Pirates will stick with the bargains

PITTSBURGH -- From opposite ends of Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies are taking separate paths to baseball's promised land.
With a new ballpark about to open and the recent additions of slugger Jim Thome, playoff-experienced pitcher Eric Milton and ace closer Billy Wagner, the Phillies are expected to end the Atlanta Braves' reign of 12 straight National League East Division titles.
The Pirates, on the other hand, are expected to fight for fifth place in the six-team N.L. Central. All but one of the marketable players have been sent packing. And the only reason catcher Jason Kendall is still around is that none of the rich ballclubs want to pay a singles hitter $42 million over the next four seasons.
So with such bleak prospects for the immediate future, why has owner Kevin McClatchy extended general manager Dave Littlefield's contract for another four seasons?
It isn't complicated. Most baseball executives don't have the patience to strip a ballclub then hope the minor league system produces major-league caliber talent. Littlefield, 43, does.
McClatchy, who claims he's lost $30 million since PNC Park opened three years ago, has put a ban on high-priced talent until youngsters blossom and huge crowds return.
Rebuilding plan
McClatchy's willingness to stick with Littlefield sheds light on the Pirates' latest rebuilding plan. Instead of risking millions of guaranteed dollars on such monumental busts as Derek Bell and Pat Meares, the Bucs will sink or swim with youth and bargain-basement veterans.
Much of Littlefield's tenure since July 2001 has been spent shedding payroll to seek financial flexibility.
Gone from last year's starting lineup are outfielders Brian Giles, Reggie Sanders and Kenny Lofton plus third baseman Aramis Ramirez.
McClatchy acknowledges that Littlefield's job under his financial restrictions hasn't been easy.
"There aren't any quick fixes," McClatchy said. "We can't go out and get a superstar who can change everything, but we are comfortable with the route we are going.
"Dave and [manager] Lloyd [McClendon] believe that we do have a lot in our farm system that will give us the ability to win. If Dave didn't believe that, we wouldn't be [announcing a contract extension]."
Budget restraints
Before Monday's home opener, McClatchy said he someday might lift the restraints off Littlefield's budget. It won't be anytime soon.
"This thing is going to work when this team start to play better," McClatchy said. "If more fans come out, that gives us the opportunity to take our payroll up."
McClatchy said he's aware that Pirates fans are angry after 11 straight losing seasons, eight under his ownership.
"I understand that there is frustration out there and it's natural -- we've lost for a long time. I'm the CEO, so I'm the one who should take the heat.
"But I think that once this team starts to win -- this year, next year, I can't tell you when -- but when it happens, a lot of this anger will go away just like that. People just what to see a winner -- that goes for the fans, the media, everyone else.
"I don't think giving you a payroll number is the definition of success these days in baseball," said McClatchy, citing "what the Marlins did with a payroll that was literally $120 million less than the Yankees."
The immediate prospects for the Bucs rest on the shoulders of such youngsters as Tike Redman, Craig Wilson and Bobby Hill as well as redemption-seeking veterans as Raul Mondesi and Jose Mesa.
Rest assured that for now, the days of high-salaried players wearing black-and-gold uniforms are over.
XTom Williams is a sportswriter for The Vindicator. Write him at williams@vindy.com.