Pirates trade Williams, Mulholland

SAN FRANCISCO - When the dust settled Tuesday afternoon following a second day of deadline trading, Tony McKnight was in the starting rotation, Mike Fetters was at the back end of the bullpen, Terry Mulholland was en route to Los Angeles, Mike Williams was packing his bags for Houston and several Pirates players were concerned about the organization's future.

'It certainly makes you think about who is part of the puzzle,' outfielder Brian Giles said after general manager Dave Littlefield made two more trades yesterday before the 4 p.m. non-waiver deadline.

'I want to win, and I want to win in Pittsburgh,' catcher Jason Kendall said. 'But they took some fire out of the clubhouse in the past two days.'

One day after sending pitcher Jason Schmidt and outfielder John Vander Wal to the San Francisco Giants for outfielder Armando Rios and pitcher Ryan Vogelsong, Littlefield concentrated his overhaul on the bullpen.

Littlefield traded Williams, the team's closer for the past two seasons, to the Houston Astros for McKnight, a 24-year-old right-hander. Littlefield then sent Mulholland to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Fetters, a 36-year-old right-handed reliever, and minor-league pitcher Adrian Burnside.

McKnight will replace Schmidt in the rotation and will start Thursday night here against the Giants. Joe Beimel will move up one day and start tonight, while Mike Lincoln returns to the bullpen.

Fetters, a set-up man with the Dodgers and a 13-year veteran, replaces Williams as the Pirates' closer. He was 2-1 with one save and a 6.07 ERA in 34 appearances.

McKnight and Fetters are scheduled to join the Pirates in time for their game tonight.

'We've lost some quality individuals who not only were important on the field but in the clubhouse,' Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon said. 'From that aspect, we've taken a hit. But it's part of baseball. It's a business whether we like it or not. There's also a tremendous upside because we got some pretty good players in return.'

Littlefield, who replaced Cam Bonifay just 18 days ago, was asked if he was satisfied with his first series of trades as general manager.

'You're never quite satisfied,' he said. 'You're always shooting for a little bit more. It's human nature. It's the competitive nature we all have. These are deals that help us now and make us better down the road.'

Still, Giles and Kendall couldn't help but be concerned about the road the Pirates are taking.

'It reminds me of 1996 all over again,' said Kendall, referring to the rebuilding project that the Pirates undertook that season. 'We're talking about a firesale. We've been rebuilding for six years. I know guys we got in return are pretty good players, but the guys we got rid of are established players.

'We were told mano-a-mano that we were not rebuilding. I don't know what you call this. But I definitely know I'm a little confused.'

Giles expected changes because of the Pirates' record. They entered play yesterday tied for last place in the National League Central.

'You knew something was going to happen,' he said. 'Obviously when a team is playing as poorly as this team, there's a need for change. I can agree or disagree with them, but it's not my job to agree or disagree.'

Mulholland, who visited the clubhouse before the game to pack his gear and say goodbye to his former teammates, understood the rationale behind the trades and hoped that Giles and Kendall would, as well.

'There are going to be guys in that clubhouse who might not agree with this, but this was a necessary evil,' Mulholland said. 'You have to turn over a good portion of your personnel and infuse some new blood into the organization. Dave Littlefield obviously didn't take this job to come in and keep things status quo. And he certainly didn't take it to make the organization worse. You've got to start somewhere.

'It's easy to sit and point out the problems. The tough part is finding the solutions. A lot of times it's a bitter pill to swallow. It's good to see Dave have the guts to do these things.'

As with the case with the trade Monday, the deals Littlefield made yesterday were done with one eye on the bottom line. The Pirates will save about $400,000 owed to Williams, who is earning $1.2 million this season.

The Mulholland-for-Fetters swap could save them about $1 million. Mulholland, who returned to his western Pennsylvania roots this winter when he signed a two-year, $6 million contract, will make $3 million next season.

Fetters makes $1.6 million this year and $2.15 million in 2002. His contract also includes a club option for 2003 at $2.75 million and a buyout at $250,000.

Fetters, however, might not be with the Pirates after this season. As a player traded in the middle of a multi-year contract, he has the right to demand a trade at the end of the year. Fetters indicated to several Dodgers players that he would exercise that right.

'I'm (ticked), I'm bummed and I don't want to go,' Fetters said. 'But I will go. I'll go to Pittsburgh and pitch my butt off for them.'

Fetters has experience as a closer, saving 91 games in 507 career appearances. He saved 32 games for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1996.

'I don't think he'll have a problem,' McClendon said. 'He's capable of closing games, he has a track record, and he won't be overwhelmed by any situations.'

Fetters was 6-2 with a 3.24 ERA last season with the Dodgers. He re-signed with them thinking he would end his career in Los Angeles.

'The bottom line is I've always wanted to be a Dodger my whole life,' he said. 'This is the first time I've had a shot at the postseason in my whole career, and I'm not going to have that anymore. ... I'm going from first place to last. I'm not happy about that.'

McKnight also is leaving a contender. He made a spot start against the Pirates on Saturday and allowed two runs in seven innings while picking up the win. He is 1-0 in three starts this season and 5-1 with a 3.91 ERA in five career starts. Included was a complete-game four-hitter against the Pirates on Sept. 27.

'We certainly know what he is capable of doing,' McClendon said. 'We're going to give him an opportunity to go out and pitch.'

McKnight spent much of this season at Class AAA New Orleans, going 9-5 with a 4.76 ERA in 18 starts. He was the Astros' first-round pick in the 1995 draft.

'He's a high-end quality starter who helps us now and down the road,' Littlefield said.

The Astros reluctantly parted with McKnight so they could add Williams to their bullpen. Williams saved 22 games in 24 chances for the Pirates but will be used as a set-up man in Houston.

'Although you hate to lose a young player, particularly a pitcher with Tony McKnight's potential, you have to give up value to get value,' Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker said.

Burnside, a 24-year-old left-hander from Australia, was 4-3 with a 2.66 ERA in 13 games at Class AA Jacksonville. He will be assigned to Class AA Altoona.