Sinking ship

Despite an upbeat GM, it's hard to find hope for the Pirates

Throughout spring training, SI.com will feature regular dispatches from Sports Illustrated staffers assigned to scout camps in the Grapefruit and Cactus leagues.

By Jeff Pearlman, Sports Illustrated

Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

Site: Bradenton, Fla.

Weather: Mid 70s and windy

Player I Saw Whom I Really Liked: Player schmayer. The guy Pittsburgh should be thrilled to have around is GM Dave Littlefield, an energetic, no-excuses-allowed powerhouse who -- somehow -- gets visibly excited over Pirates baseball. Littlefield is refreshingly candid, and willingly admits his club is struggling to dig out from under a thunderous pile of manure. "We've got lots of holes," he says. "But there's no crying allowed. We'll find a way."

Around the Horn: In case you were wondering, Littlefield does not have it easy. Thanks to former GM Cam Bonifay -- whose resumé of horrific decisions makes you wonder if the job title stands for Give Money (away) -- the Pirates still owe huge chunks of coin to disappointing catcher Jason Kendall ($50 million over five years. Ugh.), out-of-the-picture shortstop Pat Mears and useless first baseman Kevin Young (one year, $6 million-plus). ... The Pirates non-roster invite list is what spring training is all about. Come to Bradenton, and you'll have a chance to see: 500-year-old Cuban Rolando Arrojo, famed marijuana dabbler Mark Corey (Does he have a chance to make it? Darn tootin'!), once-upon-a-time Brewers ace Jeff D'Amico, Mr. Stay Puft lookalike Dennys Reyes, tough-guy Jim Mann, always-enticing Julian Tavarez, and Jim Bibby, Kent Tekulve and Doc Medich, too. "It's an open competition," says manager Lloyd McClendon. "People want opportunities, and we provide them." ... Although he has not yet officially signed, outfielder Reggie Sanders is expected to join Pittsburgh ASAP. His tidy $1 million contract is perfect for the Bucs. By the end of March, the Pirates are likely to acquire one more veteran outfielder. Littlefield is still negotiating with the Yankees over Raul Mondesi, and free-agent Kenny Lofton is a second option. ... Third baseman Aramis Ramirez, a huge disappointment in 2002, reported to camp 15 pounds lighter than last season. This is an important year for the Dominican, who must show whether he's a blooming All-Star or the next Jim Presley. ... New first baseman Randall Simon received medical clearance to resume playing after missing two days of practice because of an abnormal reading during a heart electrocardiogram. ... This is the final chance for right-hander Brian Meadows, a 27-year-old soft-tosser who was once one of baseball's bright young prospects. Meadows went 1-6 with Pittsburgh last year, and his command his slipped. ... Number of Pirates who miss not having Derek (Operation Shutdown) Bell around? Oh, zero.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Jeff Pearlman will check in periodically with reports from his tour of spring camps. Click here to send a question to his Spring Training Mailbag.

 

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