--RHP Denny Bautista became a free agent after the Pirates decided not to tender him a contract by the Dec. 12 deadline. The Pirates were hesitant to go through a potential arbitration hearing with Bautista after he went 4-3 with a 6.10 ERA in 35 relief appearances following his acquisition from Detroit in a June trade.
--OF Jason Michaels, whom the Pirates had interest in re-signing, agreed to a one-year contract worth $750,000 with Houston as a free agent. Michaels, 32, hit .228 with eight home runs and 44 RBIs in 102 games with the Pirates last season after being acquired from Cleveland in a May trade. --C Ryan Doumit, who is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time, is reportedly close to signing a multiyear contract. The switch hitter batted .318 with 15 homers and 69 RBIs in 116 games last season, his first full year as a starter in the major leagues. LHP Paul Maholm and CF Nate McLouth are two other arbitration-eligible players who have been offered multiyear deals, but neither seems close to accepting.
--3B Ty Wigginton, who was not tendered a contract by Houston, is one of a number of free agents the Pirates are interesting in signing. They have also inquired about RHP Daniel Cabrera, RHP Derrick Turnbow and INF/OF Jerry Hairston Jr.
--OF Brandon Moss, who had knee surgery at the end of last season, and LHP Phil Dumatrait, who had shoulder surgery in September, were among 10 players who participated in a voluntary conditioning camp at the Pirates' spring training complex in Bradenton, Fla. Others present were LHP Sean Burnett, LHP Tom Gorzelanny, LHP Donnie Veal, RHP Matt Capps, RHP Jeff Karstens, RHP Ross Ohlendorf, RHP Jeff Sues and OF Nyjer Morgan.
--RHP Chris Bootcheck, who missed part of this season with an arm ailment, signed a minor league deal with the Pirates. Bootcheck had appeared in the majors with the Angels in each of the past five seasons, going 3-7 with one save and a 6.04 ERA in 77 games (three starts).
BY THE NUMBERS: 19 -- Age new Pirates play-by-play broadcaster Tim Neverett was when he began his career calling games for Class AA Nashua in 1985.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Every kid who grew up in Puerto Rico dreams of playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates because it is Roberto Clemente's team. It was definitely a factor in signing with the Pirates." -- INF Ramon Vazquez, after signing a two-year, $4 million contract as a free agent.
