PITTSBURGH - The number 13 could turn out to be lucky for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

While 2005 wound up becoming the franchise's 13th consecutive losing season, it also became a season of transition.

Benito Santiago, Daryle Ward, Ty Wiggington, Tike Redman, Josh Fogg and Mark Redman were phased out.

Ryan Doumit, Brad Eldred, Freddy Sanchez, Chris Duffy, Zach Duke and Paul Maholm were phased in.

The Pirates' farm system, rebuilt during the past five years, is beginning to make an impact.

"There's a lot to look forward to in the immediate future here," said Pirates interim manager Pete Mackanin. "I hope I'm around to be a part of it."

If he is, it won't be as manager. Jim Tracy and Ken Macha have the inside track for that job, and whoever gets the position will be free to hire his own coaching staff.

"Whoever gets that job is going to have more to work with than he realizes," said former Pirates coach Rich Donnelly.

The Pirates had a payroll of $38 million this season. CEO Kevin McClatchy says that will increase to nearly $50 million next season.

That fact, coupled with the feeling that 18-game loser Kip Wells, Fogg, Redman, Ryan Vogelsong and Jose Mesa are among veteran players who won't be here next year, makes the Pirates a potential player in the free agent market.

"We should be able to do something to help ourselves," said general manager Dave Littlefield said. "What our priorities will be, we'll determine in the off-season.

"Maybe we have a closer within the organization. Maybe we have a third baseman. We do want another power bat. … Those things will play themselves out."

Mesa had 27 saves this season, but none since Aug. 13. Mike Gonzalez had three saves in September and might be the heir apparent.

Wigginton was sent packing to Class AAA Indianapolis after a slow start, but hit .365 in 22 games since rejoining the Bucs in late August. Sanchez closed the season with a 17-game hitting streak, a .285 average and four homers in two weeks.

Both might contend for the third-base job next year, as might Jose Bautista, the organization's Minor League Player of the Year.

Eldred hit 12 home runs in 187 at-bats with the Pirates, providing needed power late in the year. Duffy hit .341 in 39 games in center field before an injury ended his season prematurely.

"I got a taste of what the pitching is like in the big leagues and this experience will help me," Eldred said.

Eldred plans to play in the Arizona Fall League, followed by winter ball in Mexico.

Doumit, a switch-hitting catcher, hit .255 with six homers in 75 games. His progress defensively - and Eldred's progress offensively - will determine if either or both land a starting job in 2006.

Craig Wilson was limited to 58 games this year because of injuries and still isn't sure where he fits into the mix next year.

"I'll bring all of my gloves to spring training, just in case," he said. "It seems like right field may be my spot, but who knows?

"I've hit 29 homers in a season, Jason Bay hit 32 this year, Eldred may develop. … We could have some pop, but when this team turns the corner, pitching will be leading the way."

Wells, Fogg and Redman combined for 19 wins and 44 losses this year. All might be gone next year as Duke (8-2, 1.85 ERA), Maholm (3-1, 2.18), Oliver Perez (7-5, 5.85), Dave Williams (10-11, 4.41) and Sean Burnett - all left-handers - could comprise the 2006 starting rotation.

"This last month really did seem like an early spring training," rookie outfielder Nate McLouth said. "A lot of new faces are trying to prove themselves."

"It looks like a good mix of young veterans and young newcomers to me," Bay said. "That's a good thing."

A few notes on 2005:

BAY WORTH WATCHING: Jason Bay was the only player in the major leagues to hit .300 with at least 40 doubles, 30 homers, 20 stolen bases, 100 RBI and 100 runs scored.He became the first Pirate ever to post such numbers in one year.

DUKE OF HURL: Zach Duke won 20 games this year, going 12-3 at Indianapolis and 8-2 with the Pirates.

TRIPLE TEAM: The Pirates finished second to San Diego among National League clubs with 38 triples. The Padres hit 39.

BELTIN' BRAD: Brad Eldred became the third player ever to hit at least 10 home runs at two minor league levels and in the major leagues during the same year. He hit 13 at Class AA Altoona, 15 at Class AAA Indianapolis and 12 with the Pirates.Erubiel Durazo and Adam Dunn are the other players to accomplish that feat.

FAN FOLLOWING: Attendance was 1,817,245 for 79 home dates this season - an average of 23,003 per game - and the sixth-highest in club history, second-highest at PNC Park.

PERPLEXING POWER: Daryle Ward hit 12 home runs this season - but only one after mid-June.

STAY PUT: Relief pitcher John Grabow allowed just four of 39 inherited runners to score this season, best such ratio among National League pitchers.

LINEUP LUNACY: The Pirates had 12 different players bat fifth in 2005, 14 bat sixth, 16 bat seventh and 14 bat eighth.

LONGEST-PLAYING PIRATE: Vince Laschied completed his 35th year as the Pirates organist, a position he's held since Three Rivers Stadium opened in 1970.

PRINCE OF PIEROGIES: Sauerkraut Saul was champion of the 2005 Pittsburgh Pierogie Races, finishing with 24 wins. He broke a tie with Jalapeno Hannah on the season's final day.