Pirates Rumors

Quick Hits: Pirates, Jimenez, Dodgers

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 31, 2011 at 11:15pm CDT

It's easy to be overwhelmed by all of the action on July 31st, but we've summarized this month's trades by division. Earlier today, Zach Links looked back at the American League (East, Central, West) and the National League (East, Central, West). Here are some more links for Sunday night…

The Pirates explored "huge deals" without coming close to completing them, GM Neal Huntington told MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch (Twitter link).
Ubaldo Jimenez has the right to void the Indians' $8MM team option for 2014 because he was traded, as MLB.com's Jordan Bastian points out (on Twitter). There isn't currently a deadline for the decision.
A lot of teams will likely start the waiver process tomorrow, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter). Teams were allowed to start passing players through waivers last week to clear them by Monday.
Athletics owner Lew Wolff told Bill Shaikin of the LA Times that he wants Frank McCourt to sell the Dodgers. "My hope is that the Dodgers will be sold to a party that will restart this great franchise, and that Frank and his family will benefit from a positive sale," Wolff said. He's the first MLB owner to publicly call on McCourt to stop fighting for his team, as Shaikin notes.

Pirates Designate Michael Crotta For Assignment

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 31, 2011 at 6:04pm CDT

The Pirates announced that they designated Michael Crotta for assignment to create 40-man roster space for newly-acquired outfielder Ryan Ludwick. The 2006 draft pick made his MLB debut in April, but hasn't pitched in the Majors since May.

Crotta, 26, appeared in 15 games for the Pirates this year, posting a 9.28 ERA with 5.9 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9 in 10 2/3 innings. He appeared in 12 minor league games for the Pirates' top two affiliates and has spent considerable time on the disabled list with right elbow inflammation.

NL Central Trades

By Zachary Links | July 31, 2011 at 6:00pm CDT

The month of July proved to be a busy one for the NL Central..

Astros

Acquired center fielder Jordan Schafer, southpaw Double-A starter Brett Oberholtzer, righty Double-A starter Paul Clemens, and righty Triple-A reliever Juan Abreu from the Braves in exchange for Michael Bourn and cash.
Acquired prospects Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Singleton, Josh Zeid, and a player to be named later from the Phillies for Hunter Pence and $2MM.
Acquired right-handed pitchers Henry Sosa and Jason Stoffel from the Giants for Jeff Keppinger.

Brewers

Acquired infielder/outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. from the Nats for Double-A outfielder Erik Komatsu.
Acquired Felipe Lopez from the Rays for cash considerations.
Received cash considerations from the Braves for catcher Wil Nieves.
Acquired Francisco Rodriguez and cash from the Mets for two players to be named later. The Mets will choose the players from a list of five Brewers minor leaguers by a date in September.

Cardinals

Acquired Rafael Furcal from the Dodgers for Alex Castellanos and roughly $2.5MM.
Acquired starter Edwin Jackson, relievers Marc Rzepczynski and Octavio Dotel, outfielder Corey Patterson, and three players to be named later or cash considerations from the Blue Jays for center fielder Colby Rasmus and pitchers Trever Miller, Brian Tallet, and P.J. Walters.

Cubs

Acquired minor leaguer outfielder Abner Abreu and reliever Carlton Smith from the Indians for right fielder Kosuke Fukudome and about $3.9MM.

Pirates

Acquired right fielder Ryan Ludwick from the Padres for a player to be named later.
Acquired Derrek Lee from Baltimore for minor league first baseman Aaron Baker.

Reds

Acquired outfielder Bill Rhinehart and left-hander Chris Manno from the Nationals for Jonny Gomes and cash considerations.

The Pirates and Orioles announced tonight that the Pirates acquired Derrek Lee from Baltimore for minor league first baseman Aaron Baker.

Pirates Acquire Ryan Ludwick

By Tim Dierkes | July 31, 2011 at 3:03pm CDT

The Pirates added another veteran bat today, acquiring right fielder Ryan Ludwick from the Padres for cash or a player to be named later. The player to be named will come from a list of three minor league players, MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports (on Twitter).

Ludwick, a right-handed hitter, could at least fill the role the Pirates envisioned when they signed Matt Diaz in the offseason. The 33-year-old is hitting .238/.301/.373 and has $2.2MM left on his contract. The Bucs added veteran first baseman Derrek Lee yesterday to an offense that ranks 12th in the NL with 3.82 runs scored per game.

Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports broke the story.

Marlins Receiving Calls On Omar Infante

By Tim Dierkes | July 31, 2011 at 1:01pm CDT

1:01pm: The Pirates are interested in many bats right now, tweets Jon Paul Morosi, including Infante. Infante told Joe Frisaro he hopes to remain with the Marlins beyond this year.

10:27am: The Infante rumors have no legs, hears Juan C. Rodriguez.

8:29am: Infante is a popular target, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney, but nothing is close with the Braves and the Marlins are leaning toward keeping him.

7:12am: The Braves and Marlins have had multiple conversations regarding Omar Infante, reports MLB.com's Mark Bowman. Infante's versatility would come in handy given the injuries to Nate McLouth and Jordan Schafer. Infante, 29, played three seasons for the Braves before November's Dan Uggla deal with Florida. He currently profiles as a Type B free agent.

B.J. Upton Likely To Stay Put

By Tim Dierkes | July 31, 2011 at 10:39am CDT

The latest on Rays center fielder B.J. Upton, who is hitting .226/.308/.398 on the season and is owed $1.59MM prior to his last arbitration year in 2012…

Though Upton is expected to stay, the Reds, Pirates, and Indians are kicking the tires, tweets Heyman.
Upton appears likely to stay put, tweets SI's Jon Heyman.

Pirates Acquire Ryan Ludwick

By Tim Dierkes | July 31, 2011 at 1:30am CDT

The Pirates acquired right fielder Ryan Ludwick from the Padres for a player to be named later, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Ludwick, a right-handed hitter, could at least fill the role the Pirates envisioned when they signed Matt Diaz in the offseason.

Ludwick, 33, is hitting .238/.301/.373 and has $2.2MM left on his contract. The Bucs added veteran first baseman Derrek Lee yesterday to an offense that ranks 12th in the NL with 3.82 runs scored per game.

Pirates, Indians In Mix For Ryan Ludwick

By Tim Dierkes | July 31, 2011 at 1:00am CDT

The latest on Padres right fielder Ryan Ludwick, who is hitting .238/.301/.373 and has $2.2MM left on his contract…

The Pirates are back in on Ludwick, tweets Brown. An earlier report had the Indians close but then balking at the Padres' asking price.
The Pirates are in play for Ludwick but he's not their top target, tweets Rob Biertempfel. That might be Jason Kubel, he adds. However, Jon Paul Morosi says there are no serious talks now between the Pirates and Twins about Kubel.
As of last night, the Pirates were still in the mix for Ludwick along with the Indians, tweets Ken Rosenthal. The Pirates are still trying for Ludwick this morning, tweets Yahoo's Tim Brown.

Pirates Acquire Derrek Lee

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 30, 2011 at 11:30pm CDT

There's no question about it at this point – the Pirates are buyers. The Pirates and Orioles announced tonight that the Pirates acquired Derrek Lee from Baltimore for minor league first baseman Aaron Baker.

The 35-year-old Lee (pictured) has a .248/.306/.409 line in 360 plate appearances this year and earns $7.25MM. His play has improved in July, however; he has a .261/.306/.533 line with six homers this month. Pirates first basemen (led by Lyle Overbay) have hit .228/.303/.343 with just eight homers this year, so their interest in Lee's power potential is understandable. The Pirates will pay Lee's remaining $2.3MM, with the Orioles covering bonus clauses.

“He is an experienced, productive right-handed hitter and solid defender who should add to our team on thefield and in the clubhouse,” Pirates GM Neal Huntington said in a statement.

Though his contract expires after the season, Lee doesn't project as a ranked free agent, so he probably won't be tied to draft pick compensation.

Baker, 23, has a .285/.353/.474 line with 15 homers in Class A Bradenton this year. The 2009 draft pick did not crack Baseball America's preseason list of the Pirates' top 30 prospects.

Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun broke the news and MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch, Rob Biertempfel and Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review also contributed to the story. Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.

Good Chance Of Ludwick To Indians

By Tim Dierkes | July 30, 2011 at 8:42pm CDT

8:42pm: The Padres aren't close to completing a deal that would send Ludwick to Cleveland, according to Dan Hayes of the North County Times (on Twitter).

7:16pm: The Indians are in position to acquire Ludwick either later tonight or early tomorrow morning, reports Scott Miller of CSBSports.com (on Twitter).

3:00pm: Yahoo's Tim Brown sees the Ludwick field as the Indians and Pirates, with the Indians more likely.

1:58pm: Talks between the Padres and Indians have some traction, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney, and there appears to be a good chance the two teams will work out a deal for Ludwick.

1:05pm: The price to acquire Padres right fielder Ryan Ludwick won't be too high, tweets Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. He says the Indians are still interested. SI's Jon Heyman considers the Tribe the favorite, as it seems like the Braves and Reds are concentrating on others.

Given Ludwick's .238/.301/.372 line in 416 plate appearances, unloading most of his remaining $2.27MM should be GM Jed Hoyer's primary goal.

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