Pirates Rumors

Unsigned Pedro Still Working Hard

By | February 25, 2009 at 7:45pm CDT

MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez writes that free agent pitcher Pedro Martinez looked great Tuesday during a simulated game in the Dominican Republic.

He’s currently gearing up to represent his country during the World Baseball Classic. "Pedro was working really well, he threw the ball like normal and he showed good physical condition," said Dominican team staff member Rafael Mateo.

Pedro is hoping that a strong showing during the WBC will lead to a major league contract. According to a Dominican-based newspaper, the Dodgers, Pirates and Indians have expressed interest in the 37-year-old right-hander, but no offers have been extended.

Adam LaRoche: A Pirate For Life?

By | February 24, 2009 at 9:04pm CDT

As reported by MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch, 29-year-old first baseman Adam LaRoche said Tuesday that he wouldn’t mind sticking with the Pirates until retirement.

"I’m not opposed to playing here for the rest of my career, if it can work it out," LaRoche said. "If they were to approach me, I would take it very seriously. I would take a long look at it to stay here. … Especially with my brother [Andy] being here. I want to play with him as long as I can. And I love the group of guys. I like the staff that we have. My family likes Pittsburgh, and I don’t want to leave that."

GM Neal Huntington said he prefers to shy away from in-season contract negotiations. Even if he was open to it, as Langosch writes, "LaRoche is in line to make $7 million this year, which means the Pirates are probably nearing — if not there already — the point where LaRoche does not financially fit."

A five-year MLB veteran, he hit .270/.341/.500 with 25 home runs and 85 RBI last season. If the Pirates don’t lock him up, LaRoche would make for a fairly attractive in-season trade candidate. He’ll be a free agent after the 2009 season.

Pirates Still Talking To Ohman

By Tim Dierkes | February 24, 2009 at 8:41am CDT

According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates are still talking to Will Ohman’s agent. Kovacevic suggests a trade involving the Pirates’ current top lefty, John Grabow, may be more likely. Grabow will be eligible for free agency after the season and has not been approached about an extension. My opinion: there might not be much of a market for Grabow until midseason.

About a week ago, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick learned that Ohman has offers in hand from the Pirates, Marlins, and Padres. MLB.com’s Corey Brock followed up with the belief that San Diego is a long shot.

Heyman’s Latest: Cabrera, Pudge, Pedro, Halladay

By Steve Adams | February 23, 2009 at 9:33pm CDT

Already linked to this article from Jon Heyman in the Manny piece, but it should have its own post as well, as the second half of it covers completely different material. Let’s take a look…

Orlando Cabrera and the A’s still face a gap in the numbers. The A’s would like to sign him for $2MM-$3MM, but Cabrera is holding out for more. The hit his reputation took based on problems with his former White Sox teammates is unlikely to be helping matters.
Heyman points out that the Dodgers did an excellent job of using Cabrera’s availability to drive down Orlando Hudson’s price tag.
Heyman says Pudge Rodriguez’s reputation also took a hit toward the end of his tenure in Detroit. Could that be playing a factor in the lack of interest toward Pudge? Heyman names the Marlins and Astros as good fits. Pudge will use the WBC as an audition to try to prove he’s better than he was with the Yankees (.580 OPS through 33 games).
Pedro Martinez will also use the WBC as an audition, but other than the Pirates, there’s not much of a market for him. That could change with a solid showing in March, however. The Indians made a run at Pedro early on, and the Dodgers could become a possibility.
Heyman speculates that with Vernon Wells’ health issues and declining production, the stars may aligning for a Roy Halladay trade mid-season. Wells will miss the next month with a hamstring injury.

What’s everyone else think? Is Cabrera being stubborn or are the A’s? Where will Pudge and Pedro end up? Are Halladay’s Toronto days numbered?

Odds & Ends: Marte, Dodgers, Hoffman

By | February 23, 2009 at 2:18pm CDT

A few links on a slow Monday afternoon in the baseball world…

According to MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince, teams will have a chance to claim Andy Marte off waivers over the next few days.
Baseball America’s Matt Eddy has the latest minor league transactions, including the Pirates’ signing of Ruben Gotay.
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle writes about the A’s move toward high school players.
Dale Robertson of the Houston Chronicle talked to Ed Wade and Gerry Hunsicker about this year’s free agent market.
Patrick Newman looks at a couple of amateur Japanese pitchers who are drawing interest from MLB teams.
Sam Miller of the Orange County Register runs down "The 13 Smartest Baseball Moves" of this offseason, with pictures!
The Dodgers are hoping to find a gem among their non-roster camp invitees. MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick has the list, which includes Jeff Weaver, Shawn Estes and Eric Milton.
Trevor Hoffman took out a full-page ad in the San Diego Union-Tribune, thanking fans with a truly heartfelt note.
ESPN.com’s Rob Neyer likes the Garret Anderson signing.
Oh, and for you folks that like to Twitter… add MLB Trade Rumors!

Pirates Exercise Russell’s 2010 Option

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | February 21, 2009 at 10:12am CDT

According to MLB.com’s Jennifer Langosch the Pirates have picked up manager John Russell’s option for 2010. Last year, his first as a major league manager, Russell led the Pirates to a 67-95 record.

Odds and Ends: Pirates, Royals, Gagne

By Tim Dierkes | February 18, 2009 at 12:08pm CDT

Links for Wednesday…

Joe Torre plans to retire as a manager after the 2010 season, learned MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick.
Braves blog Talking Chop talked to ESPN’s Keith Law about the farm system.
Baseball America’s Jim Callis spoke to one assistant GM who believes teams will cut back in the international market, partially because they can do so without a major backlash from fans. Callis also has the ’09 draft order at that link.
Maury Brown of The Biz of Baseball looks at the $69MM+ teams spent on first-round draft picks last year.
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says the Pirates have anywhere from $41.75-$75.15MM tied up in Nate McLouth, Paul Maholm, and Ryan Doumit, all of whom were signed this winter. In a blog post, Kovacevic notes how the McLouth talks did a 180 when Frank Coonelly stepped in.
Alex Speier of WEEI talked to Red Sox execs John Henry and Larry Lucchino about the salary cap idea as well as the team’s offseason.
Aubrey Huff, a free agent after the season, isn’t worried about the future according to Roch Kubatko of MASN.
Chris Forsberg of the Boston Globe relays quotes from Jonathan Papelbon about the long-term deal that did not materialize this winter.
Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star discusses the idea of releasing Mark Teahen and John Buck to sign Orlando Hudson, which some Royals fans are pushing for.
Pitcher Kevin Correia turned down better deals to sign with his hometown Padres, according to MLB.com’s Corey Brock.
Newly signed Brewers reliever Eric Gagne hopes to atone for his 2008 season, says Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

Will Ohman Has Three Offers

By Tim Dierkes | February 17, 2009 at 11:46am CDT

TUESDAY: MLB.com’s Corey Brock talked to a Padres source who considers an Ohman signing a long shot. We learned earlier today that the same goes for the Phillies.

MONDAY: According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick:

Will Ohman, one of the top relievers left on baseball’s free agent market, has major league offers in hand from the Pirates, Marlins and Padres, but plans to continue discussions with three contending teams before making a decision on his destination for 2009, his agent said Monday. The Phillies, Mets and Dodgers have all stayed in touch with Ohman, but their interest has yet to progress beyond the talking stage.

Crasnick doesn’t believe the Pirates, Marlins, or Padres would be willing to go past $1MM on a one-year deal. Joe Beimel and Dennys Reyes also remain unsigned.

Pirates Finish Arbitration Cases

By Tim Dierkes | February 17, 2009 at 11:44am CDT

The Pirates have resolved their six arbitration cases. Here are the details, courtesy of Maury Brown of The Biz of Baseball:

2009 Pirates Players in Salary Arbitration
#	Date	Player Name	Service Time	Position	Agreement
1	1/20/09	Zack Duke	3.094	SP	1/$2.2M
2	1/20/09	John Grabow	5.016	RP	1/$2.2M
3	1/20/09	Adam LaRoche	5.000	1B	1/$7.05M
4	1/20/09	Tyler Yates	4.050	RP	1/$1.3M
5	1/30/09	‡ Paul Maholm	3.037	SP	3/$14.5M
6	2/17/09	‡ Nate McLouth	3.056	OF	3/$15.75M

‡ Settlement reached after player exchanged figures with club

Pirates, McLouth Agree To Extension

By Cork Gaines | February 17, 2009 at 10:24am CDT

10:24am: Troy Renck of the Denver Post has the breakdown:

$2MM in 2009; $4.5MM in 2010; $6.5MM in 2011 with club option 2012 for $10.65MM or $1.25MM buyout. His $1.5MM signing bonus is payable between March 2009 and July 2009. His base salary in 2010 increases by $200K for All Star in 2009; $200K for GoldGlove in 2009; $100K for Silver Slugger in 2009. His base in 2011 increases by $200Kfor All Star in 2010; $200K for Gold Glove in 2010; $100K for Silver Slugger in 2010. His base in 2012 increases by $300K for All Star in 2011; $300K for Gold Glove in 2011; $150K for Silver Slugger in 2011.

9:58am: The AP says McLouth’s deal is worth $15.75MM over three years.

6:49am: According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates have agreed to a three-year contract with Nate McLouth, avoiding arbitration. There is a team option for 2012. No other details are available at this time.

McLouth was eligible for arbitration for the first time this offseason. This deal buys out all three arbitration years and gives the Pirates control of McLouth’s first season of free agency.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

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