Pirates complete trade for Marte

12/13/2005
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday officially announced the trade of utility man Rob Mackowiak to the Chicago White Sox for left-handed reliever Damaso Marte.
The two teams had reached an agreement on the deal, pending physicals, during the Winter Meetings.
Marte, 30, emerged as one of the top left-handed relievers in the American League after being traded from the Pirates to the White Sox in 2002 for Minor League pitcher Matt Guerrier in 2002. In four seasons with Chicago, Marte was 14-12 with 31 saves and a 2.81 ERA in 279 appearances.
Marte enjoyed another strong season with Chicago in 2005, going 3-4 with a 3.77 ERA and four saves in 66 appearances. However, he showed up late for a game on Sept. 11 and was subsequently suspended for five days.
Along with free agent Roberto Hernandez, who is expected to officially sign a one-year, $2.75 million contract later this week, Marte provides the Pirates with insurance in case Mike Gonzalez struggles as a closer. Gonzalez will enter the 2006 season with four career saves.
"Because Gonzalez has had some limited opportunity as a closer, we feel it's important that we have someone strong around him," said Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield. "It gives [Pirates manager] Jim Tracy more weapons to use."
Marte joins Gonzalez and John Grabow as southpaws in the Pittsburgh bullpen, with hard-throwing Minor Leaguer Mike Johnston waiting in the wings. The Pirates could use either Marte or Grabow as trade bait in an attempt to fill their needs at third base or in right field.
"You try to acquire as much of an asset as you can, whether it's to win games and improve depth or to address some of the other needs that we have," said Littlefield.
Marte will earn $2.25 million in 2006, with a club option for $3 million in 2007 and a buyout of $250,000.
Mackowiak, 29, made his Major League debut in 2001 and was one of the longest-tenured Pirates at the time of the trade. In five big-league seasons, Mackowiak batted .258 with 52 home runs and 221 RBIs.
A versatile defensive player, Mackowiak made 50 starts at third base, 44 starts in the outfield and 17 starts at second base in 2005, and batted .272 with nine home runs and 58 RBIs in 142 games overall.
"Rob has been a fine player for us, and he's done a multitude of things," said Littlefield. "And he's a real quality guy. He's a hard-nosed, competitive player who is well liked by everybody. When you have those kinds of guys, they are hard to give up. We just felt like Marte was the kind of talent that made sense for us."

Source: http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/