Bell exits Pirates _ just not officially

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) _ Derek Bell said goodbye to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, even though the Pirates have yet to officially say goodbye to him. <br><br>Bell, whose inflammatory remarks two weeks

Friday, March 29th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) _ Derek Bell said goodbye to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, even though the Pirates have yet to officially say goodbye to him.

Bell, whose inflammatory remarks two weeks ago all but assured his release, packed his bags and hugged several Pirates clubhouse employees Friday before leaving McKechnie Field. He had reported for treatment on a groin injury that has sidelined him since March 18.

Bell's exit came two days before the Pirates break camp for Monday's season opener in New York, and shortly after he discussed his status with general manager Dave Littlefield.

Littlefield said the Pirates made no roster move or trade Friday involving Bell. However, Bell must pass through waivers _ a process that takes 48 hours _ before he can be released.

Regardless of when it happens, Bell has been all but gone from the Pirates for days. Neither Littlefield nor manager Lloyd McClendon has mentioned Bell recently in any discussion about the right field job that will be shared by Armando Rios and Craig Wilson.

When a Pirates publicist saw Bell leaving the clubhouse, he asked him if he had any message to pass on. Bell said only, ``I got onto my yacht and rode off into the sunset.''

Bell was living this spring on a luxury boat that was anchored near downtown Bradenton, just as he lived on a boat while playing for the Mets several years ago.

Bell's departure is likely to be announced Saturday when Littlefield and McClendon finish making the final roster cuts. They are delaying the cutdown until the last day because of minor injuries to third baseman Aramis Ramirez, second baseman Pokey Reese, outfielder Chad Hermansen, and reliever Mike Fetters.

The Pirates must set their 25-man roster by Saturday night.

``We weren't planning to wait until the 11th hour, but we've got to keep our options open,'' Littlefield said. ``Because of the things that happened at the end (of camp), we can't finalize our roster as early as we would like.''

Bell has this season remaining on a $9.75 million, two-year contract given him 16 months ago by former general manager Cam Bonifay _ a deal that may go down as one of the worst in recent years. The contract contributed to Bonifay's firing in June, during the Pirates' first 100-loss season in 16 years.

Bell's contract is one of two big-money deals the Pirates are expected to shed this weekend. Infielder Pat Meares, who has two years left on a $15 million contract, is also likely to be let go, unless the Reese or Ramirez injuries are more serious than the Pirates suspect.

Bell's future in Pittsburgh already was in doubt after he hit only .173 with five homers and 13 RBIs last season and quickly became one of the most unpopular players in team history.

But Bell all but assured himself of not being on the team when he threatened in mid-March to go into ``Operation Shutdown'' if he wasn't handed the right fielder's job.

``Nobody told me I was in competition,'' Bell said. ``If there is competition, somebody better let me know. If there is competition, they better eliminate me out of the race and go ahead and do what they're going to do with me. I ain't never hit in spring training and I never will.

``If it ain't settled with me out there, then they can trade me. I ain't going out there to hurt myself in spring training battling for a job. If it is (a competition), then I'm going into 'Operation Shutdown.' Tell them exactly what I said. I haven't competed for a job since 1991.''

Even before his ill-timed remarks, which clearly agitated Pirates fans, Bell had done little to play himself into the right field race. He hit .148 with only four hits and seven strikeouts in 27 at-bats this spring.