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Having identified light-hitters, such as Rob Mackowiak and Freddy Sanchez, as his best available options at third base, Pirates general manager David Littlefield has said upgrading the position is a prime objective this offseason.

What might come as a surprise, though, is how Littlefield is addressing that need.

A Pirates source confirmed Thursday that the club has expressed interest in free-agent infielder Nomar Garciaparra, who spent an injury-plagued 2005 season with the Chicago Cubs.

"I will say that we're going to investigate all possibilities at that position," Littlefield said. "Some of those (players) may be guys who are established and bouncing back from injuries or changing positions."

Garciaparra, 33, fits Littlefield's description perfectly.

A former five-time American League All-Star and twice that league's batting champion with the Boston Red Sox from 1996-2004, Garciaparra played in only 62 games with the Cubs last season when he suffered a ruptured tendon in his groin on April 20.

Upon his return to Chicago's lineup, Garciaparra was moved from shortstop to third base, where he started 34 games in place of an injured Aramis Ramirez. Prior to those starts, Garciaparra had never before played third base in the major leagues.

A representative for Garciaparra's agent, Arn Tellem of SFX Sports, said the company was not commenting on teams that have shown interest in their client.

Making a pitch for big-name free agents hasn't been an option for Littlefield in the past, but Garciaparra -- though a recognized name amongst baseball fans -- likely wouldn't command top dollar for his services after playing in just 143 games over the past two seasons because of various injuries.

And the Pirates probably wouldn't have to commit to a long-term deal to sign Garciaparra.

His willingness to switch positions could be taken as a sign he's seeking a short-term contract with a club to prove his worth over a couple of seasons before once again testing the free-agent market.

Pirates general managing partner Kevin McClatchy has given Littlefield clearance to increase the club's 2006 payroll into the high $40 million range, which would leave him with the financial flexibility needed to go after a free agent of Garciparra's pedigree.

"Right now, we're not in the A-grade market (for free agents)," Littlefield said. "One thing we always try hard to do is find some undervalued players. It's a risky way of doing business. It's not really the way you want to do business, but you always have to supplement."

With shortstop Jack Wilson only a season removed from representing the club in the All-Star Game, the Pirates probably would be interested in Garciaparra, a lifetime-.320 hitter, as their full-time third baseman.

Last season, the Pirates' third basemen combined to hit .259 with 14 home runs and 77 RBI.

Garciaparra hit nine homers, drove in 30 runs and batted .283 in 230 at-bats last season. For his career, he's topped the 20-homer plateau six times -- though he hasn't recorded as many as 10 home runs since 2003, when he hit 28 with the Red Sox.

His best seasons came while he was with the Red Sox, when he batted .357 with 27 home runs and 104 RBI in 1999, and when he hit .372 with 21 home runs and 96 RBI in 2000.

Other available free-agents at third base include Wes Helms (Brewers 4 home runs, 24 RBI, .298), Bill Mueller (Red Sox, 10, 62, .295 in 2005), Joe Randa (Padres, 17, 68, .276), Alex Gonzalez (Devil Rays, 9, 38, .269), Carlos Baerga (Nationals, 2, 19, .253), Joe McEwing (Royals, 1, 6, .239), Luis Lopez (Reds, 0, 2, .222), Trent Durrington (Brewers, 0, 2, .214), Jose Valentin (Dodgers, 2, 14, .170), Lou Merloni (Angels, 0, 1, .000) and Mike Mordecai (Marlins, 0, 0, .000).

Note: The Pirates announced that they have sold more than 8,100 full season equivalent packages for the 2006 season. In 2005, the club sold a total of 9,251 full season equivalents, which was a 19 percent increase over the 7,752 sold in 2004. In addition to full season equivalent renewals, which the Pirates approximate at 90 percent, the club has sold more than 500 new full season equivalents for 2006.

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