Pirates Rumors

Rosenthal, Morosi On Betancourt, Doumit, Jackson

By Tim Dierkes | December 2, 2009 at 11:24am CDT

A look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports…

The Cubs and Giants were interested in reliever Rafael Betancourt before the Rockies offered arbitration to him yesterday. The Phillies were named as another suitor. The writers are not sure whether the Cubs and Giants maintain interest now that Betancourt will cost a draft pick (assuming the Type A free agent turns down the Rockies' offer). The Giants would have to surrender their #24 pick, the Cubs their #49. Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News gave the impression yesterday the Giants prefer to keep their first-round pick. As for the Cubs, one source with knowledge of the situation said there's nothing to it at this time.
The Blue Jays have mild interest in Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit, who is guaranteed $9.15MM over the next two years. Doumit was sidelined by wrist surgery and a concussion this year. Looking at the trade market for catchers, the Jays have already inquired on Chris Snyder and Doumit, while Kelly Shoppach is now a Ray.
While the Braves like D'Backs first baseman/left fielder Conor Jackson, Arizona would only trade him for a young starting pitcher. A Jackson trade appears unlikely and the Braves have not expressed interest recently. Jackson seems back on track and should be tendered a contract after a strong showing in the Domincan winter league.

Phillies, Pirates, Astros Eyeing J.J. Putz

By Tim Dierkes | December 2, 2009 at 11:15am CDT

The Phillies, Pirates, and Astros have inquired on free agent reliever J.J. Putz, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. Earlier today, Crasnick named the Rangers as a suitor.

It was a lost season with the Mets for Putz, who pitched only 29.3 innings due to an elbow problem. Back in 2006-07, Putz was one of the game's best relievers, striking out 186 and walking just 26 while compiling a 1.86 ERA. His '06 season led to a three-year, $13.1MM extension with the Mariners. He joined the Mets a year ago as part of a three-way trade.

While Putz would prefer to close this year, he'd be open to an eighth-inning job.

Pirates, Royals Interested In Jamey Wright

By Tim Dierkes | December 1, 2009 at 2:58pm CDT

The Pirates are interested in free agent reliever Jamey Wright, tweets Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. Dutton notes that the Royals remain interested in re-signing him.

Wright, 35 later this month, soaked up 79 bullpen innings with a 4.33 ERA this year. His walk rate was ugly, but unlikely most free agent relievers he posted a strong groundball rate (59.1%). Wright earned $1.4MM for his efforts.

D’Backs Attempting To Trade For A Starter

By Tim Dierkes | December 1, 2009 at 11:40am CDT

The Diamondbacks "are more focused on trades than free agents" in their search for a starting pitcher, according to a source of Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The writers suggest the D'Backs will look for a cheap back-end rotation type, speculating on non-tender candidates Dave Bush, Brian Tallet, and Tim Redding. It sounds like the D'Backs don't want to give up a ton in trade, as they're reluctant to meet the asking price for Edwin Jackson and haven't inquired on Pirates starters Paul Maholm and Zach Duke.

Back on November 12th, we named about 30 potentially available starters, including Tallet and Bush.

Pirates Interested In Duchscherer

By Howard Megdal | November 30, 2009 at 6:15pm CDT

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Pirates are "one of several teams" interested in Justin Duchscherer, who missed all of the 2009 season, first due to hip and elbow surgery, then as a result of clinical depression.

Duchscherer, 32, pitched to a 2.54 ERA in 22 starts with Oakland in 2008. He was described by his agent as "a happier and healthier person", suggesting that he can resume his effectiveness in 2010.

This kind of low-cost, high-reward signing is exactly what teams like the Pirates need to do to contend. It would also be a heartwarming story to see Duchscherer succeed.

Robinzon Diaz Becomes A Free Agent

By Tim Dierkes | November 30, 2009 at 3:04pm CDT

The Pirates designated catcher Robinzon Diaz for assignment on Friday, and now according to a team press release he has cleared waivers and been unconditionally released. The 26-year-old catcher hit .279/.307/.357 in 138 plate appearances for the Pirates this year, catching 283 innings.

The press release also notes that recently-designated players Jeff Karstens and Justin Thomas cleared waivers and have been outrighted to Triple A.

Odds & Ends: Matsui, Cardinals, Arb Offers

By Tim Dierkes | November 30, 2009 at 2:02pm CDT

Links for Monday…

MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan wonders if Bobby Crosby could be a match for the Rangers as a utility infielder.
MLB.com's Mychael Urban has an update on free agent lefty Mark Mulder.
Maury Brown of The Biz of Baseball analyzes Tim Lincecum's possible 2010 salary, and predicts the pitcher might submit $16.8MM against the Giants' $8MM figure.
ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that Hideki Matsui's marketability is not a factor for the Yankees.
Alex Speier of WEEI examines the chances of Roy Halladay remaining a workhorse over the next several seasons.
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch doesn't see geography as a big factor for Matt Holliday. Meanwhile, Bernie Miklasz of the P-D doesn't understand Albert Pujols' reasoning as to why he needs to wait to discuss an extension.
MLB.com's Brian McTaggart asks readers to predict the Astros' arbitration decisions for free agents. Jose Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins are tough calls in that it makes sense but we're not sure if the Astros will. We'll have predictions on all Type A/B free agents later today.
Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel explains why he feels only Felipe Lopez will get an arbitration offer from the Brewers.
MLB.com's Joe Frisaro says the Marlins are leaning against offering arbitration to Type B free agents Kiko Calero and Nick Johnson. Calero might be worth it.
Jon Weisman of Dodgers Thoughts says the Dodgers' arbitration decisions won't necessarily be influenced by the McCourts' divorce.
Staying with this theme, FanGraphs' Dave Cameron looks at the factors that should influence a team's arbitration-offer decision.
Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports look at the market for Miguel Tejada.
Morosi suggests ten teams that should talk to the Tigers about Miguel Cabrera, Curtis Granderson, and Edwin Jackson.
Jacob Jackson of Athletics Nation has a detailed offseason plan for the A's.
Righty Miguel Batista told Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times that he has a few contenders interested in his services.
Notes from NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman: the Orioles are eyeing pitcher Hisanori Takahashi, and Hideki Okajima would like a contract extension (he's under team control through 2012 as an arbitration-eligible player).
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says the fates of Jeff Karstens, Robinzon Diaz, and Justin Thomas will be decided today.
Elmer Dessens doesn't have a contract with the Mets quite yet, writes Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News.

Pirates Sign Wil Ledezma

By Tim Dierkes | November 30, 2009 at 1:07pm CDT

The Pirates signed lefty Wil Ledezma to a minor league deal, according to a team press release. Ledezma, 29 in January, bounced around in the Nationals and Blue Jays organizations this year. He compiled a 3.49 ERA in 38.6 innings at three minor league stops, whiffing over a batter per inning but walking 4.2 per nine innings.

Pirates Notes: Rule 5, Duke, Yates

By Steve Adams | November 29, 2009 at 1:34pm CDT

Dejan Kovacevic has a new column up focusing on a number of Pirates topics:

After liking what they've found in Rule 5 Draft picks Evan Meek and Donnie Veal, the Pirates are actively scouting available players and have identified some potential targets to use their #2 pick on in this year's Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 10. Meek posted a 3.45 ERA out of the 'pen for the Buccos in 2009. And, while Kovacevic points out that Veal's numbers this season were ugly, he recently dominated the Arizona Fall League. Veal posted a 2.14 ERA through 21 innings, allowing only a .221 opponent average, striking out 22 and walking seven.
Last offseason, the Pirates locked up Ryan Doumit, Nate McLouth, and Paul Maholm, but Kovacevic says not to expect any long-term deals this time around. That includes Zach Duke, who will be eligible for free agency after the 2011 season.
Tyler Yates, who underwent Tommy John surgery back in July, is back to playing pain-free long-toss and is discussing a minor league deal to keep him in the Pirates organization.

Pirates Would Like To Bring Mike Gonzalez Back

By Mike Axisa | November 27, 2009 at 12:53pm CDT

John Perrotto tweets that the Pirates would like to bring lefty reliever Mike Gonzalez back to the Steel City, but the problem is that they'll have major competition for his services. This morning we learned that GM Neal Huntington was cleared to spend more by team president Frank Coonelly, though he was not given a hard number.

The 31-year-old Gonzalez spent the first four seasons of his big league career pitching in Pittsburgh, putting up a 2.37 ERA and a 10.6 K/9 during that time. He recently dropped his previous agent and signed on with Scott Boras.

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