PITTSBURGH - Outfielder Ben Grieve agreed Monday to a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, who will give the one-time former top Oakland prospect a shot at making their increasingly crowded outfield.

Utilityman Rob Mackowiak also reached agreement on a $1.5 million contract that avoided arbitration and more than quadrupled his $335,000 salary of last season.

The 28-year-old Grieve, four seasons removed from his best career year, would get a $500,000, one-year contract if the Pirates add him to their major league roster and have the chance to make additional $25,000 bonuses for 325 and 350 plate appearances.

General manager Dave Littlefield has been looking for an extra power bat and likes Grieve's proven ability to get on base and drive in runs. Grieve hit .279 with 27 homers and 104 RBIs with Oakland in 2000 but, after three seasons with Tampa Bay, hit .261 with seven homers and 29 RBI in 234 at-bats with Milwaukee last season.

Once considered one of baseball's top young prospects, Grieve has a .361 career on-base percentage.

"He's got some experience, and we have quite a few young guys so he should be a big help," Littlefield said. "In the past he's been very productive, although not as much recently, and he gives us another alternative."

Littlefield has had a good track record of signing affordable yet productive players in past seasons such as Reggie Sanders, Kenny Lofton, Matt Stairs and Jeff Suppan.

"We're pleased to able to add Grieve, but we'd also like to get another bat to help us score some more runs, either through a trade or free agency before the season starts," Littlefield said.

Previously, the Pirates added outfielder Matt Lawton in a trade with Cleveland. Lawton could play him in left field, a move that might push NL Rookie of the Year Jason Bay to center. Craig Wilson and Mackowiak can play right field, and Grieve is also a possibility there. They also still have Tike Redman, their center fielder last season.

Mackowiak was scheduled for an arbitration hearing next month but settled near the midpoint of the $1.8 million he sought and the $1.35 million the Pirates offered. He hit .246 with 17 homers and 75 RBIs last season, when he played in a career-high 155 games last season.

His deal would allow him to make $90,000 in performance bonuses: $25,000 for 125 games started or 560 plate appearances, $30,000 for 130 games started or 580 plate appearances and $35,000 for 135 games started or 600 plate appearances.

The right-handed hitter would be the last of the Pirates' arbitration-eligible players to settle, all without a hearing. The team has gone to arbitration only once in 12 years, losing to shortstop Jack Wilson last winter. Wilson recently agreed to an $8 million, two-year contract.