BASEBALL Bucs, Bullington finally in accord

The former Ball State pitcher has become the highest-paid draft choice in Pirates history.
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates can only hope Bryan Bullington shows as much patience and stamina on the mound as he did during contract talks.
The Pirates finally reached terms Wednesday with the former Ball State right-hander, the No. 1 pick in the June amateur draft.
The Pirates also ended another lengthy contract fight when infielder Pat Meares agreed to drop a grievance in which he contended he was healthy enough to play in the major leagues.
The Bullington negotiations dragged out for five months as he sought a signing bonus comparable to the $5.15 million the Minnesota Twins gave catcher Joe Mauer, the top pick in 2001.
Refused to budge
The low-budget Pirates refused to budge off their offer of a $4 million bonus, less than the $4.5 million paid Virginia high school shortstop B.J. Upton, taken by Tampa Bay with the No. 2 pick.
"We always stayed optimistic," Bullington said. "I knew it was all going to work out in the end. When you're talking about the kind of dollars a top pick [gets], it takes some time. This is a big hurdle to jump over, on my way to my goal of pitching in the major leagues with the Pirates."
By signing, Bullington probably assures himself of making more money than he would have by re-entering the draft next June. That group of prospects is considered deeper than 2002, and it is uncertain if Bullington would have been drafted near the top again.
Bullington will easily be the highest-paid draft choice in Pirates history. Former Kent State first baseman John VanBenschoten, now a pitcher, was given a $2.4 million signing bonus in 2001.
His projection
Bullington is projected by general manager Dave Littlefield as a No. 3 starter in the majors. He was 29-11 with a 3.36 ERA at Ball State, going 11-3 with a 2.84 ERA last season and setting a Mid-American Conference single season record with 139 strikeouts. He had 357 career strikeouts.
The Pirates kept Meares on the disabled list last season with a hand injury sustained during a 1999 exhibition game. Meares acknowledged last spring the injury was so severe it left him unable to properly grip a bat in his left hand. During his three Pirates seasons, Meares hit .238 with 17 homers and 79 RBIs.
Meares will be paid the $3.75 million salary due him in 2003, the final year of his $15 million, four-year contract. The Pirates will keep him on the 60-day disabled list the entire season and he will not report to spring training or be part of the team.
The agreement allows the Pirates to resume negotiations with their insurance company to recover part of Meares' salary.