Bucs tell Mientkiewicz he must play several positions with team

The Pirates told the former Gold Glove first baseman to demonstrate versatility.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz sounds pumped up enough to be in Pirates camp that optimistic fans might imagine him catching the final out of the World Series for Pittsburgh, as he did for the Boston Red Sox in 2004.

What would he do with the ball if that happened?

“I’m giving it back,” he said. “I’m never going through that again.”

Mientkiewicz was embroiled in a months-long dispute with the Red Sox over ownership of the ball that ended Boston’s 86-year run without a World Series title. The parties finally agreed the following spring to send it to the Hall of Fame.

But given the Pirates’ recent history, chances are that Mientkiewicz will have no such headache with his new team.

For one, Pittsburgh is coming off a 68-94 season that marked its 15th year in a row below .500.

For another, he is viewed by management as a long shot to make the roster because he is a left-handed bench player and a first baseman on a team that already has both, in Adam LaRoche and Ryan Doumit, respectively.

The Pirates have told Mientkiewicz, a Gold Glove first baseman who has spent all but six games of his 10-year major-league career at that position, that he must demonstrate versatility. He will play second and third base, as well as the corner outfield positions.

He played all of those positions plus catcher in the minors, but he acknowledged his refresher course will be a challenge.

“At some point in your career, you’re going to have to make a club this way,” Mientkiewicz said. “I know with Adam LaRoche here, with Jason Bay, with Xavier Nady, that those guys are going to play. But I know I can back those guys up.”

Mientkiewicz, 33, was released by the New York Yankees after batting .277 and being limited to 72 games because of a broken wrist.

Mientkiewicz was signed last week to a minor-league contract that would pay him $750,000 if he makes the 25-man roster. If he doesn’t make it, he’ll be a free agent again.

“If Doug is able to move around the diamond, he’ll make our decisions very interesting at the end of camp,” general manager Neal Huntington said.

New Pirates manager John Russell managed Mientkiewicz in two of his first three years in the Minnesota Twins’ system.

“He understands, with LaRoche there, he’s going to have to do some different things,” Russell said. “He’s up for it.”

Mientkiewicz also seems up for motivating a group of Pirates who long have lacked a winning environment. He has spent much of his first three days in camp talking to players, even veterans such as All-Star second baseman Freddy Sanchez, about putting the team first.

“Look, this group can’t change the 15 years that just happened, but they can be remembered as the one that started to turn this franchise around,” Mientkiewicz said. “It’s a matter of saying, ‘You know what? I’m sick of this.’ ”

Notes

Reliever Damaso Marte, out with the flu since camp opened, said he is feeling better and could join workouts soon. Third baseman Jose Bautista became the 11th position player to report early. Position players are required to report today, with the first full-squad workout Wednesday.