Off day - looking ahead

Two paragraphs from the end of Dejan Kovacevic's notebook:

Littlefield and McClendon got out a paper and pen after the game Saturday night to do a little speculating on what the team's 2006 starting rotation might look like.

They saw a lot of options.

Although Oliver Perez is pretty much of a lock, the other options include the other starters this season -- Dave Williams, Josh Fogg, Kip Wells and Mark Redman, although Redman is in an interesting situation because he has a player's option on his contract.

Then, there's Snell, as well as Class AAA prospect Zach Duke, two young players who might be ready to start in the major leagues next year.

In addition, Sean Burnett and John Van Benschoten are on the disabled list, but are expected to be healthy next spring.

Gray area

With the non-waiver trade deadline coming up in a little more than a month, Littlefield said the Pirates' outlook fluctuates.

"How we perform dictates that a little bit," Littlefield said. "Two weeks ago, there are a lot of high hopes of where we might go, but we've had a tough schedule and we have not pitched as well and our power numbers aren't as good as they were, so, as we sit right now, I'd have to say we're in that gray area of being a seller."

So the Bucs don't have Redman signed for next year after all? If it's a player option, and one for a relatively low number, it's hard to see Redman exercising it. He could become a free agent and make more on the open market.

Oliver Perez is not the untouchable he was a year ago. Much of his trouble looks mental to me. Other teams might be inclined to think a change of scene would do him well, and they might even part with the high-caliber bat the Pirates need.

I don't want to see the Pirates become the Reds - all hitting and no pitching - but it's plain as day that the team needs at least one more middle-of-the-order guy to compete in the NL Central.