"Tracyball," as they called it in Los Angeles, is coming to Pittsburgh. And those unwilling or unable to play it, apparently, will not stick around for long.

Some already are gone.

Signs of Jim Tracy's influence on shaping the team in his mold have been evident with many of management's recent comments, and even some of the moves executed this past week at the winter meetings.

Consider that Tracy is no fan of players who strike out too often, then take note that the Pirates acquired excellent contact hitter Sean Casey (1.2 strikeouts per 10 at-bats in his career), dealt Rob Mackowiak (2.5) and are shopping Craig Wilson (3.1) for a possible trade.

Consider that Tracy stresses situational hitting, then take note of Brad Eldred (1 for 15 with 10 strikeouts with a runner on third and less than two outs) already finding out in December he will start next season in Class AAA.

Consider that Tracy prefers to have a divergent relief corps that shows opponents different pitches, styles and arm angles, then take note of sinkerballer Rick White getting dropped and hard-throwing Roberto Hernandez getting signed.

Consider that Tracy places a premium on defense, then take note that just about every new piece acquired or discussed is a glove man.

Consider that, no matter what subject is raised with Tracy in conversation, he somehow ends up talking about the importance of Chris Duffy, the Pirates' projected leadoff man, hitting the ball on the ground much more than in the air.

"Have you seen this kid run from home to first? Is there anyone faster?" Tracy asked again this week. "Well, that doesn't matter if you pop up."

Personable as Tracy is, he makes plenty clear it will be his way or no way at all on all of the above matters and more. That does not mean, he stresses, he will try to make players something they are not. Rather, it appears he will simply seek out players capable of doing what he wants.

"All I ask of the group of players that I will encounter is to be open-minded enough to listen," Tracy said. "Because I feel like I'm beginning in Pittsburgh with a little bit of a track record that there has been some success realized over the past five years. There was a method to the madness in L.A., and you'd be hard pressed to convince me that it doesn't work."

He paused.

"You'd be really hard pressed to convince me."

General manager Dave Littlefield said Tracy's voice has been heard in personnel decisions.

"Ultimately, it's the GM's final call, but we use all of our staff," Littlefield said. "Certainly, the manager, being in the trenches and knowing players from working with them, along with his philosophies, that all comes into play. The manager is involved in the highest level of what we're doing."

One agent confirmed that, saying of the Pirates' moves this week: "The Pirates are fortunate to have a great new manager who has great ideas about composing a team, as well as managing one."

Buried treasure

After the flurry of activity at the winter meetings and the Hernandez signing, the Pirates' payroll is at $19.6 million for the seven major-league players they have under contract. That figure includes money being paid by other teams and buyouts.

The team also reduced the number of arbitration-eligible players to seven. Of those, four are first-time eligible: starter Oliver Perez, catcher Humberto Cota, reliever Ryan Vogelsong and outfielder Jody Gerut. Expect the Pirates to play hardball with all but Perez.

Perez made his first start for Culiacan of the Mexican Pacific League last Sunday and allowed one run on two hits in 2 2/3 innings. He struck out three and walked one. His innings are being limited.

No rest for the weary: After a full regular season and duty in the Arizona Fall League, Eldred will begin playing in Mexico next week for the Mazatlan club.

Count shortstop Jack Wilson among those impressed with the work of Littlefield and his staff this offseason: "This isn't the first time we've had our payroll up at $50 million. It was that way our first couple years at PNC Park. It's just that we're doing more with it now."

Sixty-seven days until pitchers and catchers report.