ORLANDO - Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Dave Littlefield said he was "cautiously optimistic" that he was not going to leave the baseball winter meetings empty-handed this year. "Management has given me the green light to be more aggressive in my pursuit of hotel linens and personal grooming items," said Littlefield. "I plan to take full advantage of that authorization." The Baseball Winter Meetings are being held at Orlando's world-famous Dolphin Hotel, a renowned resort right in the heart of Disney property. Littlefield said he would spend every waking minute of his two-night package at the Dolphin working to obtain the kind of amenities the Pirate front office needs to compete with other organizations. "I'm hoping to leave with some pens, tablets, four pillows, several glasses, and towels. Lots and lots of towels," he said.
Asked if there was anything specific he was looking to obtain, the Bucco GM didn't hesitate. "What we really need is one of those little coffee pots that make two cups of coffee," he said, adding, "I should be able to get one of those."
Pirate owner Kevin McClatchy praised Littlefield for his ability to identify a need, and then go out and fill it. "Dave has said for months that our clubhouse needs an ice bucket," said McClatchy. "I am confident Dave is not going to come back to Pittsburgh without that ice bucket." Littlefield said the small-market size of the Pirates franchise doesn't give him the kind of financial flexibility that would allow him to book a room in the hotel for the duration of the meetings, so he would spend most of the time living out of his car. "The driver's seat reclines, so I can get a restful sleep," he said.
