The Pirates are one of six teams to have contacted free-agent starter Matt Clement, a Butler native returning from shoulder surgery, but it is far from certain they will be a serious bidder. Toronto, San Diego, Cleveland, Arizona and Colorado also have contacted Clement's agent Barry Axelrod, with the Blue Jays apparently stressing Clement as a priority. All those teams will have higher payrolls than the Pirates in 2008. It is likely that Clement will receive one-year offers, typical for pitchers fresh off surgery and that he will not come close to his most recent salary of $6 million. Clement, 33, last pitched in June 2006 for Boston. He had surgery to repair three tears in his right shoulder that September. It was not until two months ago that he retook the mound for simulated games and in the Florida Instructional League. Axelrod has assured teams Clement is ready to pitch immediately.