Pirates Rumors

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.

Pirates Kicking The Tires On Ankiel & Blalock

By Mike Axisa | November 27, 2009 at 7:58am CDT

The Pirates are believed to have already made contact with Scott Boras about two of his clients, free agents Rick Ankiel and Hank Blalock, according to Dejan Kovacevic of The Pittsburgh Post Gazette. The team's preference "is for a short-term contract aimed at allowing the player a chance at full-time duty to revive their careers."

With Andrew McCutchen in center and Lastings Milledge serving the default leftfielder, the idea is that late-bloomer Garrett Jones would play either first base or rightfield, depending on what the team does in the offseason. Kovacevic says that management's preference is for Jeff Clement to win the first base job, though bringing in Ankiel would put Jones at first, while bringing in Blalock would put Jones in right.

Kovacevic also adds that GM Neal Huntington has been cleared by team president Frank Coonelly to spend more, although no firm number was given. However, Huntington "expressed no urgency to do so, citing solely baseball reasons." The Pirates started 2009 with a $48.78MM payroll, and Tim had the team's projected 2010 obligation at less than half that in his Offseason Outlook, though that was prior to the Akinori Iwamura deal.

Odds & Ends: Yankees, White Sox, Red Sox

By Howard Megdal | November 23, 2009 at 8:45pm CDT

When you prepare the turkey, don't forget to add these tidbits for flavor…

According to Marc Carig of the Newark Star-Ledger, Yankees GM Brian Cashman will deal with his own free agents before moving to others. "I'll talk to our guys first," Cashman told Carig. "And after I have my conversation with our guys, I'll be full blown into the marketplace." For his part, Johnny Damon wants to return.
White Sox GM Ken Williams slammed his closer, Bobby Jenks, once again for a lack of conditioning. With Jenks set to receive a raise from his 2009 salary of $5.6MM, a trade could be in the offing. Williams isn't exactly raising Jenks' value around the league, however.
The Red Sox have finalized their coaching staff for 2010.
Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com report that Matt Treanor will play winter ball with Toros del Este of the Dominican Republic in an effort to show teams he is ready for 2010.
That deal Ken Griffey Jr. signed with the Mariners could be worth as much as $3.9MM. Seattle also added several scouts.
NPB Tracker profiles possible MLB jumper Hisanori Takahashi.
Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports that the Pirates are looking at the catcher market.
Marty Noble believes the Marlins wouldn't trade Josh Johnson in-division.

Odds & Ends: Halladay, Teahen, Karstens

By Zachary Links | November 21, 2009 at 7:37pm CDT

Some Saturday night links:

MLB.com's Jordan Bastian (via Twitter) says that Roy Halladay's reported unwillingness to stay in Toronto is less than shocking and speculates that his time with the Blue Jays is nearing its end.
Mark Teahen's flexibility could open up some interesting options for the White Sox this winter, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. GM Ken Williams says that he likes Teahen at third base, but wouldn't completely rule out the possibility of moving him to first base or right field.
Chad Jennings of the LoHud Yankees Blog weighed in on the Astros' signing of former Yankees minor league pitcher Jose Valdez. Jennings was surprised not by the signing but by the fact that Houston chose to protect the once-highly touted hurler from the Rule 5 draft.
As mentioned by Jennings, the Pirates DFA'd pitcher Jeff Karstens. Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com characterized the move as "somewhat surprising." The 27-year-old posted an ERA of 5.42 and 1.16 K/BB in 108 IP last season.

Pirates Designate Two For Assignment

By Mike Axisa | November 21, 2009 at 9:44am CDT

Friday was the deadline for teams to set their 40-man roster for next month's Rule 5 Draft, and MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports that the Pirates cleared up two spots for prospects by designating Robinzon Diaz and Justin Thomas for assignment. They also designated Jeff Karstens for assignment yesterday.

Diaz, a 26-year-old catcher, hit .279/.307/.357 in 138 plate appearances for Pittsburgh in 2009. Thomas, a 25-year-old lefty reliever, had a 4.48 ERA in 60.1 innings with Seattle's Triple-A affiliate.

Among the players the Pirates added to the 40-man roster were righthanders Brad Lincoln and Bryan Morris, as well as outfielder Gorkys Hernandez. Lincoln was the 4th overall pick in the 2006 draft, while Morris was acquired in the Manny Ramirez/Jason Bay trade, and Hernandez in last summer's Nate McLouth deal.

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