Tuesday, August 19, 2003

By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Defining the Pirates' plan is difficult.

	Dave Littlefield, Pirates GM "People have to be productive to be long-term Pirates."

General Manager Dave Littlefield, the man in charge of putting the blueprint together, sounds evasive when it comes to specifics. But part of the reason is that future moves depend on a lot of variables.

"In my job, everything is subject to change. You have to be flexible," he said.

That doesn't provide many clues as to what the Pirates -- who have undergone a roster turnover from spring training after a roster turnover from a year ago -- may look like next year. But here's one certainty: the roster will be younger and cheaper.

There is one clue as to what direction the club is heading. It has to do with money, not surprising since Kevin McClatchy has said the team will have losses of $30 million over three years.

Under baseball's current system, a team actually controls the salary of a player for the first three years. They're called zero-to-three guys, with the numbers referring to their service time. A player is eligible for salary arbitration, which always means a hefty raise from figures that are at or near the minimum $300,000 salary, in his third through sixth year. After six years, they can opt for the riches of free agency.

	More Pirates Coverage: Pirates Report: 8/19/03 New Orleans man big buyer at auction ... a word from our columnists Bob Smizik: Decision to rebuild makes future bleak Brian O'Neill: Stats Geek says: Pirates' present is better than before salary dump, and asks, what about the furture? A day-by-day look at the 1903 Pirates, who won the National League pennant and played in the first World Series. August 19, 1903 The first-place Pirates (66-35) were rained out against the second-place New York Giants (61-40) at the Polo Grounds. The game was to be made up as part of a doubleheader the following day. The Giants came into the series losing three of their previous four games. Before that, they had won 12 of 13. The Pirates had lost three of their past five games after winning four of five. -- By Randy Stoernell

Look for the Pirates to have a number of zero-to-three guys next year, with a sprinkling of veterans who, in Littlefield's words, provide good value.

"With the system set up as it is, you're only going to have a player for a certain number of years unless they're very productive or unless it's a very reasonable contract for the latter part of their arbitration years," Littlefield said. "People have to be productive to be long-term Pirates."

Money may not have been the only reason, but it was a consideration in the departure of Mike Williams, Scott Sauerbeck, Kenny Lofton, Aramis Ramirez, Jeff Suppan and Randall Simon. The only player acquired in those trades who is on the major-league roster is third baseman Jose Hernandez, and he will be a free agent at the end of the year.

Littlefield said it is likely that the Pirates' third baseman next season will come from outside the system.

It should be pointed out that since the trading began, the Pirates are 2 1/2 games closer to first place and are eight games under .500 instead of 10.

What's unknown is what the team can expect down the road from the return prospects: left-handed reliever Frank Brooks, second baseman Bobby Hill, middle infielder Freddy Sanchez, outfielder Ray Sadler and pitcher Matt Bruback. Bruback may not even be with the team since he can currently be claimed on waivers, a telling indication of his status.

Hill and Sanchez are thought to be major-league ready and will be in the mix for jobs next spring. Even so, there are decisions to be made and holes to be filled while using the financial flexibility the Pirates keep talking about.

At first base, Craig Wilson is arbitration-eligible, and Matt Stairs would cost about $1 million to bring back if he's not traded. Or the Pirates could pursue a trade or free agent.

Second base is a question mark. Hill could win the job with a good spring. The injured Pokey Reese has a $5 million option for next season, which seems too pricey. Perhaps Jeff Reboulet can return for another year as a utilityman. Abraham Nunez is arbitration-eligible and may be overpriced for his contributions.

Sanchez was a shortstop who was moved to second base in the Red Sox's system because of Nomar Garciaparra. He will get a look at both positions.

Within the minor-league system, Jose Castillo is playing second base and shortstop for Class AA Altoona. He most likely will spend next season with Class AAA Nashville.

At shortstop, Jack Wilson is expected to be back, but nothing is a lock. After all, he is arbitration-eligible.

Neither Hill nor Sanchez is considered to have the power to be a third baseman, but both can be a backup there.

Other positions depend on who is brought back. If Jason Kendall and Brian Giles are traded, which in the minds of some would downgrade the Pirates to the status of the Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Devil Rays, there are big holes to fill. Even if Reggie Sanders is brought back, he will need plenty of time off in right. Tike Redman likely will get a longer look in center, but he hasn't shown he's an everyday major-leaguer.

But remember, as late as minicamp in January, the starting center fielder was Rob Mackowiak.

Get ready to see some new faces and learn new names. The only constant is change.

As Littlefield has said more than once: "We have our challenges. We have flaws, and we have to overcome them in some way."

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