Matt Capps is about to choose his next employer, and it evidently will be a new one.

Capps, the Pirates' closer the past three seasons who was released Dec. 12, said last night that he expects to sign with either the Chicago Cubs or Washington Nationals "in the next couple of days," this after hearing from 16 teams, including the Pirates, during his brief time as a free agent.

"The way I see it, it's a great opportunity, a great situation whichever way I go," Capps said. "To be in Chicago with that atmosphere every day, and to look at the improvements they've made in Washington ... this will be good either way."

The Pirates had not formally withdrawn from the process as of yesterday afternoon, but a team official confirmed they had shifted their focus elsewhere.

General manager Neal Huntington had maintained contact with Capps and his agent, Paul Kinzer, after the Pirates declined to tender him a contract toward salary arbitration. Capps made $2.425 million this past season while posting a 5.80 ERA and, at the time of the non-tender, the Pirates expressed a concern that the arbitration process could produce an award well above what they felt was fair value.

The Pirates' final offer to Capps was close to $3 million.

Capps has received better salary offers from the Cubs and Nationals, and they might cover more than one year.

Of the Pirates no longer being in the equation, Capps said, "It's a shame it worked out the way it did, but I'll say it again: I've enjoyed every minute I've spent in Pittsburgh, and I look forward to every time I'll come back there."

Capps is being pressured from Chicago and Washington, not only from those teams' general managers but also from a few former Pirates: John Grabow and Tom Gorzelanny with the Cubs, Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett with the Nationals.

"Been really nice to hear from those guys, but I have to make up my own mind and do what's best," Capps said.

If Capps goes to Chicago, he likely will be a setup man to Carlos Marmol. In Washington, he would continue to be a closer.

NOTES -- Justin Duchscherer, a free-agent pitcher the Pirates have been courting for several weeks, is close to signing with one of the three teams that has made him a paper offer. The Pirates were not among those, as of yesterday. ... Three minor league veterans were re-signed for Class AAA Indianapolis: starters Jeremy Powell and Corey Hamman, and first baseman Brian Myrow.

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