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Cam Shafted
By Scott Robertson

As you read, the Pirates are in spring training in Bradenton, Fla., trying to work out the problems of the past and take the steps necessary to avoid a ninth consecutive losing season. How they will fare, of course, will be played out over a 162-game season that begins next month.

The question for this month is, how many games go by before the big meeting?

No, not the one where new manager Lloyd McClendon closes the clubhouse and throws the food. Not even the players-only meeting Jason Kendall or Brian Giles calls when things appear to be falling off the track.

I'm talking about the one where owner Kevin McClatchy decides who he'll throw-in with - McClendon or general manager Cam Bonifay.

These kind of meetings appear to be happening more and more frequently. Bill Cowher had one with Dan Rooney. Rooney threw in with him and threw out Tom Donahoe. McClatchy apparently had one last year at some point, opting to throw in with Bonifay and throw out Gene Lamont.

They happen elsewhere, too. The ownership of the Cleveland Indians threw in with GM John Hart and threw out manager Mike Hargrove, despite the winning seasons Hargrove had brought. They threw in with Hart, despite the fact that he has traded, over the past three seasons, Giles, Sean Casey and Richie Sexson.

What have the Indians received for all that slugging? Ricardo Rincon, Dave Burba and Bob Wickman, and a longer and tougher path to first place.

Bonifay now finds himself in that same boat. He has built this team, with its acknowledged financial constraints, but in his era, the Pirates have shown no improvement and, in fact, have regressed. His future with the Pirates is on the line.

If the team does not show marked improvement this season, McClatchy will have some decisions to make. An easy one will be to unload Bonifay and throw in with McClendon.

This is not to say Bonifay has not done good things. Acquiring Giles and helping to get he and Kendall signed to long-term deals bode well for the future of the franchise. But he has missed more than he's made.

He has a chance to survive, but he needs his boys to save him. Guys like Pat Meares, who was inexplicably signed to a long-term deal when no one else wanted him, must come through. So must third baseman Aramis Ramirez - if he falters or is injured, who plays that position?

His deal of Wil Cordero doesn't even look that great anymore. Alex Ramirez has been sent off to Japan and Enrique Wilson is a question mark, at best.

Speaking of question marks, why has there not been more concern over the giveaway of Tony Womack to Arizona? Although not a great leadoff hitter, he was far from the worst. He was arbitration eligible and didn't want to play the outfield, so he was dealt.

But for what? To open up a spot for Warren Morris? I know it's hindsight, but after Morris' poor performance in 2000, how wise was that? - even though Estaban Loaiza for Morris still appears a deal that should go in Bonifay's plus column.

Derek Bell is another key. He must perform well for the Pirates to improve. There is a lot of speculation that he has passed his prime - time will tell.

Bonifay has a contract that runs through 2003. He has been in his current position since June of 1993, but has yet to preside over a team that finished on the plus side of .500. Injuries, small market status, no money, bad ballpark, empty minor league system and unsightly spots in the drain have been cited as the reasons the Pirates haven't improved. If they don't get better this year, a change has to be made.

McClatchy's choice is relatively simple. He can throw in with McClendonm secure in the knowledge that one year as manager won't be enough for him to turn the team around. He can sacrifice Bonifay, citing the team's overall lack of improvement during his tenure as GM.

Or the Pirates can improve. Ramirez will hit and play defense, and so will Bell and Meares. Jason Schmidt and Francisco Cordova will recover from last season's injuries and pitch well. John Vander Wal will get enough at-bats, and Kevin Young's knees will allow him to be an impact player. Adrian Brown will flourish as a centerfielder and lead-off hitter.

If all of those things happen, the Pirates will get better. If they don't, the Pirates will continue to struggle.

And here's one more if, If there is not marked improvement, McClatchy will throw in with McClendon and throw out Cam Bonifay.