Pirates President Frank Coonelly told Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that manager John Russell will return next year. Russell, who is already under contract for 2010, has led the Pirates to a 113-165 record in his two seasons as team manager. GM Neal Huntington, who is also under contract through next season, has traded away most of the team's veteran talent, so Russell has worked with a constantly-changing group.
Pirates Rumors
Odds And Ends: Reds, Alvarez, Holliday
Some links for Monday morning…
- John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer believes the Reds should be quiet on the free agent market after the season because they have many needs and very little money. And why don't they have enough money? They've spent too much on big contracts already.
- But Scott Miller of CBS Sports says small-market teams can still contend. He points to recent winners such as the Twins, Indians, Rays and Rockies to show that low-budget teams can succeed.
- A year ago this time, Pedro Alvarez was the center of attention as he signed with the Pirates. Now, he's heating up in the minors, but he won't make his MLB debut this year, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
- Erik Manning of FanGraphs says he was wrong to assume the Cards gave up too much to acquire Matt Holliday, who's been on an extended tear since joining his new club.
Pirates DFA Jeff Salazar
According to Jen Langosch at MLB.com (via Twitter), the Pirates have designated outfielder Jeff Salazar for assignment. Salazar, 28, hasn't been able to put it together at the plate this year, managing just one hit in 26 plate appearances for the Bucs.
Odds And Ends: Meche, Hall, Red Sox, Pirates
Time for another round of links…
- Via Twitter, Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Royals told the Yankees they don't want to trade Gil Meche.
- MLB.com's Mark Sheldon hears that the Reds have "some interest" in the recently-DFA'd Bill Hall.
- Jim Callis of Baseball America reports that the Red Sox signed 26th rounder Miles Head for $335k, which is more than double MLB's recommended bonus.
- The Red Sox are also nearing deals with David Renfroe and Madison Younginer, whose could each sign for seven figures.
- Callis reports that the Pirates signed 12th rounder Jeff Inman for $425k. Yet another over-slot signing for the Pirates and now Callis says they've been more aggressive than any other team.
Odds And Ends: Draft, Wagner, Pirates
Some more links as we near the deadline for signing draft picks…
- Jim Callis of Baseball America creates a handy chart to let us know how much money the unsigned draft picks are seeking.
- Callis reports that the Giants signed Brandon Belt for $200k and the Rangers signed Shawn Blackwell for $300k.
- Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Daily News says the Phillies should at least consider making a run at Billy Wagner if he's healthy.
- Rockies manager Jim Tracy tells Karen Price of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that he admires his former club, the Pirates, for boldly trying to acquire the talent to become an NL Central force and remain one for years.
- MLB.com's Doug Miller speaks to Jarrod Washburn and other major leaguers about the effect trades have on players and their families.
- Nats manager Jim Riggleman told Chico Harlan of the Washington Post that the negotiations between the team and Stephen Strasburg are likely to be too complicated for those in uniform to worry about.
Odds & Ends: D’Backs, Hall, Moyer
I can't even begin to describe the hyper-ness of these links:
- Nick Piecoro at the Arizona Republic got word that the Diamondbacks don't plan to decrease payroll from the $73 million they have on the books this year. He gives a nice rundown of what'll be due next season.
- Despite Jamie Moyer being sent to the bullpen before multiple incentives kicked in, Andy Martino at the Philadelphia Inquirer isn't convinced the move was financially motivated.
- Mark Sheldon at MLB.com thinks the Reds should pursue Bill Hall as it's a "no-risk move."
- Doug Davis is aware of the rumors swirling around him being dealt this deadline, but seems to be warm to the idea of pitching for a contender as some postseason experience can help his pending contract, says Steve Gilbert at MLB.com.
- It's appearing more and more that Luis Gonzalez will officially retire and potentially take a spot in the Diamondbacks front office, says Steve Gilbert.
- According to Dejan Kovacevic at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates have made their claim of John Meloan official and also have signed Australian free agent Jarryd Sullivan to a deal.
- Mike Scioscia isn't expecting Kelvim Escobar to return from injury this year, says Rhett Bollinger at MLB.com. Perhaps this accelerates the Angels' search for a starter.
Rays Lose Two Pitchers On Waivers
Marc Lancaster of the Tampa Tribune reports that the Rays lost two pitchers on waivers. The Indians claimed R.J. Swindle and the Pirates claimed John Meloan.
Odds And Ends: Milledge, Tate, Royals
Links for the morning…
- As much as Nyjer Morgan has helped the Nationals, Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that Lastings Milledge has been a complete pro so far with the Pirates.
- MLB.com's Corey Brock hears that the Padres are "making progress" towards signing first rounder Donavan Tate.
- MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reports that the D'Backs are making progress with first rounder Bobby Borchering.
- Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star wonders how much the Royals would improve with a cast of strong fielders.
- We heard on Sunday that Troy Percival was leaning towards retirement. Now, as MLB.com's Bill Chastain reports, Percival says he's done unless something "miraculous" happens.
Rosenthal On Bell, Mets, Padilla, Braves
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears that the Dodgers were on the brink of acquiring Heath Bell before the July 31st trade deadline. The Padres will listen to offers for Bell and Adrian Gonzalez again after the season, but they're under less pressure to deal those players with Jake Peavy's contract off the books. Here are the rest of Rosenthal's rumors:
- The Mets are not considering replacing Omar Minaya with assistant GM John Ricco right now, but we could see Ricco deal with the media more.
- A pair of NL teams, possibly the Dodgers and Brewers, are "kicking the tires" on Vicente Padilla. Teams are more likely to wait for him to clear waivers than strike a deal now, however.
- The Braves offered Casey Kotchman to the Pirates for Adam LaRoche before acquiring LaRoche from the Red Sox.
- The Rays and Rangers have been claiming players off of waivers aggressively.
- Rosenthal notes that the Rockies' revamped 'pen has pitched well so far.
Odds And Ends: Rios, Mets, Pirates, V-Mart
A variety of links to look at this morning…
- The Blue Jays have until 12:30 CST tomorrow to deal Alex Rios, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com.
- Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog considers possible replacements for current Mets GM Omar Minaya.
- Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says the Pirates will have to be something more than an "unmitigated disaster" for Neal Huntington's moves to start looking good, since the GM obtained half the team's roster in recent trades.
- Victor Martinez tells Steve Buckley of the Boston Herald that he's looking forward to his first home game as a member of the Red Sox.
- John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer shows that the Reds' moves impacted players personally and professionally.
- Baseball America's Conor Glassey reports that the Phillies signed third rounder Kyrell Hudson to an over-slot bonus worth about $475k.
