PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates' winter-long search for a second baseman appears to be over.

        The suddenly much-traveled Pokey Reese took a physical Tuesday with the Pirates, who would become his fourth club in six weeks. The Pirates expect to announce his signing on Wednesday or Thursday, as long as the tests come back OK and there are no contract snags.

        Reese, a two-time Gold Glove winner, could inject more speed into the lineup of a team coming off its first 100-loss season since 1985 — especially if he can again resemble the player he was in 1999.

        Reese hit .285 with 37 doubles, 10 home runs and 38 stolen bases that season and won the Gold Glove, an award he repeated in 2000.

        The Pirates tried a variety of second basemen last season, including Pat Meares, Abraham Nunez, Warren Morris and Rob Mackowiak, but none could win the job.

        Reese played five seasons with Cincinnati — the Reds refused to trade him when they acquired Ken Griffey Jr. from Seattle — before he was dealt to Colorado on Dec. 19. Only a day later, he was sent to the Boston Red Sox for catcher Scott Hatteberg.

        But the Red Sox, seeking to avoid paying Reese as much as $5 million in arbitration if they could not reach a multiyear deal, allowed him to become a free agent when they did not tender him a contract.

        Reese turned down a $21 million, four-year offer to stay with the Reds before hitting .224 with nine home runs, 40 RBIs and 25 steals last year. It was a down season for him, but was comparable to the .235 average, seven homers and 45 RBIs by Pittsburgh's second basemen last season.

        Reese has a .250 average in five seasons and once was considered a key to the Reds' future.

        The Pirates have had only one Gold Glove winner at second base since Bill Mazeroski won eight Gold Gloves for them in the 1950s and 1960s. Jose Lind won in 1992, the year his ninth-inning error led to the Pirates losing Game 7 of the NL playoffs to Atlanta.

        Reese would be the second free agent signed by the Pirates this winter. They re-signed right-hander Mike Williams, their closer for much of last season before he was dealt to Houston in late July.

        Reese's acquisition might lead to the Pirates making a move with Meares, who has been severely limited by a 1999 hand injury in two of his three seasons with them. Meares, who hit .211 in 87 games last season, has two years remaining on a $14.5 million, four-year contract.

        Reese made $3.2 million last season with Cincinnati.

Kearns, Davis sign 1-year deals Pirates sign Pokey Reds 2002 schedule

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