Notes: Last workouts before Classic

03/02/2006
BRADENTON -- Seven Pirates players worked out with the team Thursday morning for the final time before heading to their respective World Baseball Classic pre-tournament training camps.
For all of the coverage that has been given recently to those who have elected to pull out of the inaugural tournament, there is no denying the fact that the players who will be participating in the World Baseball Classic are genuinely thrilled to have the opportunity to play for their countries.
"I'm very excited. You don't know what to expect. It's new for all of us," said Pirates setup man and Dominican native Salomon Torres. "It is a big deal for a lot of countries, especially for mine. There is a lot of pride involved."
"It's going to be fun," added reliever Giovanni Carrara of Venezuela. "It's my first time to have a chance to represent my country and playing against guys I've worked with. I'm really excited to be there and I'm proud to represent my country."
With the anticipation that has been built up since the tournament was announced last summer, the Pirates players have been champing at the bit to get to their camps.
"We've been talking about it for a while. Now we're just ready to get out there and get going," said outfielder Jason Bay, who will be Team Canada's marquee player. "You have that anticipation, it finally gets here and you definitely get excited."
"Everybody wants to represent their country. You are excited because you want to be with your team and get ready for the games start," said Pirates and Team Mexico starter Oliver Perez.
The wait has been particularly difficult for Pirates infield prospect Yurendell DeCaster. Most of his Netherlands countrymates have been working out for two weeks without him at the Pirate City complex.
"It's been a little tough," DeCaster said. "They have been playing and I want to be in that group. Now, I'll have a chance to help my team."
There has been quite a bit of good-natured trash talking in the McKechnie Field clubhouse this spring, particularly between Bay and Perez. Mexico and Canada will square off against each other in a game that could determine which country will advance to the second round of the tournament.
"You say things like, 'I am going to strike you out,' or 'I am going to hit a home run off of you,'" said Perez, who has also jokingly warned Bay that he'd better be ready for a high and tight pitch if they face each other.
"We'll let the actions on the field take care of that," countered Bay. "We have very similar teams and I think it will be a really good game."
The players' primary concern is to avoid injuries that could impact their ability to help the Pirates when they return to Bradenton.
"You want to do enough to help your country, but you want to be able to bring your arm back [healthy] for the Pittsburgh Pirates," said Torres. "At the end of the day, we have to come back to our teams and we want to come back in one piece."
Renewals likely: Thursday was the final day of negotiations between the Pirates and their unsigned players with less than three years of Major League service time.
With the team's self-imposed noon Thursday deadline looming, it was anticipated that at least a few of the 12 remaining unsigned players would refuse to accept the club's final offer. Because "zero-three-players" are under the contractual control of the team, their refusal to sign is simply a formal way for them communicate their displeasure with the Pirates' final contract offer.
As of Thursday morning, southpaw Zach Duke was not sure if he'd accept the team's offer, which was reportedly worth $335,000 for the 2006 season.
"It's just one of those [situations] where either I am going to take it or I'm not. It's not a big deal," said Duke. "I'm not angry at the Pirates at all. It's just one of those situations where it's just a contract."
The Pirates have decided not to exercise their right to impose a $10,000 penalty on players who refuse to sign.
Bucs bits: The Bucs' exhibition opener Thursday against the Washington Nationals at Viera, Fla. marked their first trip to the Atlantic coast for Grapefruit League action since they played two games against the Expos in Jupiter, Fla. in 2000. ... Former Pirates stars Manny Sanguillen and Kent Tekulve have returned to Bradenton as special Spring Training instructors. "It's great to come back here. It makes me feel good," said Sanguillen. "I remember all of my teammates like [Roberto] Clemente, [Willie] Stargell, Bobby Moose and Steve Blass and all of the good times we had." ... The Pirates will have their annual meeting with representatives from the Major League Baseball Players Association on Friday morning.
Quotable: "It would be a huge honor. That is every pitcher's dream to get the ball and be counted upon by your teammates to be that No. 1 guy. At the same time, I feel as long as I get the baseball then I'm doing exactly what I want to do. I'm getting a chance to pitch." - Duke, on the possibility that he could be named Pittsburgh's Opening Day starter
On deck: Duke will start the Pirates' spring home opener at McKechnie Field on Friday against Washington right-hander Tony Armas, Jr. Paul Maholm, Mike Johnston, Terry Adams and Marty McLeary are also expected to see action for the Bucs. Tickets for the game are available at pirates.mlb.com.

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