Reliever Jose Mesa filed for free agency after the Pirates elected to pay a $500,000 buyout rather than exercise a $4 million option. The 39-year-old Mesa had 70 saves in two seasons with Pittsburgh but lost his closer's job late last season after blowing his final three save opportunities. Unless they make a trade during the offseason, the Pirates expect to go into next season with right-hander Salomon Torres (5-5, 2.76 ERA, three saves) and left-hander Mike Gonzalez (1-3, 2.70 ERA, three saves) sharing or competing for the closer's job.