

LILAH FISHER WISE, New York, N.Y.