http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/NASApp/m...t=.jsp&c_id=pitBucs ready to build on strong core
Littlefield looking for veteran righty arm and power lefty bat
By Ed Eagle / MLB.com
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates won 37 of their final 72 games in 2006, and there is optimism that the franchise might finally be turning the corner after 14 consecutive losing seasons.
With National League batting champ Freddy Sanchez and fellow All-Star Jason Bay leading the offense, and a promising starting rotation and bullpen already in place, the Pirates have assembled a core group of young talent that they believe will serve as the foundation for future success. It will be up to GM Dave Littlefield to build upon that foundation this winter, through trades and/or free agent acquisitions.
At the top of Littlefield's offseason wish list is a veteran right-handed starting pitcher and a first baseman or outfielder who can provide some power from the left side of the plate.
Four-fifths of the Pirates' 2007 starting rotation is already set with right-hander Ian Snell, who led the staff with 14 wins a year ago, and southpaws Zach Duke, Paul Maholm and Tom Gorzelanny. Snell, 25, is the oldest member of the group, and Littlefield would like to acquire a veteran right-hander to add experience and balance to the mix.
"In general, we look at the Duke, Maholm, Snell and Gorzelanny as people who will be a part of the rotation next year," said Littlefield. "We'd like to add another starter, probably a right-hander, to create a little more balance with the three left-handers we have. We've got some possibilities internally, but we'd like to have a little more depth and probably someone who is a little more established."
The Pirates, who will have approximately $12 million to spend on roster additions this offseason, have made it clear that they will not be in the market for top-tier free agents such as Jason Schmidt. However, there are plenty of mid-level free agent starting pitchers who might be available within the Bucs' price range.
Among those veteran right-handers who have filed for free agency are Gil Meche, Miguel Batista, Orlando Hernandez, Tomo Ohka, Jason Marquis, Ramon Ortiz, Vicente Padilla, Steve Trachsel, Jeff Weaver and Woody Williams. Former Pirate Jeff Suppan is also available, but he might have pitched himself out of Pittsburgh's budget with his outstanding postseason performance.
"There are some nice players that are out there," said Littlefield. "Depending on the fit, there are guys who you would consider to be impact players and some others who would be good, solid Major Leaguers who would fit in well to our liking."
On offense, Littlefield will attempt to find someone to help Sanchez and Bay carry the load in the middle of the Pittsburgh lineup. Despite the contributions of their two All-Stars, the Pirates finished last in the National League in runs scored, home runs and slugging percentage, and 15th in walks and on-base percentage.
The Pirates are particularly weak from the left side of the plate. As the team is currently constructed, leadoff man Chris Duffy is the only left-handed hitter projected to be an everyday starter for 2007. And Nate McLouth's seven home runs in 2006 were the most of any left-handed hitter currently on the Pittsburgh 40-man roster.
"We have some younger guys in the mix in the outfield with McLouth and [Jody] Gerut, who is coming back off of an injury. We also have some moveable parts with guys like [Jose] Bautista and [Xavier] Nady, and we have to see how they fit," said Littlefield. "But, we think a left-handed bat that has some power would be an asset in our lineup to help us score more runs. And it would create a little more balance with our predominately right-handed hitting group."
First basemen Sean Casey, Shea Hillenbrand and Doug Mientkiewicz, and outfielders Barry Bonds, Cliff Floyd, Luis Gonzalez, Aubrey Huff, Trot Nixon and Ryan Klesko are notable names among a relatively thin group of left-handed hitting free agents. However, because Littlefield would prefer to acquire a player with limited service time to fill the Bucs' power void, it is more likely that this need will be addressed via trade.
"We're going to look at both [trades and free agent signings]," said Littlefield. "We're going to investigate all areas with all of these positions that we have to fill."
Ed Eagle is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs