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Pirates hope to sign third baseman to multiyear contract

Wednesday, February 27, 2002

By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Talks that began last year about a multiyear contract for third baseman Aramis Ramirez are nearing fruition, and a deal could be sealed in the next day or two.

Ramirez made $285,000 last season. The new contract is expected to be in the range of the three-year, $10.5 million contract recently signed by Houston's Lance Berkman.

Ramirez, 23, is not eligible for salary arbitration and cannot become a free agent for four more years. But a long-term deal would eliminate the need for going to arbitration and give the Pirates a clearer idea about future payroll totals.

"It would give us some control on payroll," Littlefield said. "We're looking at something that's fair for both sides."

Paul Kinzer, the agent for Ramirez, said he thinks both sides are ready to work out the details of the contract.

Ramirez, 23, hit .300 with 34 home runs and 112 RBIs in 158 games last year, his first full season in the big leagues. He was fourth in RBIs and fifth in homers among National League third basemen.

The games begin

It was an exhibition game leading up to the Grapefruit League exhibitions; the Pirates used a lineup that would likely be seen in a "B" game; and the first pitch came at 11:55 a.m. yesterday.

The Pirates lost, 3-1, to the Hyundai Unicorns, who were champions of the Korean Baseball Organization two seasons ago. In the second of his two innings, starter Bronson Arroyo gave up consecutive solo home runs, and Mike Gonzalez allowed a run.

Rob Mackowiak, a late-inning replacement at third base, drove in the Pirates' lone run with a sacrifice fly after Tony Alvarez doubled to lead off the eighth inning.

"I thought it was good game," Manager Lloyd McClendon said. "I thought our young kids performed well. Arroyo got the ball up a little bit. In the first outing, that's not a big concern. I saw some good things out there. I was very pleased with the baserunning. It was aggressive."

General Manager Dave Littlefield also was pleased to get the games started, although he cautioned that pitchers are ahead of the hitters and some players are still a little rusty.

"It's always good to start seeing them out there," Littlefield said.

More rest for House

J.R. House will be held out of drills for a week after receiving an injection of steroids to treat the irritation caused by a torn abdominal muscle. He will be re-evaluated at the end of seven days.

House, a top catching prospect, had a magnetic resonance imaging test Monday at Allegheny General Hospital. The test confirmed a tear that House sustained while lifting weights in January. He previously had received an anti-inflammatory shot before having the test in Pittsburgh.

"The results were more positive than negative," Littlefield said. "On the negative side, we could have been heading toward surgery. It's something we'll keep an eye on. Rest is going to be the way to go."

Beaver sells Smokies

Don Beaver, who owns 10 percent of the Pirates, has sold his majority interest in the Tennessee Smokies, the Class AA affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays in the Southern League. Beaver will keep his investments in minor-league clubs in New Orleans, Charlotte and Hickory. He also owns a metals recycling business in North Carolina.

Benson update

While pitching his way back from elbow surgery, Kris Benson does not appear on the list of pitchers scheduled to work exhibitions. Benson threw on the side yesterday and hopes to be appearing in games by mid-March.

"His program is completely different than anybody else's," pitching coach Spin Williams said.

When Benson receives medical clearance to pitch, the Pirates plan to bring him back as a starter rather than use him out of the bullpen.