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Pirates Have Discussed Capps, Doumit

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Dejan Kovacevic reports that the Pirates have been discussing closer Matt Capps and catcher Ryan Doumit with other teams. He also adds that they've listened on Zach Duke and Paul Maholm, but it's likely been only listening thus far. Kovacevic quotes GM Neal Huntington as saying "it's safe to assume interest" in Duke and Maholm, as many teams in baseball would like to add a durable lefty to their rotation.

Kovacevic suggests that it would be unlike Huntington to move Capps and Doumit with their values both deflated following disappointing 2009 seasons. However, Capps earned $2.425MM this season en route to a 5.80 ERA over 57 appearances, and is arbitration eligible. Both the Rangers and Rays have said to be interested in the right-hander.

Doumit fractured his wrist and missed significant time, which likely played a large part in his offensive woes in 2009. After putting up a 2008 line of .318/.357/.501, he slipped to just .250/.299/414 in 2009. The Mariners and Rangers have both inquired on the switch-hitting catcher who is owed $3.55MM in 2010 and $5.1MM in 2011 before two club options kick in.

When asked about the possibility of non-tendering Capps, Huntington eventually was quoted as saying, "Barring any unforeseen circumstance, we intend to tender our arbitration-eligible players."

Pirates Intensify Pursuit Of Bobby Crosby

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The Pirates are intensifying their pursuit of Bobby Crosby, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Now that the Tigers have signed Adam Everett, there aren't a ton of free agent shortstops out there, and the Pirates appear intent on giving incumbent Ronny Cedeno competition for the starting job.

The Rockies also have interest in Crosby. The former Rookie of the Year hasn't had an OPS above .652 since 2005.

Twitter Rumors: Doumit, Mahay, Wolf, Jenkins

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Collecting some tweets I couldn't quite turn into posts…

  • Four unknown teams are in on Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit, says Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
  • The Nationals have interest in free agent catcher Brad Ausmus, says MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
  • The Red Sox have interest in free agent lefty Ron Mahay, says Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald. The 38-year-old posted a 4.29 ERA, 7.5 K/9, and 3.9 BB/9 in 50.3 innings for the Royals and Twins this year.  Two years ago he was quite a hot commodity on the free agent market.
  • ESPN's Jerry Crasnick says Brett Myers is seeking a two-year deal.  The Rangers and other teams are interested at one year.  Crasnick wrote a few days ago that the Astros are also interested, while Andrew Baggarly named the Giants as a suitor today.
  • Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times shoots down Danny Knobler's rumor that the Pirates have interest in Juan Pierre.  Nonetheless, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro tweets of interest from the Pirates, White Sox, and a third team.
  • ESPN's Jayson Stark says the Yankees want to resolve the Andy Pettitte/Johnny Damon situations before moving on to Hideki Matsui and other starting pitcher options.
  • White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen told Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune that the Sox are not in the market for a pure DH.
  • The Brewers are making a "strong run" at Randy Wolf, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
  • Ruben Amaro Jr.'s comment that "those are guys we will probably count on" implies relievers Chad Durbin and Clay Condrey will be tendered contracts by the Phillies (Andy Martino reporting).
  • Crasnick says Geoff Jenkins wants to make a comeback in 2010 and has been working out at first base and outfield in hopes of landing a bench role.
  • Crasnick says to expect the Cubs to tender a contract to Mike Fontenot on Saturday.
  • Bill Shanks quoting Braves manager Bobby Cox: "clubs are knocking on the door for Kelly Johnson."  I imagine Johnson will be dealt by Saturday.
  • ESPN's Gordon Edes says that while Red Sox owner John Henry is a big fan of Miguel Cabrera from their Marlins days, the Red Sox "don't have the Major League-ready position players Detroit wants in return."
  • Crasnick expects Elmer Dessens to re-sign with the Mets, though the pitcher has talked to the Dodgers and Padres.
  • Yahoo's Steve Henson says the Braves want to move Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez, but not Kenshin Kawakami.
  • Andy Martino of the Philadelphia Inquirer says the Phillies will meet with Chan Ho Park's agent today "and attempt to resolve their differences over Park's value."  The Phils did not offer arbitration to Park, a Type B free agent.  Park craves another shot at starting, which won't happen in Philly.
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Phillies like Brandon Lyon, but aren't "willing to pay the price for him."  Lyon is said to be seeking a multiyear deal.  He is expected to turn down the Tigers' offer of arbitration today.  The Yankees have been named as another suitor.
  • Crasnick says the Astros "have very little money to spend, unless Drayton McLane suddenly has a change of heart."

Pirates Sign Vinnie Chulk

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The Pirates signed righty Vinnie Chulk to a minor league deal, according to a team press release.  Chulk, 31 later this month, tossed 12 innings with the Indians and another 21.6 in Triple A.  The Indians designated him for assignment in May and he cleared waivers.  MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch notes that the Pirates also signed Wilfredo Ledezma to a minor league deal recently.

Tigers, Pirates Eyeing Adam Everett

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Now that the Red Sox filled their shortstop vacancy with Marco Scutaro, the Tigers were the only known remaining suitor for free agent Adam Everett.  Today, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports adds the Pirates to the mix, writing that the Bucs and Tigers are among three clubs with serious interest.  He says Everett is seeking one year and about $3MM.  The defensive whiz earned just $1MM this year with the Tigers.

The Pirates' recent interest in Bobby Crosby and now Everett indicates they'd like someone to challenge Ronny Cedeno as the starting shortstop in 2010.

Zach Duke, Paul Maholm Available?

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Pirates starters Zach Duke and Paul Maholm are available, says Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.  However, Morosi's source says the Bucs would have to be "overwhelmed" to trade either pitcher.  Maholm is owed $11MM over the next two seasons.  Duke is under team control for two more years and is due an arbitration raise on this year's $2.2MM salary.  Morosi sees Duke getting $3-4MM in 2010; I think his 4.06 ERA in 213 innings will fetch him more.

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted this morning that teams are inquiring on Duke, Maholm, Matt Capps, and Ryan Doumit, though GM Neal Huntington has said he's not shopping anyone.  Kovacevic also said that it'd take a "significant return" to pry Duke or Maholm loose.

Pirates Have Money To Make Splash

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Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette informs us that while it may be an unlikely scenario, general manager Neal Huntington does have the payroll flexibility to make a big move at the meetings if he sees value in it for the Pirates. Says Huntington:

"The key word you're going to be hearing from us is value… We could do something big just so that we can feel good about ourselves and show everybody that we did something or that we're spending up to a certain level. But we're not going to do that unless it makes sense and unless there's a real value to the Pittsburgh Pirates."

The Pirates are currently projected to have a $34MM payroll, down significantly from the $49MM they spent on their 40-man roster in 2009. So the "value" that Huntington mentions doesn't necessarily have to mean "inexpensive."

Still, Kovacevic calls any real interest in Matt Holliday, Jason Bay, Rich Harden, or Mike Gonzalez "unlikely," and reminds us that the Pirates free agent contact so far has consisted of Rick Ankiel, Hank Blalock, Justin Duchscherer, Noah Lowry, J.J. Putz, Ron Villone, and Kameron Loe.

Danny Knobler from CBS Sports seems to think the Pirates have some money as well though, as he's heard them linked to Juan Pierre. Knobler reports that the Dodgers would like to acquire Zach Duke or Paul Maholm in any deal, meaning they'd have to eat a significant portion of Pierre's salary. Personally, I'd assume they'd have to include some prospects as well to make the deal make sense for Pittsburgh.

While the Pierre scenario may not entirely make sense for the Buccos on the surface level, it does add to the thought that Pittsburgh may be in line to surprise us at this year's meetings. Any thoughts on an ace that Huntington may have up his sleeve?

Odds & Ends: Pirates, Martinez, Blanton, Putz

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A few links the night before all Hot Stove hell breaks loose…

Odds & Ends: M’s, O’s, Closers, Molina, Willingham

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Let's take a look at some Sunday links:

  • A number of league officials have told the New York Post's Joel Sherman that they expect the Mariners and the Orioles to spend big this offseason.  The M's have already started spending big, inking Chone Figgins earlier this week. Hearing that the Orioles are ready to spend big, however, comes as a surprise.
  • Peter Gammons agrees on the Mariners; he tweets that one executive says we should watch for Seattle to be in on both Jason Bay and John Lackey. The Mariners have money, and as Gammons says, "Jack Z loves to lay low and strike." 
  • We know that there are plenty of capable closers available on the open market, but Tracy Ringolsby of FOX Sports reports that there are a handful available via trade as well.  The Reds are hoping to move Francisco Cordero and the remainder of his hefty contract – two years, $25MM.  San Diego believes that Heath Bell's value is at its absolute zenith and is looking to capitalize.  The Pirates hope to find a new home for Matt Capps, who they labeled as their closer for 2010.
  • Jon Heyman wonders aloud if Bengie Molina is seeking a three-year pact, since the Mets are willing to give him two years and there is no deal in place yet (via Twitter). 
  • Heyman also tweets that the Cubs and Rays are not close on a Milton Bradley-for-Pat Burrell swap.  The possibility of including the Mets and Luis Castillo in a three-way trade is "not helping things."
  • The Mets are interested in Josh Willingham, according to William Ladson of MLB.com (via Twitter).
  • Don't expect the Padres to move Adrian Gonzalez in Indianapolis, writes Corey Brock of MLB.com.  However, if San Diego does make any moves at all, it will likely be via trade.
  • Jon Paul Morosi offers a high-level preview of each team's thoughts going into the Winter Meetings, broken down by National League and American League.
  • A few overseas updates courtesy of Patrick from NPB Tracker: The Hansin Tigers are nearing a deal with Randy Messenger, and have interest in Jason Bulger, should he be removed from the Angels' 40-man roster. Patrick also adds that Nelson Payano is likely to return to MLB-affiliated ball. The lefty last worked with the AA affiliates for Seattle and Atlanta in 2008.
  • Ken Davidoff tweets that once the Yankees non-tender Chien-Ming Wang, the Dodgers will have interest in the right-hander, as Joe Torre and Larry Bowa are both big fans.
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