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Offseason In Review: Pittsburgh Pirates

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Next up in our Offseason In Review series, the Pirates.  Here’s what I wrote about the team on September 12th.  The changes for 2009:

Additions: Pedro Alvarez, Eric Hinske, Ramon Vazquez, Chris Bootcheck, Donald Veal, Craig Monroe, Andy Phillips, Jeff Salazar, Virgil Vasquez, Jason Jaramillo.  Midseason: Robinzon Diaz, Craig Hansen, Jeff Karstens, Ross Ohlendorf, Andy LaRoche, Brandon Moss, Jose Tabata

Subtractions: Doug Mientkiewicz, Jason Michaels, Luis Rivas, Chris Gomez, Ronny Paulino, Franquelis Osoria, Raul Chavez, T.J. Beam, John Van Benschoten.  Midseason: Jason Bay, Xavier Nady, Jose Bautista, Damaso Marte, Matt Morris

Extensions: Ryan Doumit, Nate McLouth, Paul Maholm

Pirates GM Neal Huntington had two main tasks this winter: test the trade market for his remaining veterans, and sign certain young players to extensions.  Adding free agents was never top priority, and the Bucs sensibly kept those commitments low.  They still could bring in a cheap veteran free agent starting pitcher like Pedro Martinez or Odalis Perez.

Much of Huntington’s veteran purge was accomplished last summer, with the trades of Bay, Nady, and Marte.  He shopped Jack Wilson this winter, but couldn’t find a match.  Hindsight being 20/20, perhaps he should’ve been more flexible in the December dealings with Detroit.  As for LaRoche, it makes sense to wait given his history of slow starts.

With the new extensions, the Pirates can have Maholm and McLouth through 2012 and Doumit through 2013.  The extensions don’t necessarily add trade value in all three cases, so hopefully the Pirates will contend in 2010, ’11, or ’12.

Bottom line: Rather than free agents, the Pirates chose to invest in their own youth this winter.  Now Huntington’s focus will be on maximizing the return for Wilson, LaRoche, and John Grabow.

Cardinals Exploring Lefty Relief Options

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THURSDAY: Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch talks about the Cardinals’ pursuit of a lefty reliever:

Internal support exists for pursuing Beimel, but [GM John] Mozeliak recently denied making contact with Beimel’s agent, Joe Sroba.

Speaking of Beimel, Pirates president Frank Coonelly commented on him during an MLB.com chat yesterday:

He is someone who we have considered this offseason and have had discussions with his representative. To date, Joe has not been receptive to the type of contract we have discussed.

WEDNESDAY: According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Cardinals are "exploring the remaining lefties on the free agent market."  So far this offseason they’ve imported Trever Miller, Royce Ring, Charlie Manning, and Ian Ostlund.  Perhaps they’re attracted to the possibility of a bargain, with three solid southpaws remaining on the market.

Rosenthal notes that Dennys Reyes’ agent Casey Close is telling teams his client is close to a decision.  Furthermore, he won’t be signing with Oakland.  The A’s could move on to Joe Beimel.  Rosenthal adds that the Cardinals are interested in Reyes as well as Will Ohman.

Barry Bonds Rejections

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Yesterday Bob Nightengale of USA Today talked to Barry Bonds’ agent Jeff Borris, learning that Borris will contact all 30 teams in hopes of landing a job for his client.  Borris is not optimistic.  In case it becomes a trend, we’ll use this post to note which teams have rejected the agent’s overtures.

  • The Nationals will pass – manager Manny Acta told Chico Harlan of the Washington Post that "It’s not a match for us" while choking back laughter.
  • Twins GM Bill Smith to the AP: "I would tell you that I don’t think it’s a very good fit for us right now."
  • Reds manager Dusty Baker to John Fay: "I don’t [see] where. He might be better suited for an American League team."
  • Pirates president Frank Coonelly: "We are not interested in inviting Barry to Spring Training."
  • Nick Cafardo hears that the Red Sox won’t pursue Bonds either.
  • Bill Shaikin of the LA Times reports that Angels GM Tony Reagins has no interest in Bonds.

MRI On Pirates Prospect Reveals Inflammation

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6:59pm: Apparently, the Pirates couldn’t wait until Tuesday. Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review found out from Huntington that Tabata had the MRI today and everything looks fine.

“He does have some mild rotator cuff inflammation, but is able to return to activities as (the pain is) tolerated.”

6:11pm: Highly-touted prospect Jose Tabata will have an MRI done on his right shoulder Tuesday after alerting the Pittsburgh Pirates’ medical staff to some recent soreness, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

General manager Neal Huntington told Langosch that the team’s medical staff does not believe there is reason for serious concern. The MRI should help identify to doctors what is causing the outfielder discomfort.

Tabata was the marquee piece in last summer’s trade that sent Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to the New York Yankees. He quickly became one of the Pirates’ top prospects and has already drawn unsolicited praise from manager John Russell this spring.

Tabata, 20, is 0-for-3 with three walks this spring.

Unsigned Pedro Still Working Hard

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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?

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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

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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

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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

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

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