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02-21-2003, 01:37 AM
Pirates sport new roster, new attitude
Friday, February 21, 2003
By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Lloyd McClendon's message to his players was a lot like his new lineup. It packed more punch.
"We're not rebuilding. That's in the past," McClendon said yesterday on the first day of workouts for the full squad. "I expect to win. I expect to be back to our winning ways. We're moving in the right direction. There's nothing but good things ahead for us."
It's normal for energy levels to spike on the day position players begin practicing, but some extra sizzle was evident yesterday. The Reggie Sanders deal is done, pending a physical Monday, to add to General Manager Dave Littlefield's other off-season acquisitions. And the outfield could get even more crowded because talks are continuing with Kenny Lofton and a trade for Raul Mondesi is still possible.
Littlefield has put the Pirates back on the radar screen -- in February, no less, when the phrase "same old Pirates" has routinely generated more despair than hope. Players who have endured some lean times are just as caught up in the possibilities as the fans enduring the bleak Pittsburgh winter, and they embraced what McClendon had to say.
"This year's a little different. Expectations should be a little higher because of the guys we brought in," said Brian Giles, who expects to play in left and center field this spring while the outfield picture sorts itself out. "It's not as Little League. We have some new players with major-league experience. They know what it takes to compete at this level. They've been through it."
Jason Kendall was as enthused by Littlefield's off-season work as he was by McClendon's words.
"As a player, that's what you want to hear, that we're going to do everything we can to be playing in October. He couldn't have said it any better," Kendall said.
"Dave's done an outstanding job. He's brought in big-league players, guys who have been there and done it in big-league situations. Reggie Sanders is one of those guys who, when he comes to the plate, puts fear in you. He has a presence about him. You know you can't make a mistake to him or he's going to hit it hard," Kendall said.
And after a pause, he added, "We have a pretty good-looking ballclub."
New acquisitions such as Matt Stairs, a left-handed hitting outfielder, displayed their own brand of enthusiasm.
"For guys like me who signed to play here, we don't expect to lose. One of the reasons I came here was because this organization is on the rise," Stairs said. "We have guys in the middle of the lineup that bat left, right, left, right. That's a very impressive power lineup. I think Pittsburgh is going to be in for quite a surprise."
Stairs said he doesn't care where he plays, and how everybody fits is undecided even if Lofton and Mondesi don't enter the picture. Sanders hasn't played left field since Sept. 29, 2000, and has had most of his playing time in right field, where Stairs and Craig Wilson had been slated as a platoon.
"You never have enough outfielders," Stairs said.
Littlefield's job is to strengthen McClendon's hand, and he has had to do it by cobbling things together until his minor-league system starts churning out players. Although there might not be a lot of aces in his acquisitions, and no one is a perfect solution, Littlefield has provided upgrades in pitching and run production. And he expects players such as Kendall and Aramis Ramirez to have bounce-back seasons.
"We could use a leadoff hitter with the makeup of the club we have now," Littlefield said. "Any additional players would have to provide value at the right price. But with the position we're in, we're trying to upgrade and there's plenty of areas we can upgrade in. The idea is to have a buzz about the Pirates in September."
It's fair to say the Pirates have fewer question than they did a year ago, and there are fewer jobs open with more competition. Bill Singer, a special assistant to the general manager, attributed the new state of the Pirates to Littlefield's hard work.
"He won't quit until he gets the rings," Singer said.
Pokey Reese knows Sanders from his years with the Reds, and he's thinking thoughts that might have previously been associated with Pirates who lingered in the Florida sun too long.
"He's a big-time player and a great, great guy. He's been in the playoffs. He's got a World Series ring. He's a winner. I want to win too," Reese said. "Why can't we compete in the Central Division?"
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Robert Dvorchak can be reached at bdvorchak@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1959.
Friday, February 21, 2003
By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Lloyd McClendon's message to his players was a lot like his new lineup. It packed more punch.
"We're not rebuilding. That's in the past," McClendon said yesterday on the first day of workouts for the full squad. "I expect to win. I expect to be back to our winning ways. We're moving in the right direction. There's nothing but good things ahead for us."
It's normal for energy levels to spike on the day position players begin practicing, but some extra sizzle was evident yesterday. The Reggie Sanders deal is done, pending a physical Monday, to add to General Manager Dave Littlefield's other off-season acquisitions. And the outfield could get even more crowded because talks are continuing with Kenny Lofton and a trade for Raul Mondesi is still possible.
Littlefield has put the Pirates back on the radar screen -- in February, no less, when the phrase "same old Pirates" has routinely generated more despair than hope. Players who have endured some lean times are just as caught up in the possibilities as the fans enduring the bleak Pittsburgh winter, and they embraced what McClendon had to say.
"This year's a little different. Expectations should be a little higher because of the guys we brought in," said Brian Giles, who expects to play in left and center field this spring while the outfield picture sorts itself out. "It's not as Little League. We have some new players with major-league experience. They know what it takes to compete at this level. They've been through it."
Jason Kendall was as enthused by Littlefield's off-season work as he was by McClendon's words.
"As a player, that's what you want to hear, that we're going to do everything we can to be playing in October. He couldn't have said it any better," Kendall said.
"Dave's done an outstanding job. He's brought in big-league players, guys who have been there and done it in big-league situations. Reggie Sanders is one of those guys who, when he comes to the plate, puts fear in you. He has a presence about him. You know you can't make a mistake to him or he's going to hit it hard," Kendall said.
And after a pause, he added, "We have a pretty good-looking ballclub."
New acquisitions such as Matt Stairs, a left-handed hitting outfielder, displayed their own brand of enthusiasm.
"For guys like me who signed to play here, we don't expect to lose. One of the reasons I came here was because this organization is on the rise," Stairs said. "We have guys in the middle of the lineup that bat left, right, left, right. That's a very impressive power lineup. I think Pittsburgh is going to be in for quite a surprise."
Stairs said he doesn't care where he plays, and how everybody fits is undecided even if Lofton and Mondesi don't enter the picture. Sanders hasn't played left field since Sept. 29, 2000, and has had most of his playing time in right field, where Stairs and Craig Wilson had been slated as a platoon.
"You never have enough outfielders," Stairs said.
Littlefield's job is to strengthen McClendon's hand, and he has had to do it by cobbling things together until his minor-league system starts churning out players. Although there might not be a lot of aces in his acquisitions, and no one is a perfect solution, Littlefield has provided upgrades in pitching and run production. And he expects players such as Kendall and Aramis Ramirez to have bounce-back seasons.
"We could use a leadoff hitter with the makeup of the club we have now," Littlefield said. "Any additional players would have to provide value at the right price. But with the position we're in, we're trying to upgrade and there's plenty of areas we can upgrade in. The idea is to have a buzz about the Pirates in September."
It's fair to say the Pirates have fewer question than they did a year ago, and there are fewer jobs open with more competition. Bill Singer, a special assistant to the general manager, attributed the new state of the Pirates to Littlefield's hard work.
"He won't quit until he gets the rings," Singer said.
Pokey Reese knows Sanders from his years with the Reds, and he's thinking thoughts that might have previously been associated with Pirates who lingered in the Florida sun too long.
"He's a big-time player and a great, great guy. He's been in the playoffs. He's got a World Series ring. He's a winner. I want to win too," Reese said. "Why can't we compete in the Central Division?"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert Dvorchak can be reached at bdvorchak@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1959.