PITTSBURGH PIRATES

2005 finish: 67-95, 6^th place in NL Central

Manager: Jim Tracy (1^st season)

Free agents: RHP Jose Mesa, 1B Daryle Ward, RHP Rick White, RHP Brian Meadows

On the block: RHP Kip Wells, RHP Josh Fogg, LHP Mark Redman, OF Craig Wilson, LHP John Grabow, one of the young left-handed starting pitchers

Looking for: Middle-of-the-lineup hitter, likely at third base or right field, right-handed reliever

What’s going on: Few teams have as much young left-handed pitching as the Pirates — Zach Duke, Oliver Perez, Paul Maholm, Dave Williams and Sean Burnett. That could help them bring some much-needed offense, especially at third base and/or right field, which puts Mike Lowell, Kevin Mench and Wily Mo Pena on the radar screen. Kip Wells also could be put into a deal for a power hitter. Jose Mesa’s option wasn’t exercised, and he won’t return. That leaves either Salomon Torres or Mike Gonzalez in the closer role for now. With some concern about Brad Eldred’s high strikeout rate, Daryle Ward could be re-signed, or another bat could be acquired. Mark Redman is expected to exercise his player option, giving the Pirates yet another left-hander, or possibly making him trade bait. Tracy has brought bench coach Jim Lett, first-base coach John Shelby and pitching coach Jim Colborn with him from his Dodgers staff. Tike Redman and Ty Wigginton don’t figure to be in the plans, and could be non-tendered.

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