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Tuesday, February 18, 2003

By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

BRADENTON, Fla. -- The Pirates' payroll this season will increase slightly to the $50 million range -- less than one third of what the Yankees will spend.

Pirates General Manager Dave Littlefield acknowledged that the chasm is rather wide, but he refused to concede that the Pirates can't compete with such a disparity.

"On the surface, it appears to be a daunting task," Littlefield said. "I'm convinced it can be done. However, I do know there's less margin for error. You have to be extremely efficient with domestic and international scouting. You have to do a good job in player development. And we have to be very wise in our decisions. The key component is, you have to have low service time major-leaguers who have some impact, and pick and chose the right guys to give multiyear contracts to. You have to allocate your dollars as efficiently as possible to the guys who are productive."

Littlefield noted that there are big-spending franchises that haven't won. And there are small-budget clubs like the Twins and the A's who are models for the Pirates to follow.

"I've said it in our staff meetings. We cannot use our market size as a crutch," Littlefield said. "We walk a tightrope at times with health, because our backups aren't as good or as experienced as some of the clubs. We all understand we haven't got to .500 for 10 years. I understand that. I don't like it. But we've got a beautiful ballpark that should give us the resources we need. We've got the fan support. Now we've got to get the team better."

Role change

Right-handed reliever Matt Herges was acquired in a trade with the Expos to shore up the bullpen. At first glance, the trade might appear to be questionable because he struggled as a closer last year with Montreal, blowing eight of 14 save opportunities and allowing 13 of 27 inherited runners to score.

But the Pirates felt that Herges was miscast in the closer's role and point to two good seasons with the Dodgers in 2000-01 as the reason they parted with minor-league pitchers Chris Young and Jon Searles to get Herges.

"I definitely blew some saves," Herges said. "I just didn't get it done. I hit a dry spot as a closer. When a manager loses confidence in a closer, he's got to make a change. I totally understand. I pitched my way out of it."

With the Pirates, Herges will join Mike Lincoln and Brian Boehringer as right-handed relievers behind closer Mike Williams.

"I've started games. I've mopped up. I've pitched in the third inning. I've pitched in the ninth inning. I've done it all," Herges said. "Whatever role I'm in, I'm glad to be a Pirate."

Matter of time

The second group of pitchers took their turn at the mile run yesterday. Ryan Vogelsong won easily with a time of 6 minutes, 6 seconds, about 30 seconds behind Scott Sauerbeck's time in the first group. Pat Mahomes was second in 6:30, and Ariel Prieto and John Wasdin were clocked at 6:35.