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But stadium impasse shouldn't affect 1999 Tuesday, December 01, 1998 By Paul Meyer, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
Cam Bonifay said yesterday the fact all the money is not yet in place for the Pirates' new stadium seriously threatens the team's five-year plan to build a championship-caliber team.
"The future is in jeopardy," the Pirates' general manager said.
The five-year plan began with the 1997 season and was geared toward a continually increasing player payroll based on anticipated greater revenues that a new stadium would produce.
The payroll increase, which eventually would reach almost $40 million a year, would allow the Pirates to keep their good young players and sign a free agent or two as the need arose.
That won't happen if the new stadium, to be called PNC Park, isn't built.
"I don't want to be standing here two years from now answering questions about why we have to let Jason Kendall go," owner Kevin McClatchy said, referring to the team's All-Star catcher.
No new stadium would mean a return to the roster purging of 1996, which cost the Pirates Denny Neagle, Jeff King, Jay Bell and Orlando Merced, among others.
Bonifay stressed the uncertainty over the new stadium's future won't impact his plans for the '99 season. Or the payroll, projected to reach $23 million, an increase of almost $10 million over '98.
"But if I have to make [long-term] decisions based on a revised payroll, I can't very well keep operating after this year," Bonifay said. "Ultimately, we will not be able to keep our good young players."
Foremost on Bonifay's immediate agenda is the signing of free agent B.J. Surhoff, who would be the Pirates' third baseman next season.
Bonifay, who met with Surhoff and his agent, Gregg Clifton, in Pittsburgh Nov. 23, has offered the former Baltimore Oriole a four-year contract worth $15 million.
"I still think we have the best offer on the table," Bonifay said.
Surhoff and Clifton are scheduled to meet with Mets representatives in New York today. The Mets have offered a three-year deal worth $12.75 million, plus an option year worth $4.2 million. The Orioles, who would play Surhoff in right field, have offered a deal similar to New York's.
The uncertainty over PNC Park's future can't help the Pirates' effort to sign Surhoff, who probably would prefer to return to the Orioles.
Bonifay said he expects a resolution to the Surhoff situation by the end of this week at the latest.
Bonifay said trades he's working on all are on hold until the Surhoff issue is settled. If the Pirates don't sign Surhoff, Bonifay probably will try to trade for a third baseman so Aramis Ramirez, 20, can play with Class AAA Nashville next season. Or the Pirates might move first baseman Kevin Young to third base and go after a first baseman.
Bonifay has had discussions with Young about a contract extension beyond next season, but he's made no offer yet. All of that is pending now because of the stadium funding problem.
"I don't think that changes anything we're trying to do to improve the club for next year," Bonifay said. "That is ongoing. But it is another bump in the road, which I'm sure will be resolved."
The Pirates probably will announce this week they've signed at least 10 minor-league free agents. Among those is left-handed hitting first baseman Ivan Cruz, 30, who hit 52 home runs with Class AAA Columbus in 1996-97 before injuries limited him to 204 at-bats last season with the Clippers. Still, Cruz hit 13 home runs and drove in 36 runs.
The Pirates also have signed right-hander Todd Ritchie, who was with Minnesota; outfielder Ray Montgomery, formerly with Houston; catcher Chris Tremie (Texas) and utility player Steve Bieser, who appeared in 13 games for the Pirates in '98.
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