BASEBALL Bucs cut Anderson, open door to Stairs

Pitcher Jimmy Anderson was released after three bad seasons, creating a spot for outfielder Matt Stairs.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Left-hander Jimmy Anderson was released Monday after the Pittsburgh Pirates tried unsuccessfully to deal the pitcher following three consecutive poor seasons.
The move freed up a spot on the 40-man roster for outfielder Matt Stairs, who agreed Sunday on a $900,000, one-year contract.
Anderson was 5-11 in 2000, 9-17 in 2001 and 8-13 last season with an above-5.00 ERA all three seasons. His 30 losses the last two seasons were the most by a Pirates pitcher since Jose DeLeon was 9-32 in 1984-85.
Anderson was demoted to the bullpen Aug. 13 and pitched in only one of the Pirates' final 31 games. He allowed a career-high 20 homers and, with Colorado's Mike Hampton and Florida's Julian Tavarez, was one of only three major league starting pitchers with more walks (63) than strikeouts (47) in at least 25 starts.
Couldn't work a deal
The Pirates talked to several teams, including the Reds, about trading Anderson. But with Anderson eligible for arbitration, the Pirates couldn't work out a deal.
Anderson made $305,000 last season and likely would have to tried to make up to three times that in arbitration, based on service time and number of starts.
"Jimmy showed flashes of being a very good major league pitcher, but he never did it on a consistent basis," Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield said as baseball's winter meetings wound down in Nashville, Tenn. "One of the biggest parts of the general manager's job is roster management, and we just didn't feel that, with the dollars he might have made next season, he fit any more."
In addition to releasing Anderson, the Pirates lost three players in the Rule 5 draft, including two closers: right-hander Chris Spurling (4-3, 2.19 ERA, 20 saves at Double-A Altoona) to the Braves, and right-hander D.J. Carrasco (4-4, 1.61 ERA, 29 saves at Class A Lynchburg) and catcher Ronny Paulino (.262, 12 homers, 55 RBIs at Lynchburg) to the Royals.
The Pirates acquired Spurling from the Yankees for infielder Luis Sojo on Aug. 8, 2000.
Requirements
All three players must remain on their new club's 25-man roster for the entire season or be offered back to Pittsburgh. In a sign the Pirates have begun to upgrade their farm system, three of the 28 Rule 5 draft picks were Pirates farm hands.
Also, Altoona infielder Rico Washington (Padres) and Lynchburg left-hander Mike Bumatay (Rockies) were selected in the minor league phase of the draft.
Pittsburgh selected right-hander Matt Roney from Colorado in the Rule 5 draft, then dealt him to Detroit for cash. The Pirates also sent right-hander Roberto Novoa to the Tigers as one of the two players to be named in their Nov. 25 trade for first baseman Randall Simon.
Novoa was 8-3 with a 3.65 ERA in 12 starts with Class A Williamsport.
The Pirates also hired former major league infielder Jeff Branson as a coach at Williamsport. Branson hit .246 during nine seasons with the Reds, Indians and Dodgers.