Pirates want major leaguer, top prospect for Benson

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates probably will demand a major league-ready position player and a top prospect for right-hander Kris Benson, who is expected to be traded before the July 31 deadline.

If the Diamondbacks don't deal Randy Johnson - and they have yet to ask him to waive his no-trade clause - Benson could be the most desirable starting pitcher available before the deadline for making trades without putting players through waivers.

Benson (7-7, 4.26 ERA), injury-free for the first time since 2000, allowed two runs in 8 1-3 innings in beating Florida 6-2 Friday. He has yielded two or fewer earned runs in all but one of his last six starts and has pitched into the seventh inning in nine consecutive starts.

Benson can become a free agent after this season and, despite his 42-48 career record, probably would be too expensive for the Pirates to re-sign to a multiyear contract.

General manager Dave Littlefield strongly hinted Sunday the Pirates will be looking for talent similar to what they got for star outfielder Brian Giles last season. Starting pitcher Oliver Perez and left fielder Jason Bay have been productive this season.

"If we were to do something, I'd be very much oriented toward finding a position player who could fit around the group of guys we have out there, and probably more oriented toward third (base), first or an outfielder.

"The number (of players) and the quality? That's where you get into negotiations."

About a half-dozen teams are interested in Benson, a 1996 No. 1 draft pick who has struggled with injuries through six mostly disappointing seasons. He had reconstructive elbow surgery in 2001 and missed the second half of last season with a sore shoulder, but is currently tied for the team lead with 18 starts.

Quality starting pitching is the most sought-after commodity at the trade deadline, and Littlefield said the Pirates can't settle for marginal prospects.

"It appears we have some good young pitching, but we do lack some position players," Littlefield said. "We're not looking - if we do anything - toward (Class) A-ball prospects; we'd be more oriented toward low-level service time major leaguers or upper-end minor league players who have upside."