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Pirates Pursuing Rocco Baldelli

By Tim Dierkes [December 22, 2008 at 11:21pm CST]

Pirates rumors from the tireless Dejan Kovacevic...

Kovacevic says the Pirates are in pursuit of free agent outfielder Rocco Baldelli. The Bucs are serious about him, having spoken to his agents several times. The Reds, Phillies, Red Sox, and Yankees are considered other suitors.
The team's interest in Ty Wigginton has dropped off.
Doug Mientkiewicz remains on the radar, but no offer has been made.
Nothing cooking on the Jack Wilson front; he's likely to remain the Pirates' shortstop.
The Pirates offered slightly more than the $2.6MM Daniel Cabrera signed for with the Nationals. D-Cab wanted to remain in the area. The Pirates may choose not to pursue any other free agent starters.
We knew extension talks with Nate McLouth had fizzled; turns out nothing is close with Paul Maholm either. Pirates president Frank Coonelly described the disconnect at Ryan Doumit's press conference.

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Comments

would be a good pick-up for the Pirates, but he probably wants to win.... I see him signing with Boston for some reason..

Posted by: fearthechant | December 22, 2008 at 11:27 PM

The Red Sox and Yankees are suitors? Seriously?

How come every single player seems to be on their radar? It doesn't take a paid analyst to write a column about that. Any moron could make that prediction.

I'm starting to think that the only reason they mention those two teams in EVERY SINGLE RUMORS is because they think maybe people won't read it if they don't make any mention of them. They're probably right, but wouldn't we all be better off?

Posted by: Ksy92003 | December 22, 2008 at 11:48 PM

If Baldelli truly was misdiagnosed he should be highly coveted. Last year before news of his disease came out I was petitioning for the Yankees to get him. He still has the tools to play a great center field and if his disease can be controlled and isn't as debilitating as the mitocondrial disorder I see no reason why he can't play the majority of a season if he is platooned with someone.

Posted by: yanks09 | December 22, 2008 at 11:53 PM

Ksy92003 I agree completely. But Baldelli to the Yanks makes more sense for them than many of the other names they throw around.

But I think journalists are starting to take the road agents use in baseball, which is to mention the Yankees with everything to drive the price up and bring attention to it. I really cannot remember one free agent or trade rumor that has not involved the Yankees in some capacity this offseason.

Posted by: yanks09 | December 22, 2008 at 11:56 PM

How do you say this guy's name?

Posted by: Stephen Peele | December 23, 2008 at 12:05 AM

The J is silent, and the second syllable in his last name is stressed. I think. And the first C is a ch sound, and second isn't.

Posted by: Tim Dierkes | December 23, 2008 at 12:15 AM

Ay Roccoooo!!

Posted by: BuccoNation | December 23, 2008 at 01:01 AM

Stevey, you wouldn't last a day in my neighborhood... By the way, is it peel or péle? Lol...

Posted by: BuccoNation | December 23, 2008 at 01:03 AM

Nevermind thought you meant Rocco, my mistake!

Posted by: BuccoNation | December 23, 2008 at 01:06 AM

He better be in a Red's uniform by the start of the season. They need some OF bad and he would be a GREAT addition.

Posted by: Noggy | December 23, 2008 at 01:30 AM

Would be a great pickup. I think if they do sign him it would almost guarantee that McCutchen won't make the roster in spring.

Posted by: BucSox | December 23, 2008 at 04:26 AM

PHILLIES? WHERE WOULD WE PUT HIM?pay raul 33 mil to platoon?he would make a great cheerleader w the mohawk and all

Posted by: huey | December 23, 2008 at 04:49 AM

Anyone think that Rocco's going to sign with the Pirates?

Me neither.

Posted by: tolo316 | December 23, 2008 at 07:12 AM

Anything without MT, in it is refreshing. Sure he could sign with the Pirates, if money is good enough. Why Not.

Posted by: Cyyoung | December 23, 2008 at 07:18 AM

The Phillies would have far and away the best offense in the NL if they could get Baldelli. Against lefties they could go Utley-Baldelli-Howard-Werth in the midddle of their order. Sick.

Posted by: UtleyFan | December 23, 2008 at 07:56 AM

"Anyone think that Rocco's going to sign with the Pirates?"

Why wouldn't he? I called it a few weeks ago, I think it'd be a great fit on a one year deal to push McLouth to a corner.

Posted by: CubbyFan23 | December 23, 2008 at 08:41 AM

wa, wa, wa...what did Rocco Baldelli ever do to convince you that he can be anything but a guy who can't stay on the field, can't recover from an injury and can't cut the former worst team in baseball (T.B.)? If he's truelly doesn't have mitochondrial dissorder, then he's a bum who can't stay on the field. Why do the Pirates have to be everyone's bottom feeder? Obviously no one else is offering him a full time job. Only possibly the Reds and Pirates who are desperate as hell because they can't get a real MLB starter to sign there.

Posted by: HeadFirstSlide | December 23, 2008 at 08:56 AM

I hate to see Baldelli put himself back onto another cellar team like the Pirates after being stuck with Tampa on all those bad teams again only to get a few more AB's. He could get more exposure and a ring chance by signing as a platoon OF'er with Philly, or going to yankees or Boston as a 4th OF'er.

Posted by: johns | December 23, 2008 at 09:05 AM

"wa, wa, wa...what did Rocco Baldelli ever do to convince you that he can be anything but a guy who can't stay on the field, can't recover from an injury and can't cut the former worst team in baseball (T.B.)? If he's truelly doesn't have mitochondrial dissorder, then he's a bum who can't stay on the field. Why do the Pirates have to be everyone's bottom feeder? Obviously no one else is offering him a full time job. Only possibly the Reds and Pirates who are desperate as hell because they can't get a real MLB starter to sign there."

Not cut but had his option declined by a team that just went to the World Series who made the decision before they found out he was really alright. The reason he stayed off the field so much was because it was believed too much physical activity could put him in the hospital. The fact that he was out there at all was surprising and speaks volume about him I think.

You're ill informed. Sorry bud.

Posted by: CubbyFan23 | December 23, 2008 at 09:06 AM

"I hate to see Baldelli put himself back onto another cellar team like the Pirates after being stuck with Tampa on all those bad teams again only to get a few more AB's. He could get more exposure and a ring chance by signing as a platoon OF'er with Philly, or going to yankees or Boston as a 4th OF'er."

I wouldn't. I don't think he's worried about a ring quite yet. Signing a one year deal to prove he can cut it over a full season as a starter could then land him a starting gig with a contender for a lot of money next year, whereas going to a contender as a 4th OF proves not much more than we know now.

Posted by: CubbyFan23 | December 23, 2008 at 09:07 AM

Cubby, I like your style...

What's with these comments about Rocco "deserving" to play for a big market team/real contender? What has he done to deserve it? Is he a Jason Bay? Has he put up Jason Bay numbers? No.

I hate to use a former Bucco as my example, but it's a good example. You like to see a Jason Bay get the chance to play in the playoffs and have a chance to truly compete after being stuck here through some pretty bad years.

With Rocco, you'd like to see him succeed on a personal level, with the condition he got blindsided with. But to say he DESERVES to go to a contender is ridiculous. He hasn't done anything yet.

I might be a little biased, but he would be a great fit here. My 2 cents.

Posted by: BuccoNation | December 23, 2008 at 10:11 AM

Rays are still interested also and I love Rocco. What I would like is...

LF Carl Crawford
CF B.J Upton
RF Matt Joyce
DH Impact bat
4th OF Rocco Baldelli

but if he can find somewhere to start, good for him, I would then want Fernando Perez as the 4th OF.

Posted by: RaysFan | December 23, 2008 at 10:14 AM

@headfirst.... terrible post my man... log off.

Posted by: BuccoNation | December 23, 2008 at 10:15 AM

Rocco should absolutely sign with any team willing to give him a starting role. His value would increase dramatically if he can stay healthy for a season and play close to every day (assuming he is successful). The Pirates, Reds, Yankees, Braves, Astros, and many other teams seem to have room for him to start. Unless he (or his agent) believes he is likely to get injured again, then a 1-year deal is in his best interests.

Posted by: mymrbig | December 23, 2008 at 10:17 AM

Pirates, PLEASE get this deal done before he has time to think about how bad the Bucs are.

Posted by: piratefan14 | December 23, 2008 at 11:19 AM

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