Pirates Rumors

Pirates Could Trade Doumit

By Luke Adams 2 | November 12, 2009 at 9:59pm CDT

The latest update from Ken Rosenthal's and Jon Paul Morosi's blog at FOX Sports indicates that the Pittsburgh Pirates are willing to trade Ryan Doumit.

Rosenthal and Morosi hear that multiple teams asked about Doumit's availability at this week's GM meetings, and that the Pirates "would not hesitate" to move him for the right package.

The 28-year-old struggled through an injury-plagued 2009 campaign, posting a .250/.299/.414 line in only 75 games. He's just one year removed, however, from a .318/.357/.501 season in which he played almost exclusively behind the plate. His ability to play multiple positions (including catcher), combined with his power, could make him an attractive option to a handful of teams. The FOX report names the Giants, Mariners, and Rays as good fits, though it doesn't confirm that any of the three teams have expressed interest.

Odds & Ends: Astros, Schmidt, Callaspo

By Luke Adams 2 | November 12, 2009 at 6:31pm CDT

A few Thursday evening links to browse through….

MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports that the Houston Astros will decrease their spending in 2010, after the team's payroll exceeded $100MM the first time in 2009.
Filing for free agency may have just been a formality for Jason Schmidt, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. The 36-year-old righty looks headed for retirement.
Dick Kaegel of MLB.com hasn't heard anything that substantiates rumors of an Alberto Callaspo–A.J. Ellis swap between the Royals and Dodgers.
Evan Brunell of The Hardball Times is "horrified" that the Phillies are considering Placido Polanco for their third base opening.
Jenifer Langosch at MLB.com fields Pirates-related questions from readers. Most of them react to Pittsburgh's recent acquisition of Akinori Iwamura.

Giants, Pirates Interested In Igarashi

By Luke Adams 2 | November 11, 2009 at 9:27pm CDT

The San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates are among the teams interested in Japanese reliever Ryota Igarashi, according to Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker.

Giants GM Brian Sabean says that while Igarashi isn't their main priority, he's someone they're "looking into." Meanwhile, Pittsburgh GM Neil Huntington says that acquiring Akinori Iwamura was a factor in their interest in Igarashi: "In acquiring Iwamura, we opened the door to getting Japanese players. We gave up a middle reliever to get Iwamura, so he [Igarashi] is a player we have interest in."

Igarashi is represented by Arn Tellem and the Wasserman Media Group, which Tim profiled earlier today.

Click here for more information on the 30-year-old reliever.

Odds & Ends: Smoltz, Holliday, Varitek, Tejada

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 10, 2009 at 3:12pm CDT

Let's round up a few more links in a busy day of rumors….

John Smoltz wants to pitch next year, according to this tweet from ESPN.com's Peter Gammons.
The Mets will ask the Blue Jays about the price for Roy Halladay, as they did this summer, according to Newsday's Ken Davidoff.
As Chad Jennings of the Journal News reports, Andy Pettitte isn't likely to return to the Astros.
We knew Matt Capps could be a trade chip for the Pittsburgh Pirates this offseason. According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates offered Capps to the Milwaukee Brewers for J.J. Hardy.
Many expect Matt Holliday to end up in New York in 2010, but both the Mets and Yankees are downplaying their interest in the outfielder, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
Sherman also writes that if Jason Varitek doesn't exercise his player option, the Mets could be interested in the 37-year-old.
MLB.com's Mychael Urban agrees with Tim: Miguel Tejada fits in Oakland.
Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star notes (via Twitter) that the Royals' payroll reached $82MM this past season.

Pirates Designate Three For Assignment

By Mike Axisa | November 6, 2009 at 5:30pm CDT

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports that the Pirates designated three players for assignment today: righthanders Virgil Vasquez and Eric Hacker, and catcher Steve Lerud. All three were sent to Double-A Altoona.

Vasquez, 27, had two stints with the Pirates in 2009, pitching to a 5.84 ERA in 44.2 IP. The 26-year-old Hacker was acquired from the Yankees in May, and allowed two runs in three innings this year, his Major League debut. Lerud, 24, hit just .240/.339/.336 in Double-A this season, though Baseball America ranked him the club's 21st best prospect coming into 2009.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Dodgers, Red Sox, Iwamura, Matsui

By Cork Gaines | November 6, 2009 at 1:09pm CDT

On this date 33 years ago, Bill Campbell became one of the first players to sign a contract with a new team under baseball's new free agency system. After saving 20 games with the Twins in '76, Campbell signed a four-year, $1MM deal with the Red Sox. In his first season in Boston, he would save 31 games and make his only All-Star appearance. As we enter the 34th Hot Stove season, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

MLB Notebook suggests Ben Sheets or Erik Bedard for the Dodgers over Vicente Padilla.
Around the Majors breaks down why Jeremy Hermida is a good pick-up for the Red Sox.
Fire Brand of the American League explores what it will cost the Red Sox to sign Josh Beckett to an extension.
Where Have You Gone Andy Van Slyke? likes what Akinori Iwamura brings to the Pirates both on the field and off.
Raise the Jolly Roger wonders if Iwamura is worth the cost-controlled Jesse Chavez.
Baseball Daily Digest says that the Iwamura acquisition is the Pirates latest move into the international market.
Beyond the Boxscore feels the Pirates got a steal, noting that Iwamura is worth $7.5MM more than his $4.85MM salary
Twins Geek laments the near-acquisition of Iwamura by the Twins.
Mets Fans Forever hopes the Mets pass on Hideki Matsui.
Crawfish Boxes takes a look back at every move the Astros made before and during the '09 season.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.

Iwamura Interested In Exploring Long-Term Deal

By Mike Axisa | November 5, 2009 at 10:04am CDT

Just two days after being acquired from Tampa Bay, Akinori Iwamura said he's "interested" in exploring a long-term deal with the Pirates during a conference call, according to Dejan Kovacevic of The Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

"I'm definitely interested in the long term, but I first have to do what I can do. We'll see what happens. Hopefully, we can go to the playoffs next season."

You have to love the optimism.

Yesterday we learned that GM Neal Huntington "has interest in exploring an extension" with his new second baseman at some point, so the first obstacle of getting everyone on-board appears to have been cleared.

Iwamura also indicated during the call that his knee feels good, but is not yet at 100%. He expects to be ready for next year.

Odds & Ends: Lilly, Iwamura, Beckett, Marlins, Dunn, Cubs

By Mike Axisa | November 4, 2009 at 4:12pm CDT

Here's some links to check out while waiting for what might be the final start in the great careers of Andy Pettitte and Pedro Martinez…

Ted Lilly had arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder today, and the Cubs expect to have him back in their rotation "within the month of April," according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat. Might the Cubbies look for a little extra rotation insurance this offseason?
MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch mentions that the Pirates "began to show heavy interest" in Akinori Iwamura back in September. GM Neal Huntington confirmed that they had several scouts watch Aki after he came back from his knee injury.
WEEI.com's Rob Bradford mentions that Josh Beckett "isn’t likely to take a hometown discount" to stay with the Red Sox. Yesterday we learned that the two sides plan to meet in the coming weeks to discuss a contract extension.
MLB.com's Joe Frisaro answers some hot stove related questions in his mailbag today. He thinks the Marlins will sign Josh Johnson to an extension this winter, and that they may explore trade possibilites for reliever Renyel Pinto.
In response to some weekend speculation that Adam Dunn could be a fit in St. Louis if Matt Holliday leaves as a free agent, ESPN's Keith Law says "just doesn't make a lot of sense for the Cardinals to consider it," noting that they'd be looking at a big drop-off by sticking Dunn in left field.
The Cub Reporter looks at what might happen on Chicago's north side in the coming weeks.

Pirates Talk: Iwamura, Ankiel, Wilson

By Tim Dierkes | November 4, 2009 at 10:57am CDT

As usual, Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has the latest on the Pirates…

The Akinori Iwamura addition does not necessarily mean more significant moves are coming. The Pirates are comfortable with their internal options.
The Pirates intend to inquire on Rick Ankiel when free agency begins. Moreso than Chris Bootcheck, perhaps this is a sign that the team is not letting bad blood linger with Scott Boras from the Pedro Alvarez situation.
Kovacevic says Ronny Cedeno is not a lock at shorstop, and there is at least some mutual interest in bringing Jack Wilson back. First, the Mariners would have to buy out Wilson's $8.4MM club option.
In another article, Kovacevic discusses the team's out-of-character acquisition of Iwamura. Kovacevic calls it Neal Huntington's "first major transaction prioritizing the present above the future," since Iwamura is under relatively pricey and under control for one season while Jesse Chavez is cheap and under team control through 2014. Iwamura is now the Pirates' highest-paid player. Huntington has interest in exploring an extension with him at some point.
On a related note, Dave Cameron of FanGraphs explains that "just because a team won’t be contending in 2010 doesn’t mean they should avoid investing in the 2010 product."
An article at Beyond the Boxscore explains that the Pirates came out a winner on the Iwamura-Chavez deal, but the Rays had little leverage.

Rays Deal Iwamura To Pirates For Chavez

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 3, 2009 at 6:15pm CDT

6:15pm: The deal is official, as per a press release by the Pirates. The deal is Chavez for Iwamura straight-up.

4:34pm: ESPN's Buster Olney tells us the Rays will receive reliever Jesse Chavez in return. Chavez, 26, posted a 4.01 ERA in 67.3 innings this year as a rookie, with a 6.3 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9. He throws hard – his average fastball was 94.5 mph. Chavez is under team control through 2014.

Kovacevic believes the Pirates "will probably get another player in the Iwamura deal." He notes that Iwamura would be the Pirates' highest-paid player.

3:35pm: Topkin says Iwamura is headed to the Pirates, and the deal will be announced tonight. MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch does not believe the Bucs will surrender an established player. I'm a bit surprised they're willing to take Iwamura on at that salary, not that he's bad value.

3:04pm: Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tweets that he's hearing the Pirates are part of the Iwamura trade talks. MLB.com's Joe Frisaro believes the Marlins would have interest, but not if they had to assume Iwamura's entire contract.

2:41pm: Roger Mooney of the Bradenton Herald believes Iwamura is headed to an NL club.

12:45pm: Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times hears that the Rays are on the verge of trading Akinori Iwamura. Topkin's source, who's not with the Rays, says the team close to acquiring Iwamura is not the Dodgers or Cubs.

The Rays have until one day after the end of the World Series to pick up Iwamura's $4.85MM option or buy him out for $550K. The Rays don't need Iwamura thanks to Ben Zobrist's emergence, but it's not surprising that other teams have interest in the Japanese infielder. The 30-year-old has a career line of .281/.354/.393 and he plays a solid second base, according to UZR/150.

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