CHRIS BOOTCHECK

Some exciting Pirate news to pass along...the team is very close to signing a free agent. Manny Ramirez? Not quite. Mark Teixeira? Nope. Keep guessing.Their target is actually a pitcher: 30-year-old Chris Bootcheck, who's been an on-again, off-again member of the Angels in their Najeh Davenport/Brian St. Pierre/Janne Pesonen role since 2003.His stats: in 2008, a 10.13 ERA in 10 games; for his career, an ERA of 6.04. And the cherry on top, he's had elbow problems! This sounds better and better.But nothing tops this Bootcheck story from Wikipedia: "On May 2, 2006, Bootcheck was hurt while running from the bullpen to the mound during the Angels' brawl with the Oakland Athletics. He was placed on the disabled list with a hamstring injury and missed most of the season."Ladies and gentlemen, your 2009 Pittsburgh Pirates!Send your news, tips, and links to Mondesishouse@gmail.com.