Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Pirates Rumors

Pirates, Wilson Discussing Extension

By | at

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says the Pirates and Jack Wilson are beginning to discuss a contract extension. Wilson apparently initiated talks this week, indicating a desire to stay with the club beyond next year when his contract could expire.

Wilson is set to make $7.25MM in 2009, with a club option for $8.4MM or a $500K buyout. In this economic climate, Wilson will almost certainly have to accept a salary reduction. During the offseason he was shopped aggressively but no market was found for the 31-year old shortstop.

Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says Wilson contacted them to renegotiate the option-year of his contract in an effort to remain in Pittsburgh. While this is somewhat contrary to Kovacevic report, it's not unreasonable to expect both reports to be true. If staying in Pittsburgh is Wilson prerogative, then renegotiating his club option would buy him more time to get an extension done, and any extension would presumably begin next season in place of the option.

Odds And Ends: Braves, Bernie, Boras

By | at

Links for Saturday…

Pirates Ramp Up Interest In Ohman

By | at

According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates have ramped up their interest in free agent lefty Will Ohman.  The Bucs made an offer Saturday for one year plus an option, and Ohman's agent countered yesterday. Ohman's still looking for a $2MM salary.  Dialogue is ongoing with the Pirates.

Kovacevic names a slew of other teams in on Ohman: the Giants, Dodgers, Marlins, Nationals, and Indians.  He says the Nats and Indians are new to the mix. 

My opinion – it'd be odd to see the Nationals sign Ohman after Joe Beimel, but they could be trying to build up a trade surplus.  The Pirates would have one given the presence of John Grabow.

Rockies Hope To Trade Torrealba, Baker

By | at

Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post writes today about the Rockies desire to trade catcher Yorvit Torrealba and infielder Jeff Baker.

Torrealba was signed in November of '07 after coming close to a deal with the Mets.  The Rockies had reached the World Series with Torrealba behind the dish, and Chris Iannetta had yet to emerge.  Now, though, the Rox would love to move Torrealba and the $4MM owed to him for '09.  Renck says they shopped him hard this winter but came up empty.  The Rockies like Sal Fasano as the backup catcher and don't have much use for Torrealba.

Baker, 27, hit .268/.322/.468 in 333 plate appearances for the Rockies last year, crushing lefties while struggling away from Coors.  Baseball Prospectus likens Baker to former Padre Archi Cianfrocco, circa 1994.  Baker has spent time at first base, second base, third base, left field, and right field in his career.  Yesterday Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports said the Phillies, Astros, and Pirates were interested.  Rosenthal suggested Phillies pitcher Kyle Kendrick as a possible target for the Rockies, but Phils GM Ruben Amaro Jr. doesn't see that as a fair trade.  Renck says the Pirates and Astros have interest in Baker while the Yankees, Braves, and Phillies have a need.  Baker is trying to bounce back from elbow soreness this spring.

Rosenthal On White Sox, Pedro, Baker

By | at

The latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports…

  • The White Sox are still trying to figure out their center field situation, but they are not involved on pricey veterans such as Juan Pierre and Gary Matthews Jr.
  • Fantasy alert: Rosenthal names David Aardsma as the likely leader for the Mariners closer job, with Chad Cordero and Brandon Morrow lingering.
  • The Dodgers "continue to balk at Pedro Martinez's $5MM asking price."
  • Rockies utility man Jeff Baker, who is out of options, is drawing interest from the Phillies, Astros, and Pirates.  Rosenthal suggests recently-demoted Kyle Kendrick as a possible target for Colorado, assuming the Phils can move Geoff Jenkins or Matt Stairs to clear a spot.  Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post says the Yankees are unlikely to acquire Baker.
  • The Blue Jays have been scouting shortstops Chin-Lung Hu, Juan Castro, and others in hopes of finding someone they can stash at Triple A for insurance.
  • Was Willy Taveras a bad move for the Reds?  Rosenthal says rival executives think so.

Pirates Looking For Pitching

By | at

Pirates GM Neal Huntington isn't content with his bullpen, based on comments made to Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  The locks are Matt Capps, John Grabow, and Tyler Yates.  Craig Hansen and Donnie Veal could be lost if they're not kept in the bigs.

Huntington would like to add pitching to the mix, mentioning free agency but qualifying that route as "very unlikely."  The Bucs may prefer to acquire an out of options player as they did with Yates last year.  Here's my partial list – maybe Angel Guzman or one of the Orioles' pitchers would work (my own speculation).  Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette adds that the Pirates are also looking for starting pitching.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Bucs, Jays, Pedro, Pudge, Phils, Twins

By | at

On this date 72 years ago, in what may have been the biggest trade in Negro League history, Josh Gibson and Judy Johnson were traded from the Pittsburgh Crawfords to the Homestead Grays for $25K and two players. Earlier this week, Pudge Rodriguez, one of the greatest catchers of this generation, became the latest big-name free agent to find a home. Let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

  • Pirate Revolution takes a look at some players that could become available for the Pirates in the next two weeks as teams trim their rosters, including Jeff Niemann.
  • The 2012 payroll commitments in the AL East do not sit well with Drunk Jays Fans.
  • MLB Notebook attempts to calculate exactly how much teams should be willing to give Pedro Martinez.
  • Jorge Says No! says the Astros and Pedro are a good match and the recent signing of Pudge is an indication that the Astros are going for it this season.
  • The Ghost of Moonlight Graham says Pudge "fooled" the Astros into giving him $1.5MM.
  • The Fightins try to dispel the myth that Raul Ibanez was a poor defensive addition to the Phillies.
  • Twins Geek takes a look at the Twins incredible shrinking payroll.
  • Fire Brand of the American League says the release of Josh Bard has much bigger implications for the Red Sox than might be evident on the surface.
  • Sully Baseball takes a look at the Cleveland Indians all-time homegrown team versus their all-time acquired team.

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

Odds & Ends: Pudge, A-Rod, Wilson, Hill

By | at

Links for Thursday…

Odds & Ends: Cardinals, Pudge, Gorzelanny, Miller

By | at

Your Wednesday links, with more to come…

Several Teams Interested In Pedro

By | at

SUNDAY, 1:50pm: Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com writes that the Pirates won’t be signing Pedro unless his asking price comes down. They’ve shown interest, contacting his agent, but are unwilling to meet the $5MM-$8MM asking price.

Pittsburgh’s $51MM payroll gives them a bit of flexibility, and signing a veteran starter was one of their offseason priorities. However, Langosch writes that they’re very pleased with the depth of their starting pitching this Spring. Seems like they don’t consider adding Pedro a necessity.

SATURDAY, 8:07pm: The Chicago Tribune’s Phil Rogers writes that Pedro "insists he could have signed a contract long ago but wasn’t ready to commit." He cites a commitment to the World Baseball Classic as the reason he has waited to sign. (Scroll down to Miller’s first note after the main story.)

Pedro added the following: "The major leagues have, unfortunately, become more of a business than something to be proud of."

1:15pm:SI.com’s Jon Heyman reports that several teams have interest in free agent Pedro Martinez. 

The Dodgers have already made it known that they’re "curious," and now the Indians, Pirates and Mets have joined the fun.  Pedro is still seeking between $5MM and $8MM on a one-year deal, but will probably have to settle for an incentive-laden package with a low base salary.  According to his agent, Fern Cuza, Martinez "feels better than his first year with the Mets."

Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top