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Sunday, September 02, 2001

Compiled by Robert Dvorchak

CINCINNATI -- Putting the blame on where the Pirates went sour this season is obvious -- just about everywhere. Fixing the problem requires a tad more effort. But the thinking around the clubhouse is that the biggest, most immediate need to turn this team around is finding another starting pitcher.

Wanting to land a proven No. 3 starter on the free-agent market and being able to do it, however, are two separate issues.

"Yeah, I would like to pursue pitching," Manager Lloyd McClendon said. "I don't think you ever have enough pitching. You're only as good as the guy toeing the rubber. Ideally, I'd like to see 10, 12 starters in spring training."

It's the job of the manager and the coaching staff to use what the front office gives them in the way of talent, but pitching coach Spin Williams agrees that acquiring a starter would be the top off-season priority.

"If somebody asked me, that would be my recommendation," Williams said.

In hindsight, the seeds for this season's failures were sown when the Pirates failed to land a free-agent pitcher last season and gambled that Francisco Cordova and Jason Schmidt would be healthy after surgeries. Not only did that not happen, Kris Benson required reconstructive elbow surgery and injuries felled backup starter Terry Mulholland.

Given what happened, it would be folly to assume Benson will be sound when he returns next May.

"I don't think you can assume that," McClendon said.

The pool of pitchers available on the free-agent market, however, isn't as deep as last year when players such as Mike Mussina and Mike Hampton signed big contracts. The top talent could be Schmidt, whose price has only gone up since he was traded to the Giants.

If the Pirates didn't feel they wanted Schmidt at his asking price before the deal, it's hard to imagine they'd find the wherewithal to afford him on the open market.

A for effort

One reason pitching will be a priority has been the performance of Jimmy Anderson, a second-year left-hander who showed flashes of improvement but overall, with a 6-16 record and 5.80 ERA, has disappointed for not improving from last year.

As of right now, Anderson would not merit a spot in next year's rotation.

"I thought he was ready to take the next step. Maybe he is," McClendon said.

But Williams say he's to blame for Anderson's showing because he tried to make adjustments in Anderson's delivery -- making him faster to the plate, trying to get him to hold runners better, etc. -- between starts in the middle of the season.

"I've done a bad job. I overcoached Jimmy a little bit," Williams said. "I thought he could do more. I put too much pressure on him. I'm at fault for that. I told him I feel just as bad as he does."

When Anderson threw on the side Friday, Williams didn't give him a word of advice. The thinking is to try to let him clear his mind and let him find his old groove.

"Jimmy's worked hard at what we've asked him to do. He keeps taking the ball and trying to get better. But things kind of backfired. Probably the hardest thing to do up here is to change things between starts," Williams said.

Look for the adjustments to be preached next year in minicamp and spring training.

"I'm disappointed I haven't been able to get more out of him. I know it's there. I've seen it in games, seen it in his sidelines," Williams said. "I'm not giving up."

Bright spot

A power bat would be another welcome addition to a team that is last in run production, but the emergence of Aramis Ramirez as a run-producer has been one of the brightest spots in an otherwise bleak season.

He should finish with more than 100 RBIs, break the franchise record for most home runs hit by a third baseman and have an average around .300. And while he has played parts of three seasons for the Pirates, this is his first full year in the majors. And he's only 23.

Brewers Manager Davey Lopes was impressed with the power of Ramirez, who has hit more home runs this year than he has at any professional level even though he always hit for power in the minors.

"He's improved a lot this year," Lopes said. "Even when he's fooled on a pitch, he scares you. He's a very dangerous hitter now. He complements [Brian] Giles very well."

Ramirez is not about to coast to the finish line, either.

"I'm not satisfied. I'm going to play the game as hard as I can," Ramirez said.

He's also aware his breakthrough season is juxtaposed against a miserable year for the team.

"I can't celebrate. I can't enjoy it. We haven't won enough games," Ramirez said.

Hope for future

If the Pirates can't sign another 30-home run, 100-RBI player, they do expect to be better at the plate next year when Armando Rios and Adrian Brown are healthy.

"We have options. We just need to answer questions about where certain people are going to play," McClendon said.

Some of those questions might be answered during the off-season because Brown, Gary Matthews Jr. and Craig Wilson are slated to play winter ball.

The Pirates want Wilson, who has shown power potential and the ability to stay away from breaking pitches outside the strike zone, to play every day. That means either catching or playing right field. Wilson will play in the Dominican Republic with the goal of cutting down on his strikeouts (41 in 102 at-bats.)

With Matthews, the Pirates hope to have him play against quality pitching in Puerto Rico where he will see sliders and curveballs a notch below what major-league pitchers throw. Matthews has played winter ball four times and is open to the concept because it will help him solidify his spot next year.

"He knows the strike zone. We'd like him to shore up recognition of the breaking pitch," McClendon said. "I think winter ball would help all of our younger players. The more they play, the better they become.

And one more candidate for winter ball? Try Derek Bell, the high-priced free agent who has hit .173 in 156 at-bats with the Pirates and .153 in 19 games with Nashville.

"I'm going to talk to him about it," McClendon said.