Doug Mientkiewicz is in the process of changing agents. Perhaps that will change the state of negotiations between the free agent utility player and the Pirates.
Mientkiewicz emerged as one of the clubhouse leaders of a young team last year in his first season with the Pirates. General manager Neal Huntington expressed a strong interest in re-signing Mientkiewicz as a free agent after the 34-year-old hit .277 with two home runs and 30 RBIs in 125 games. Huntington said he had spoken to Mientkiewicz's agent, Greg Landry, on at least six occasions since the end of the season and was left with the impression they were not close to a deal. Mientkiewicz claims Landry did not apprise him of the talks, which is why he is in the process of hiring Steve Hilliard as his new agent.
"We'll see what happens, but I know I can make a difference there," Mientkiewicz said. "When you've got kids going out there every day, they're going to need a break. I think I proved last year what I can do coming off a bench."
The Pirates have not made an offer to Mientkiewicz. However, Huntington has not ruled out bringing back the 11-year veteran in 2009.
"The door is still open," Huntington said. "Doug is going to evaluate his best fit. We're going to evaluate the makeup of our bench. There still can be a match."
