Pirates Making F.O. Moves

Doug Strange's front office career is beginning where his playing career ended. The Pirates promoted the former third baseman to assistant general manager after he spent the past two years as a special assistant to general manager Dave Littlefield.

Strange replaces Roy Smith, who left the organization last month to become the Los Angeles Dodgers' vice president of scouting and player development.

"This is really a great opportunity, and I'm excited about it," Strange said. "I know we've been through a lot of losing over the years, but I really believe we're headed in the right direction. It's exciting to know I'm going to have a chance to play a part in helping this franchise get better."

Strange finished his nine-year playing career in 1998 with the Pirates, hitting just .173 with 14 RBIs in 90 games while being hampered by an elbow injury. He was released in spring training by the Pirates the following year and became an area scout with the Florida Marlins in 2000.

Strange joined the Pirates as a professional scout in 2002, then was promoted to special assistant a year later.

"He has a great combination of experience that should serve him well in his new role," Littlefield said. "He has scouted at the amateur and professional levels. You combine that with his playing experience and the fact he is an intelligent guy who is well educated, and it's obvious he is ready to handle to this job."

Strange also played in the major leagues with Detroit (1989), the Chicago Cubs (1991-92), Texas (1993-94), Seattle (1995-96) and Montreal (1997), hitting .233 with 31 homers and 211 RBIs in 707 games.

"I never aspired to be a front-office type when I was playing," Strange said. "I knew I wanted to stay in the game when my playing career was over, and I got the chance to scout.

"Everything has just pretty much evolved from there, and now I'm in the fortunate position of being in this new role with a really good group of people who are dedicated to making the Pirates a winner."