According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pittsburgh Pirates had free agent outfielder Rick Ankiel pegged as their top target among position players, but it may not be a mutual feeling if both parties cannot come to an agreement regarding playing time.

Ankiel’s agent, Scott Boras, is selling his client as an everyday player, but the Pirates are not promising a starting position.  One reason the Pirates may not be able to commit is Ankie’s declining statistics between 2009 and 2008.

In 2009 Ankiel he hit 11 home runs, drove in 38 RBIs and hit .231.  In 2008, Ankiel hit 25 home runs, drove in 71 RBIs and hit .264.  Ankie played in 120 games in 2008 and 122 games in 2009.  You can see Ankiel’s contract history and statistics here.