BRADENTON, Fla. - Chris Stynes knows his limitations and he thinks he can use that knowledge to his advantage this season with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Stynes hit 10 of his 11 home runs last season at hitter-friendly Coors Field. He's trading that cozy home environment for PNC Park, which can be a graveyard for right-handed hitters because of its vast left field.

But the 31-year-old third baseman thinks his new ballpark can only improve his game.

"Generally speaking, I've done better in some of the bigger stadiums," Stynes said. "Playing in bigger stadium stops me from trying to hit home runs, which is not my game. I just try to spray the ball around and drive in as many runs as I can."

The Pirates coveted Stynes because they were looking for an affordable third baseman after trading Aramis Ramirez to the Chicago Cubs in July and releasing Jose Hernandez at the end of the 2003 season. They signed Stynes on Dec. 23, giving him a one-year, $750,000 contract.

"With the ingredients he brings to our team relative to the different people out there we could acquire, we thought he was the best fit," Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield said.

Stynes had his best major-league season last year with the Colorado Rockies. He batted .255 and drove in a career-high 73 runs. He also set career bests in doubles (31), walks (48) and games played (138).

The Pirates are looking for similar type of production from Stynes this season. That would help make up for the loss of Ramirez, who has driven in 100 runs in two of the previous three seasons.

One concern is that Stynes batted .291 with 10 homers and 45 RBI at Coors Field last year and .281 with one homer and 28 RBI on the road.

"The ball does fly there, but I only hit 11 home runs for the year," Stynes said. "It wasn't so blown up that I hit 30 at Coors. I don't think that will be a problem in Pittsburgh. PNC is a nice, big park and that's great. It's a much better atmosphere for me to hit in than in a smaller park, where I might be tempted to hit more home runs."

With the Pirates, Stynes is happy for the chance to contribute, but he's also realistic about his abilities.

"I'm not very flashy and I don't do things that are going to be leave people awe-struck," Stynes said. "I do the basics and try to help the team win."

Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon said Stynes' assets aren't simply measured by statistics.

"He's a professional and he shows up every day to beat you," McClendon said. "He's the type of guy who makes other guys around him a little better. I think he'll be an outstanding guy to have in the locker room."