Veteran, youngster compete for spot

02/21/2006
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Pirates infielders Yurendell DeCaster and Jose Hernandez reported to Spring Training on Tuesday at the opposite ends of the career spectrum.
DeCaster, 26, was added to Pittsburgh's 40-man roster for the first time this past offseason after hitting .280 with 11 home runs and 61 RBIs in 122 games with Triple-A Indianapolis. He is a prospect on the rise, looking to get his first taste of the big leagues.
Hernandez is a former All-Star out to prove that he has another productive season left in his 36-year-old body. Coming off of a disappointing season with the Cleveland Indians (.231 BA, 6 HR, 31 RBI), he accepted a non-roster invite to Pirates Spring Training when no other teams were interested in signing him to a big-league deal.
For all of their differences, the two players share a common goal: They both want to earn a spot on the Pirates 25-man roster and head north with the team for the opening of the 2006 season.
The Pirates starting lineup is already set, with the exception of catcher, where Ryan Doumit and Humberto Cota are expected to share duties behind the plate. With infielder Freddy Sanchez, first basemen/outfielder Craig Wilson and outfielder Jody Gerut already entrenched in their roles on the bench, only one reserve spot remains available.
Manager Jim Tracy has often said that he wants to fill the last opening with a player who has the ability to fill in at several different positions.
"One of those [bench players] has to be a pretty special guy from a standpoint of versatility," said Tracy.
Hernandez and DeCaster certainly fit that bill. Both have the ability to play just about anywhere on the diamond.
Hernandez, while playing for Tracy in Los Angeles in 2004, appeared at every position except for pitcher and catcher. The Bucs skipper has made no secret of his admiration of Hernandez's versatility.
"In the National League, with the number of things that have to be considered and quite possibly take place in the course of a game, to be a bench player who has that type of versatility is invaluable," said Tracy.
Hernandez cited his relationship with Tracy as the primary reason he took the Pirates non-roster offer rather than accept a similar deal from the Dodgers or Nationals.
"Tracy was the biggest thing," said Hernandez. "I played for him already in L.A. and I want to be part of this team."
DeCaster, like former Bucs supersub Rob Mackowiak, can play third base, second base and all three outfield positions. He is also beginning to put his raw talent to use at the plate. After hitting between 11 and 19 home runs during each of his previous five Minor League seasons, DeCaster batted .325 and belted 17 home runs and drove in 47 runs in the Venezuelan Winter League on his way to being selected by Baseball America as the Winter Player of the Year.
"It felt so great that I could go to Venezuela and do my best and have some success," said DeCaster. "Now, I have to come in and do my best and see if I can make this team. I don't know what my chances are, but I am going to do everything I can to be one of those guys who breaks with the team."
DeCaster's winter exploits did not go unnoticed by the Bucs skipper.
"Someone who goes out and spends his winter improving himself at his trade and hits 17 home runs in the Venezuelan Winter League, that will have a tendency to get your attention," said Tracy.
The World Baseball Classic could have an impact on both DeCaster and Hernandez.
DeCaster, a native of Curaco, will leave the Pirates camp to join the Dutch national team in early March. Although he'll be gone for at least a week, perhaps longer if the underdog Netherlands squad can earn an upset win or two in the first round, DeCaster was encouraged by Pirates GM Littlefield to participate in the tournament.
"I think it will be a positive [experience]," said Littlefield. "The fact that he will play in a game-like environment with probably more riding on it than a Spring Training game will be something that will help him."
Hernandez, who has been invited to play for Puerto Rico, is strongly considering skipping the tournament so that he can remain with the Pirates.
"I don't know yet," said Hernandez. "It's going to be a hard decision. I have to see the situation here. I have to make this team.
"I talked with [Puerto Rican team officials] and explained my situation. I know it's my country and my flag, but this is my job first. I'll see this situation first and go from there."
Although Hernandez might appear to be the early favorite to win the final roster spot because of his past history with Tracy, the Bucs skipper says that the competition is wide open between the upstart rookie and grizzled veteran.
"We are going into a first full-squad workout [Wednesday] very open-minded," said Tracy. "I don't know who is going to make the team."

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