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02-16-2003, 01:37 AM
Pirates Notebook: Littlefield continues search for outfielder
Sunday, February 16, 2003
By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Four days before position players report, Pirates General Manager Dave Littlefield is still seeking an outfielder who can add pop to the lineup.
While Kenny Lofton appears to have the inside track because he can lead off and play center field, the Pirates are playing a waiting game to determine who fills their needs at the best price.
Littlefield has had almost daily contact with teams and agents and would have liked to have had the deal done. Although this transaction butts up against the reporting date, Littlefield said it is normal for deals to get done in their own time. And time might be on the Pirates' side as the reporting deadline nears and unsigned players look for the best opportunity to play.
"However it gets done, as long as it's at a price we're comfortable with and it's a guy we're comfortable with," Littlefield said. "You have to get two parties to agree. We continue to have conversations."
Until the Pirates land another outfielder, the center-field job is tentatively in the hands of utilityman Rob Mackowiak.
"Scary, huh?" Mackowiak deadpanned.
But Mackowiak has been working hard to get himself in shape. After resting in October to recover from last season, he started hitting in November. And because he just bought a house in the Bradenton area, he has been working out daily at Pirates City for two months.
"I'm trying to be ready for anything," Mackowiak said. "I'll go out there and give it everything I have, lay it all out of the field. If that's not good enough, so be it. I'm not going to be a Kenny Lofton out there. I have to work just as hard or harder to make this team. I've never been handed anything in my career."
Injury report
Pitcher Rolando Arrojo "tweaked" a hamstring in a fielding drill and is listed as day to day. One of the many veteran pitchers signed to a minor-league contract, he will get an opportunity to win a starter's job if the injury doesn't sidetrack him.
Second baseman Pokey Reese sported a splint on the tip of his right index finger as the result of an off-season injury. His hand was caught in a car door while he was touring with the Pirates' caravan.
Despite the injury, Reese reported early to continue a conditioning program aimed at avoiding the hamstring problems that hampered him a year ago.
"He's going to be behind a week, I imagine. He'll continue to work his legs. They don't anticipate anything serious," Manager Lloyd McClendon said.
Mike Williams showed no ill effects from an off-season back injury. Williams, injured while playing with one of his daughters, was one of 14 pitchers to throw off the mound for 10 minutes yesterday.
Better late than ...
The only absentee among the 33 pitchers due in camp was reliever Duaner Sanchez, who was detained in the Dominican Republic because of his father's illness. Sanchez is expected to report tomorrow or Tuesday at the latest.
Pitcher Julian Tavarez was late and did not throw off the mound as scheduled, but he took his physical and threw informally.
Helping out
Bill Virdon retired as bench coach after last season but is in camp as a special instructor. This is his 54th spring training. Mike LaValliere also was in camp to work with the catchers, and Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski is due in camp Thursday as a special infield instructor. Other former Pirates who might visit are Dave Parker, John Smiley, Andy Van Slyke and Doug Drabek.
A quieter Kendall
Catcher Jason Kendall, looking to bounce back after two subpar seasons, promised to be more subdued.
"I'm just going to work hard and keep my mouth shut. It gets me in trouble," he said.
Sunday, February 16, 2003
By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Four days before position players report, Pirates General Manager Dave Littlefield is still seeking an outfielder who can add pop to the lineup.
While Kenny Lofton appears to have the inside track because he can lead off and play center field, the Pirates are playing a waiting game to determine who fills their needs at the best price.
Littlefield has had almost daily contact with teams and agents and would have liked to have had the deal done. Although this transaction butts up against the reporting date, Littlefield said it is normal for deals to get done in their own time. And time might be on the Pirates' side as the reporting deadline nears and unsigned players look for the best opportunity to play.
"However it gets done, as long as it's at a price we're comfortable with and it's a guy we're comfortable with," Littlefield said. "You have to get two parties to agree. We continue to have conversations."
Until the Pirates land another outfielder, the center-field job is tentatively in the hands of utilityman Rob Mackowiak.
"Scary, huh?" Mackowiak deadpanned.
But Mackowiak has been working hard to get himself in shape. After resting in October to recover from last season, he started hitting in November. And because he just bought a house in the Bradenton area, he has been working out daily at Pirates City for two months.
"I'm trying to be ready for anything," Mackowiak said. "I'll go out there and give it everything I have, lay it all out of the field. If that's not good enough, so be it. I'm not going to be a Kenny Lofton out there. I have to work just as hard or harder to make this team. I've never been handed anything in my career."
Injury report
Pitcher Rolando Arrojo "tweaked" a hamstring in a fielding drill and is listed as day to day. One of the many veteran pitchers signed to a minor-league contract, he will get an opportunity to win a starter's job if the injury doesn't sidetrack him.
Second baseman Pokey Reese sported a splint on the tip of his right index finger as the result of an off-season injury. His hand was caught in a car door while he was touring with the Pirates' caravan.
Despite the injury, Reese reported early to continue a conditioning program aimed at avoiding the hamstring problems that hampered him a year ago.
"He's going to be behind a week, I imagine. He'll continue to work his legs. They don't anticipate anything serious," Manager Lloyd McClendon said.
Mike Williams showed no ill effects from an off-season back injury. Williams, injured while playing with one of his daughters, was one of 14 pitchers to throw off the mound for 10 minutes yesterday.
Better late than ...
The only absentee among the 33 pitchers due in camp was reliever Duaner Sanchez, who was detained in the Dominican Republic because of his father's illness. Sanchez is expected to report tomorrow or Tuesday at the latest.
Pitcher Julian Tavarez was late and did not throw off the mound as scheduled, but he took his physical and threw informally.
Helping out
Bill Virdon retired as bench coach after last season but is in camp as a special instructor. This is his 54th spring training. Mike LaValliere also was in camp to work with the catchers, and Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski is due in camp Thursday as a special infield instructor. Other former Pirates who might visit are Dave Parker, John Smiley, Andy Van Slyke and Doug Drabek.
A quieter Kendall
Catcher Jason Kendall, looking to bounce back after two subpar seasons, promised to be more subdued.
"I'm just going to work hard and keep my mouth shut. It gets me in trouble," he said.