With the signing of former Cy Young pitcher Bartolo Colon by the Boston Red Sox Sunday, slightly marginal major-league talent has been getting swooped up by various baseball teams.

That doesn't seem to include the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Pirates, after suffering through their 15th consecutive losing season, seem intent on tying the record for futility set by the Philadelphia Phillies (1933-48).

Under a new general manager and manager, the Pirates didn't make a big splash in the offseason. It was more like a drip as they seem intent to build from within, that the status quo from last year is acceptable.

The Pirates added such luminaries as Byung-Hyun Kim ($850,000, 10-8, 6.08 ERA last year) in hopes of catching lightning in a bottle, but what about the likes of T.J. Beam, Elmer Dessens (again), Chris Gomez and Jorge Velandia? (I smell pennant).

Most of the talented free agents are gone, including their high-priced demands. But there were a lot of quality players that could have been a slight upgrade at a good price.

Now, all that's left is the scraps, but there are still a few gems out there.

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Jeff Cirillo. This utility infielder had 13 doubles and 27 RBI in just 193 at-bats, has more experience than Gomez and he played with Arizona in the World Series. That alone makes him better.•

Corey Patterson. This center fielder never fulfilled his promise, but he's still young. His numbers (8 HR, 45 RBI, 26 2B, 37 SB, .269 BA) were better than that turnstile in center field last year.•

Reggie Sanders. Banged up and old (40), sure. But in 73 at-bats last year, he hit. 315 with two homers and 11 RBI, and a fantastic .412 on-base percentage.•

Sammy Sosa. Sure, he's lost a step, but he hit 21 HR, 92 RBI, .252 BA in 412 at-bats after not playing for a year and proving he doesn't need steroids. He's a great story and could help the Pirates.•

Jason Tyner. Want someone with potential? Tyner is 30, but showed signs last year with Minnesota he was finally becoming a full-time major-league player (1 HR, 22 RBI, 8 SB. 286 BA. 331 OBP in limited action).•

Corey Koskie. Old? I think of it as experience (34). In 257 at-bats (see, he's rested), he had 12 HR, 33 RBI and .261 BA.You want pitchers?•

Freddy Garcia. He was 1-5 last year and a 5.90 ERA, but had 50 strikeouts in 58 IP. He was 17-9 in 2006 and racked up 44 wins from 2004-06.•

Kyle Lohse. He was 9-12, 4.62 ERA, but tossed more than 192 innings. He has 4.82 lifetime ERA.•

Akinori Otsuka. With a 2-1 record, 4 SV, 2.51 ERA, a WHIP of 1.08, he was the heir apparent of closer Trevor Hoffman two seasons ago and looked to be a closer in Texas. Has 217 career Ks in 232 IP.•

Jose Mesa. Remember 70 saves in 2004-05 with Pittsburgh. But remember those blown saves? Never mind.Of course, if you really want to take a flier, you still have Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens out there.They'll be cheaper than people think and most definitely would pack PNC Park guaranteed.Unless the 2008 Pirates think they can do better on T.J. Beam Bobblehead Night.