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BRADENTON, Fla. — Pitchers and catchers report to spring training today and begin official workouts Saturday, but some of the focus for the Pirates continues to take place off the field.

General manager Dave Littlefield still hopes to have another addition to the spring roster in the form of a veteran outfielder.

Littlefield said Thursday that he has maintained discussions with free agent center fielder Kenny Lofton's agent. He also confirmed the Pirates have talked with representatives for free agents Ron Gant and Reggie Sanders and that a trade for an outfielder remains a possibility.

"There is stronger interest in our part in some guys, just like there is stronger interest in some guys' part about coming here than others," Littlefield said.

One thing is for sure. Littlefield won't feel comfortable opening the season with the current makeup of center field. As it stands, Rob Mackowiak is the front-runner to win the starting job, with rookie Tony Alvarez an outside possibility. If a corner outfielder such as Raul Mondesi of the New York Yankees is obtained, Brian Giles would move from left field to center.

Mackowiak made 37 starts in center last year, the most of any returning outfielder. The Pirates would prefer to use Mackowiak off the bench.

"I'm working hard to get someone in here," Littlefield said. "We want to get better. I still think our situation is one that there is opportunity if we find the right people and at the right price."

The Pirates do not have an opening on the 40-man roster and are trying to add a free agent via a minor-league contract, although Littlefield didn't rule out the possibility of offering a major-league deal.

"Relative to where we are, we're not talking to the premium players in the game," he said. "But there are scenarios that can help us upgrade, and we're open-minded to see if it all will work out."

If the Pirates go the free-agent route, it would be for only one season. Rookie right fielder J.J. Davis will spend his first season at Class AAA Nashville and the Pirates want Alvarez to open the year there, as well.

"We're trying to patch things up for the short term and shore them up for the long term," Littlefield said. "We're trying to make a fair evaluation of what we've got in our minor-league system and we don't want to rush anybody. That's why we're kind of meshing the short-term and long-term plans. Our goal is to keep making progress at the major-league level and win more games. At the same time, we think we have some major-league players coming. We just don't think this year we're in a position for them to help us."

Although position players report in a week, Littlefield said he doesn't necessarily have to sign a free agent or complete a trade by that time.

"You can't make moves based on what perceived pressure is out there," he said. "You have to do it based on what makes sense for the club. If you make a move based on timing, it's a factor that probably will lead you in the wrong direction."

Many of the 33 pitchers on the spring roster already have started working out at the team's Pirate City minor-league complex, including starters Kris Benson, Kip Wells and Josh Fogg and relievers Scott Sauerbeck, Joe Beimel and Mike Williams. A handful of position players, including shortstop Jack Wilson, second baseman Pokey Reese and Mackowiak also are working out here.

Littlefield, manager Lloyd McClendon and the coaching staff met for three hours yesterday and will do so again today in advance of Saturday's first official workout.

In another matter, the Pirates have announced that 12 of the 32 Grapefruit League games will be broadcast on radio and the Internet. Two games will be televised: March 7 against the Cincinnati Reds (7:05 p.m.) and March 29 against the Detroit Tigers (1:05 p.m.).

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