Tony Armas, Jr. is the only free agent with whom the Pirates are known to be communicating at this stage, and there was some industry speculation yesterday that a deal might be at hand. But neither the team nor Armas' agent, Diego Bentz, could confirm that. Armas, 28, was 9-12 with a 5.03 ERA in 30 starts for the Washington Nationals last season and made $2.1 million.