Freeing Willie first of Bucs moves

PITTSBURGH - For Mike Williams, Sunday began like any other before an afternoon game. He sauntered into the clubhouse two-and-a-half hours before the scheduled start time, exchanged a pair of jeans for sliding pads and proceeded to walk around exchanging pleasantries with his teammates.

Little more than 15 minutes and a phone conversation with general manager Dave Littlefield later, Williams was again in front of his locker stall. This time he took off his sliding pads and threw them into a box of things earmarked for Philadelphia, where the two-time all-star was heading himself after being dealt to the Phillies for minor league southpaw Frank Brooks.

"I expected it," Williams said. "There's no doubt."

Williams was chipper as he quickly packed up his locker, leaving only a few hangers, a pullover and two pairs of uniform pants behind. Before leaving for Philadelphia, he probably danced a jig through the bowels of PNC Park, screaming at the top of his lungs, 'Free at last. Free at last. Thank God almighty, I'm free at last'

"I'm not disappointed at all," Williams fairly beamed. "I get a chance to go and play and play in the playoffs and that's what baseball's all about. It should be a lot of fun."

As if playing for the Pirates hasn't been fun. Nothing could be more enjoyable than slowly drowning as the franchise sinks quickly and comfortably into the deep quagmire of an 11th straight losing season. There can't be anything better than the dread of coming to the ballpark wondering what interesting new ways to lose the Pirates have invented.

Now he heads to the Phillies, a team that came into Sunday's action one game ahead of Arizona for the National League wild-card playoff berth. It's a far cry from Pittsburgh, which entered its 95th game 42-52, four games ahead of Milwaukee for last in the NL Central.

Williams may be earmarked for greener pastures, but the ramifications of a deal like this are simple to comprehend. The Pirates have essentially thrown in the towel on this season and are ready to rebuild. Again.

"I think people need to keep in perspective that we're 10 games under .500. We're trying to get better and that's the message from my standpoint," Littlefield said. "We're going to do what we have to do to try to get better, and I'm not sure if, being where we are right now 10 games under .500, that we've got to do some things to get better. There haven't been enough signs that point to a division contender."

Pretender doesn't even apply. Wanna-be mediocre hopeful is a more apt description.

"Maybe the only bitter feeling I have is what (Kevin Young) said when he left (after being released June 28)," Williams said. "This organization's in the same place it was when I got here. As a player you want to win, and I think it's frustrating at times when you're not winning."

A high-priced closer is a luxury a losing team cannot afford, even one that has championship aspirations. The franchise has made a commitment to the future and appears willing to sacrifice a few wins here and there to improve development of the organization's minor league system.

"The consistent message is that we want to become a champion and we obviously realize we're a ways away," Littlefield said. "This is part of acquiring more talent with an eye for the future."

Williams has been in the big leagues long enough to know the feel of the headsman's axe at the trade deadline. Two seasons ago the Pirates sent their closer to Houston for pitcher Tony McKnight, then re-signed him as an unrestricted free agent that winter.

This time it's different. Williams won't be coming back. And he believes the deal that sent his 141 career saves to Philadelphia won't be the last consummated by the Bucs before July 31.

"I know that trades are coming and I won't be the only one in here," Williams said. "It's my opinion, but I think they're going to rebuild the Pittsburgh Pirates."

With only 11 days remaining until the waiver-exemption trade deadline, struggling contenders like Oakland and Boston will be lining up for position players the likes of Brian Giles, Jason Kendall, Kenny Lofton and Reggie Sanders, or pitchers of Jeff Suppan's ilk who eat up innings and post low ERAs. Pennant hopefuls are likely to do exactly what Littlefield and the Pirates want; part with top-of-the-line prospects for established veterans in their postseason push.

"We have players that other teams covet," Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon said. "Mike was one of them."

So far, he's just the first one that has packed his bags. He won't be the last.

Nor will he be the only one humming 'Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Da' while doing so.

Keith's Korner is written by Leader Times Sports Editor Keith Barnes, who can be reached for comment at kbarnes@tribweb.com.