BRADENTON, Fla. — The Pittsburgh Pirates got a rare firsthand look at their boss on Monday.

Bob Nutting, the West Virginia newspaper magnate who became principal owner of the team last month, addressed the team's players, coaches and staff in a half-hour session at Pirate City.

He stressed the ownership's commitment to winning — something that often has been called into question in the past decade — and a higher level of accountability.

"We wanted to make sure they knew our commitment to winning, how important that is to me and the fans. That was the primary message," Nutting said. "The other thing I wanted to make sure they understood was my commitment for the direction in which the team is moving, as well as my support for the existing management team. It was very important that they hear that directly from me."

Nutting was seldom seen or heard in four years as chairman of the Pirates' board of directors, but he has been visible since assuming control of the team from Kevin McClatchy on Jan. 12.

He has appeared at fan events, spoken frequently to the media and contacted players and other personnel on his own.

Payroll for the coming season will be roughly the same as the $43.4 million that was spent in 2006, a figure that ranked 28th among Major League Baseball's 30 teams, although Nutting has authorized general manager Dave Littlefield to spend up to about $50 million.

Nutting declined to project what might happen with the payroll in the future, but stressed the need to develop players internally.

"The most important thing is to make sure we have that constant process where new talent is coming through," Nutting said. "That's what you see the Oaklands and Minnesotas of baseball doing, and we need it to happen for us."

Nutting sounded optimistic that the Pirates can improve upon their 67-95 record of last season, largely because they went 37-35 in the second half.

"The message today is that our fans are hungry and the organization is just as hungry," he said. "We need to see continued improvement. We need to have patience to stick with the plan. But, really, I think the point where we need to start showing things is right now. I think we have a great opportunity this year."

McClatchy, still the chief executive officer, also spoke to the team Monday. He stressed forgetting about the team's recent past. The Pirates have had 14 consecutive losing seasons, the longest such streak in the four major professional sports.

"I told the players today, 'The past is the past. We can't worry about it. We just have to focus on what's ahead of us,"' McClatchy said. "And I think most people in that room believe that what's ahead of us is pretty positive."

Notes: Outfielder Xavier Nady was tested Monday for possible chronic conditions related to his inflamed intestine. Results are due Tuesday. Nady showed up briefly at Pirate City in full uniform after the tests, but he did not participate in the Pirates' two-hour workout.