PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Pirates closer Jose Mesa has apparently softened his stance on being traded.

Mesa, who recently turned 39, previously vowed he would retire if Pittsburgh tried to deal him to another team.

But in a story published in a Pittsburgh newspaper Thursday, Mesa said he would be open to a trade with stipulations - he would have to remain a closer with another team, the team would have to pick up with $4 million option for 2006 and he wants to stay on the East Coast.

"I don't want to go to a team just to help them for one or two months, and then nothing. If I can close and they get my option, and I stay on the East Coast, I've got no problem," Mesa said.

Mesa, one of 19 relievers in major league history with 300 career saves, doesn't have the right to refuse a trade; he would simply refuse to play.

Mesa, however, said he doesn't necessarily want to leave Pittsburgh.

"They've treated me nicely, and they gave me the opportunity to pitch when nobody else would," Mesa said. "They've got a lot of respect for me, and I've got a lot of respect for them. I'd love to stay here."