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Mailbag: Bucs after top-notch starters?
Beat reporter Ed Eagle answers Pirates fans' questions
By Ed Eagle / MLB.com


You mentioned that "Pirates management has said that the team will not be in the market for the top-tier free agents this winter." What about Greg Maddux? Would he be considered top tier? Someone with his experience would surely do a lot to bolster our young pitching staff, no?
-- Jamie R., Shaler, Pa.

Jamie was one of several mailbag readers to ask about Maddux this week.

As a four-time Cy Young Award winner with 333 victories under his belt, Maddux would certainly be an asset as a mentor for the Bucs' young starting pitchers. And while Maddux is no longer among the elite pitchers in the game, he did win 15 games in 2006 for the 18th time in the last 19 seasons, so I'm sure there will be some demand for his services.

Even if the Pirates could meet Maddux's contract demands, however, I doubt that he would choose to spend next season in Pittsburgh. He'll celebrate his 41st birthday in April, and my guess is that he'll want to play for a team that will give him the best chance to add another World Series ring to his collection.

What are the chances the Pirates will pursue Jeff Suppan this offseason? He seems like the best veteran right-hander fit for the young Pirates' rotation
-- Tury V., El Paso, Texas

In early October, when I first compiled the names of free-agent starting pitchers that the Pirates might be able to sign this offseason, I included Suppan. It's probably safe to say that Suppan should no longer be on that list.

Suppan was a key component in the Cardinals' march to a championship, and he couldn't have picked a better time to shine. After earning $4 million with St. Louis last season, Suppan is expected to command a multi-year contract worth at least $7 million per season. My guess is that the Pirates will go for a less expensive alternative to fill their need for a veteran right-handed starter.

I noticed that some MLB teams have already released their Spring Training schedules. Is there any word on the Bucs' schedule in Bradenton, Fla.? It's never too early to plan a Spring Break trip.
-- Mark B., Naperville, Ill.

According to the Pirates, the Spring Training schedule could be released at some point later this week. We'll have it posted here at Pirates.com as soon as it is made available.

Is it true the Pirates are considering not renewing Freddy Sanchez's contract? If it is true, why would they want to let the National League batting champ go?
-- Lyndsay S., Jeannette, Pa.

When I last talked to Sanchez a few weeks back, he told me that the Pirates had not yet contacted him about a contract extension, and he was preparing for arbitration. This doesn't mean that Sanchez will be leaving the Pirates any time soon.

Sanchez is just becoming eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter, so the Pirates will have him under their contractual control through the 2009 season. A contract extension would simply lock Sanchez into a specific dollar amount for the length of any deal that he would sign.


I have heard the Pirates could get Joe Koshansky from the Rockies. This trade would be great. Is it true?
-- Joseph G., Wilmington, Del.

As far as I know, the Pirates are not close to making any deals at this point, and I don't expect them to consummate any trades before the 40-man roster is set on Nov. 20.

Koshansky, 24, would certainly be an intriguing trade possibility for the Pirates. Since being selected by the Rockies in the sixth round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, the left-handed-hitting first baseman has batted .276 with 81 home runs and 267 RBIs in 330 Minor League games. He's had at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in each of his two full seasons, including 31 home runs and 109 RBIs with Double-A Tulsa last year.

If recent history is any indicator, it is possible that Koshansky could be had in return for pitching. Last summer, the Rockies traded first-base prospect Ryan Shealy to the Royals in a four-player deal that included Jeremy Affeldt going from Kansas City to Colorado. Shealy, like Koshansky, had his progress to the big leagues blocked by five-time All Star Todd Helton.

Why do the Pirates keep so many veterans like Terry Adams and C.J. Nitkowski at Triple-A Indianapolis without ever giving them a callup?
-- John K., Boston

Players such as Adams and Nitkowski are basically signed as insurance policies. If the big-league staff becomes depleted by injuries, the Pirates want to know that they can call up pitchers who've had some past success at the Major League level.

Fortunately for the Pirates, and unfortunately for Adams and Nitkowski, the big-league starting rotation and bullpen remained relatively injury free throughout most of last season.

Ed Eagle is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.