Pirates Rumors

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Pedro, Sabathia, Peavy

By Cork Gaines | November 21, 2008 at 1:27pm CDT

A look at what is being written about the hot stove in the Blogosphere…

Fire Brand of the American League looks at the ramifications of the Coco Crisp trade and what could happen if the Red Sox acquire Mark Teixeira and are unable to move Mike Lowell.
Baseball Opinion says the Crisp deal leaves the Royals with a crowded outfield and a depleted bullpen and wonders if Mark Teahen or David DeJesus will be the next to go.
Nationals Pride sees the Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham trade as a good start towards building a team with a core of young veterans that will be in place when the prospects are ready to contribute.
The ’Burgh Blues would like to see the Pirates go after Pedro Martinez, noting his close relationship with Joe Kerrigan and Denny Bautista.
Sox and Pinstripes is worried about a potential signing of A.J. Burnett by the Red Sox and would prefer Derek Lowe.
BaseBlog has a "tale of the tape" comparing C.C. Sabathia’s 2008 season to Johan Santana’s 2007 season.
Goat Riders of the Apocalypse wonders if the Cubs are better off with Jake Peavy and Kosuke Fukudome versus Jason Marquis and a high-priced free agent right fielder.
DC Sports Plus takes a closer look at 79 minor league free agents, focusing on former major leaguers, former top prospects and left-handed relief pitchers.
Padres Revolution offers up a list of the 10 best trades brokered by Kevin Towers.

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

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Sabathia, Yankees, Pirates, Rays

By Cork Gaines | November 14, 2008 at 1:00pm CDT

Let’s take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

MetsBlog feels the reported interest in C.C. Sabathia is overblown. Rather, they see the Mets waiting for Sabathia to sign before making a move of their own for starting pitching.
River Ave. Blues still sees the Yankees pursuing Mark Teixeira or Adam Dunn, even with the acquisition of Nick Swisher.
Where have you gone, Andy Van Slyke speculates on what the Pirates will do this winter while finding humor in this recent quote from the Buccos’ GM: "we’d love to upgrade the offense, upgrade our pitching, and rebuild the bench."
MVN Outsider takes the role of Andrew Friedman in their "Being the GM" series and proposes three moves for the Rays including trading Andy Sonnanstine and Chad Bradford for Andre Ethier.
With the Rays likely to trade pitching this winter, Rays Prospects takes a closer look at how the starting pitchers throughout the organization performed in 2008. Sonnanstine was clearly a better pitcher than Edwin Jackson.
Pinstripes Published has started a series looking at some of the cheaper alternatives that can be found in the free agent market. First up, starting pitchers.
Ump Bump is taking a look at what each team needs this offseason. They have already gone through eight teams including the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs and Phillies.

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

Tigers Want Short-Term Shortstop

By Tim Dierkes | November 6, 2008 at 9:19am CDT

According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers seek a short-term solution at shortstop. The Tigers like the idea of using prospect Cale Iorg in 2010. That means they won’t be signing free agents Orlando Cabrera and Rafael Furcal. The Tigers view the relief market in the way – they like their long-term options (Ryan Perry, for example).

The Tigers have "mild interest" in Khalil Greene, who is signed through 2009. They don’t like his $6.5MM price tag, which might mean Jack Wilson is also too pricey. John McDonald is a more affordable name on the radar (the pitchers certainly wouldn’t mind).

The Tigers have an eye on the Rangers’ catchers, Gerald Laird in particular. It might be tough to make a deal, as the Tigers don’t have pitching to spare.

Odds and Ends: Twins, Big Unit, Rockies

By Tim Dierkes | November 5, 2008 at 1:32pm CDT

Links and tidbits for Wednesday. Remember to check back on this post for updates!

Dave Cameron notes that the Elias rankings screwed over Damaso Marte by making him a Type A. See also: Doug Brocail, Bob Howry, Darren Oliver.
Remember to check out the Previous Entries link at the bottom of the website, as stories get buried pretty quickly in times like these.
Japanese outfielder Saburo Ohmura (link in Japanese) would be fine with a minor league deal.
Roch Kubatko has info on what it might take to trade for Khalil Greene or Jack Wilson.
Pirates president Frank Coonelly confirmed the team’s interest in Junichi Tazawa. For what it’s worth, Coonelly wouldn’t rule out Derek Lowe when asked.
Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times offers his thoughts on the rumor mill.
Official Elias rankings for the AL and NL.
Ballplayers are in for a tax bump under the Obama administration. They’ll manage.
The Twins are looking for righthanded pop.
The D’Backs have just $3-5MM budgeted for Randy Johnson.
The Hanshin Tigers are eyeing Nelson Cruz, Kevin Mench, and Jose Bautista. Only Mench is a free agent of the three.
The Rockies are looking for a lefty reliever, according to Troy Renck and Keith Law. How about Jeremy Affeldt again?
Brewers GM Doug Melvin doesn’t like his C.C. Sabathia offer being called window dressing.

NPB Rumors: Tazawa, Iwase, Iguchi

By Tim Dierkes | November 3, 2008 at 9:21pm CDT

Some Japanese baseball-related rumors, courtesy of Patrick Newman at NPB Tracker:

Seven teams have surfaced in Japanese media reports as suitors for free agent amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa: the Red Sox, Braves, Mariners, Pirates, Tigers, Cubs, and Phillies. David O’Brien of the AJC says the Braves are "legit players" for Tazawa. The Red Sox are seen as the frontrunner, according to Paul Hoynes. Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald agrees that Boston is in the lead, and adds the Marlins to the mix.
Reliever Hitoki Iwase will remain in Japan. Shortstop Tomohiro Nioka is a free agent, but may not necessarily come to MLB.
So Taguchi and Tadahito Iguchi may return to Japan for the ’09 season.
Saburo Ohmura is a 32 centerfielder with an eye on MLB. Newman tells me he profiles as more of a fourth outfielder.

Odds And Ends: Miller, Ngoepe, Moss, Perez, Phillies

By Coley Ward 2 | November 1, 2008 at 2:13pm CDT

Here are some crumbs from the trade rumor loaf:

Justin Miller, who spent the past two seasons working out of the Marlins bullpen, has reached agreement on a Minor League contract with the Giants.
The Pirates signed an 18-year-old shortstop from South Africa, Mpho Ngoepe, a switch-hitting shortstop who made a cameo appearance in the recent Instructional League in Bradenton, Fla.
The Mariners have signed center fielder Steve Moss to a minor league contact. Moss, 24, was a 2002 draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers, taken right out of high school. Last year, he batted .299 for the Long Beach Armada and was, according to his manager, ex-Mariner Steve Yeager, the best center fielder in the league.
Umpbump’s Paul Moro says teams should be wary of Oliver Perez, whose ERA has benefitted from the Mets’ above average defense.
The team that wins the World Series always cashes in. Will the Phillies have more money to spend this offseason as a result of their championship? And if so, will they spend it on Japanese free-agent pitcher Junichi Tazawa, or on free agent Pat Burrell?

Coley Ward writes for Umpbump.com. He can be reached here.

Options Declined: Taguchi, Gordon, Counsell, Embree

By Tim Dierkes | October 31, 2008 at 5:23pm CDT

Alright, time to lump today’s remaining options together in one post.

The Pirates declined Jason Michaels’ $2.6MM option. He could re-sign for less.
The Phillies declined their options on So Taguchi ($1.25MM with a $150K buyout) and Tom Gordon ($4.5MM with a $1MM buyout). The moves may have been Pat Gillick’s last as GM.
The Brewers declined Craig Counsell’s $3.4MM option, paying a $400K buyout.
The Athletics declined Alan Embree’s $3MM option. As a Type B free agent, the A’s could offer him arbitration. Susan Slusser spoke to Embree, who didn’t mind having the option declined.

Pirates May Re-Sign Michaels, Mientkiewicz

By Tim Dierkes | October 16, 2008 at 3:33pm CDT

According to MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch, the Pirates would like to re-sign veteran role players Jason Michaels and Doug Mientkiewicz (Dejan Kovacevic reported this a few weeks ago).

Langosch says Michaels’ $2.6MM option will be declined, but he could re-sign for less to stay on as the team’s fourth outfielder. Michaels, 32, hit .224/.292/.360 in 321 plate appearances this year. There are better ways to spend a million bucks.

Mientkiewicz, 34, hit .277/.374/.379 in 334 plate appearances. He’s a fine defensive first baseman and even pitched in at third. He also provided spark to the Pirates’ clubhouse. Bringing him back makes sense at the right price.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Sabathia, McLouth, Fuentes

By Tim Dierkes | October 6, 2008 at 9:31am CDT

Here’s a look at the latest column from Ken Rosenthal.

Rosenthal puts odds for various teams to sign C.C. Sabathia, with the Yankees, Angels and Red Sox on top.
Rosenthal wonders whether the White Sox will consider trading Jermaine Dye for a starting pitcher, moving Carlos Quentin to right field, and acquiring an athletic center fielder somehow. The goal would be a more athletic club. The Sox will also look to add a second baseman, moving Alexei Ramirez to shortstop. I’m not sure if something as long-term as Orlando Hudson makes sense, though.
The Pirates wouldn’t trade Nate McLouth for Robinson Cano, and won’t trade McLouth at all unless some team overpays.
If the Orioles don’t reach an extension with Brian Roberts, he’ll go on the trading block.
Rosenthal sees Brian Fuentes asking for Brad Lidge-type money, three years and at least $37.5MM. Pretty steep, but still half of K-Rod’s price.
The Rangers "made a big offer" for Zack Greinke in July, and the Braves are also fans. But the Royals will need to be bowled over to move him.

Odds and Ends: Lowe, Redmond, Timlin

By Tim Dierkes | October 3, 2008 at 10:46am CDT

Linkage for Friday…

River Ave. Blues discovered that Mike Mussina’s wife may be a bigger factor than we thought in regard to his retirement decision.
David O’Brien tosses out some names for the Braves to consider: Derek Lowe, Matt Cain, Roy Oswalt, and Josh Willingham. Everyone likes Lowe…Anthony McCarron says the Yankees and Mets should consider him. Those clubs could also enter a bidding war for C.C. Sabathia, says Bob Klapisch. Will C.C.’s postseason record diminish his contract? I don’t think so.
Greg Couch doesn’t want Javier Vazquez pitching for the White Sox again. Maybe Ozzie is right, Vazquez is not a big-game pitcher. But why say that publicly?
Joe Christensen seems certain the Twins will exercise Mike Redmond’s $950K option.
Chris Carpenter’s shoulder injury is unprecedented among pitchers. Do the Cardinals need to add veteran rotation insurance? Speaking of unprecedented procedures…Takashi Saito had platelet-rich plasma injected into his elbow in July.
Joe Starkey thinks the Pirates should…non-tender Adam LaRoche?
Mike Timlin could retire.
Huge E-Ticket Manny Ramirez feature from Bill Simmons, wherein Scott Boras is blamed for his Boston exit. Good read.

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