PITTSBURGH PIRATES McClendon sees no need for gloom

The manager expects to field a competitive team.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Despite having just two of eight position players who started the 2003 season and a payroll expected to be about $20 million less, Pittsburgh Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon believes he can field a competitive team this spring.
"Don't believe all the doom and gloom you read in the newspapers and hear in the media," McClendon said Monday during the Pirates caravan visit to the Butler Institute of American Art.
The Pirates finished fourth in the National League Central Division (75-87), their 11th straight losing season. Gone from last year's squad are third baseman Aramis Ramirez and outfielder Brian Giles, who batted in the heart of the Bucs' order.
The Pirates are expected to spend about $35 million on players in 2004.
Appearing at the museum were shortstop Jack Wilson and left-fielder Jason Bay, the key player acquired in last August's trade of Giles to San Diego.
And to help promote the 25th anniversary of the Pirates' 1979 World Series championship, catcher Manny Sanguillen visited.
Missing pieces
McClendon is still looking for pieces to the puzzle that his lineup card presents.
Center-fielder Tike Redman and catcher Jason Kendall are likely to hit in the top spots in the batting lineup.
"Jason will hit second for us," McClendon said. "With his on-base percentage and ability to move runners, we'd be hard-pressed not to have him back at the top."
After that, the mystery grows.
"As for number three, I'm not sure I have that guy right now," McClendon said.
Wilson, along with Kendall, are the only two regulars returning.
"All of the sudden, I'm a veteran," the 26-year-old infielder said about his fourth season in Pittsburgh. "It's kind of crazy [but] I'm going to try and take more of a leadership role this year."
Patience needed
In 150 games, Wilson hit .256, with an on-base percentage of .303. Despite a lack of veterans to field, McClendon doesn't see Wilson getting out of the seventh or eight spot "until he can show me he can get on base or show more patience at the plate.
"His strikeouts have to come down -- he's shown he can hit in the clutch," McClendon said. "[But] in order to hit at the top of the order, you've got to be able to get on base."
Wilson said he's aware his numbers need to rise.
"If I were to have the same year again as far as hitting, I'd take it in a heartbeat," Wilson said. "I lined out a lot of times, so hopefully this year I will have a little more luck.
"The numbers aren't there -- the RBIs [62] were, which I am particularly proud of -- but the on-base percentage has to [improve].
"I've never been a guy who walks -- they tried calming me down a bit, but I want to be even more aggressive this year. At the same time, it wouldn't hurt to be smarter as to when to take pitches.
"I've yet to hit over .260 [so] it's kind of tough for me being a .320 minor-league hitter hitting .250 up here," Wilson said. "It still doesn't sit right with me."
McClendon said the pitching staff, anchored by starters Kris Benson, Kip Wells and Josh Fogg, "is going to be a strength this year. We have some exciting young starters, but obviously we're going to go into spring training trying to capture some offense. We need some help at the corners."
Bay is coming off surgery on his right shoulder and said he doesn't expect to begin throwing until early March.
williams@vindy.com