BRADENTON, Fla. -- For openers, Craig Wilson and Rob Mackowiak started in the outfield. But their long-term roles in what has become a crowded outfield are as cloudy as the overcast skies that hung over the Pirates' first exhibition yesterday.
"It's not so big to be in the first game here. I'd rather be in the first game in Cincinnati," said Wilson, who opened in right field with Mackowiak patrolling center as the Pirates lost to the Philadelphia Phillies, 6-3.
There are so many scenarios involving the two role players that it will take a month of exhibitions to sort them out. Both figured to have significant playing time this season, but that changed when the Pirates signed Reggie Sanders. It could change again if Kenny Lofton agrees to the offer on the table.
Mackowiak, who at one point in the off-season was the No. 1 center fielder, got the nod yesterday because Sanders is rounding into baseball shape and won't play in a game until next week. Wilson, expected to platoon in right field with Matt Stairs, was in the lineup because the Phillies' starting pitcher was left-hander Randy Wolf.
What happens next depends on Lofton signing, trades, injuries and how Manager Lloyd McClendon shapes his bench. Both have minor-league options if they don't make the major-league roster.
"We'll see how it plays out," McClendon said. "We have some tough decisions. That's the way it should be."
Wilson and Mackowiak have similarities. Both were called up from Nashville when injuries ravaged the Pirates in 2001. Both are coming off their first full season in the majors in which they each hit 16 home runs and struck out at the alarming rate of roughly one out of three at-bats. Despite their streakiness at the plate, both have value because of their versatility.
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Craig Wilson pops up in his only official at-bat vs. the Phillies yesterday. (Peter Diana, Post-Gazette) | |
Friends on and off the field, they were workout partners well before spring training opened and needle each other daily about their situations. Their equipment bags carry so many different types of gloves they could stock the shelves of a sporting goods store. Most days, they're the first ones on the practice field and the last to leave because of the work they do at different positions.
Mackowiak works out at all three outfield positions and every infield position except shortstop. He also can be used as an emergency catcher. For that, Wilson calls him "super sub." If the Pirates elect to go with Abraham Nunez as their lone backup infielder, Mackowiak's value will increase
Wilson, the more productive of the two so far, plays right field, first base and catcher. McClendon plans to use him as a catcher in some spring games, and it is not out of the question that Wilson could beat out Humberto Cota for the backup catcher's job.
"I get the work done I have to do at all three spots. Whatever happens, happens," Wilson said. "A lot of it depends on what I do. You go out and do your job. Hopefully, you'll make the decision tough enough for them that they won't bypass you. Whatever decisions they make, it's out of your control."
Mackowiak, who has battled and overcome the odds his entire career, has taken a similar approach.
"We're in limbo every year. You have to be prepared for everything, for each situation. The way I see it is, you did something in the past to want them to try to find a place for you to play. If you were a piece of garbage, they wouldn't be looking to put you somewhere.
"There won't be any hard feelings if you get sent down. You know you competed, gave it everything you had," he added. "You're here to win. I don't mind them bringing in the competition. It makes you play better when there's is more competition and you don't have a guaranteed spot."
But Wilson joked that he will hire a hitman or call someone like Tonya Harding's old boyfriend to whack his friend on the knee.
"If it comes down to me and him, no offense, but ... I think he feels the same way," Wilson said. "He's hoping it's him rather me."
Robert Dvorchak can be reached at bdvorchak@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1959.
Pirates' Mackowiak, Wilson in limbo 
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