Pirates Rumors

Pirates Rumors: Pearce, Swisher, Nady

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 10, 2009 at 11:22am CDT

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette turned up a few more Pirates rumors:

Though the Pirates would like to sign a right-handed power-hitting outfielder, GM Neal Huntington says Steve Pearce is a "viable option."
It doesn’t look like the talks between the Yankees and Pirates about Xavier Nady and Nick Swisher are going to amount to anything.
The Pirates would like to add a major league starter, but they are more likely to strengthen pitching in the upper levels of the minor leagues.

Heyman On Manny, Lowe, Crede, Redding, Hinske

By Tim Dierkes | January 9, 2009 at 12:18pm CDT

The latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman…

The Giants "look like a major threat" to the Dodgers for Manny Ramirez and are "making a serious run at him." Former teammate J.T. Snow apparently raved about him. Nonetheless Heyman says the Dodgers are "probably still considered the favorite." Heyman lists the Rangers as "intrigued." He believes Ramirez will get three guaranteed years somewhere.
Heyman says Derek Lowe is "quite possibly" in play for the Phillies, though we heard from Ken Rosenthal today that the team denied interest. Heyman also sticks with the Brewers and Angels as outside possibilities despite reports to the contrary. He believes Mets GM Omar Minaya prefers Oliver Perez to Lowe.
The Giants, Twins, and Rangers are in on Joe Crede.
Players said to be in on Freddy Garcia: the Mets, White Sox, and Rangers. We can probably cross off the Mets with their Tim Redding signing.
Heyman believes the Dodgers want to replace Brad Penny with Randy Wolf.
Heyman says the Pirates offered more guaranteed money than the Red Sox to Rocco Baldelli. Dejan Kovacevic had this first in an article published early this morning.
The Red Sox were looking at Eric Hinske but with Baldelli and Mark Kotsay in tow it’s unlikely. A Japanese team has "allegedly shown interest" in Hinske.
Before signing with the Rays for two years and $16MM, Pat Burrell was getting offers in the one-year, $5MM range.

Odds and Ends: Bradley, Roberts, Cruz, Smoltz

By Tim Dierkes | January 9, 2009 at 10:40am CDT

Links for Friday…

David Chase looks at fantasy baseball’s top strikeout pitchers.
The third year of Milton Bradley’s contract turns into a club option if he has serious health problems this year.
Two players expected to attend the Brewers’ open tryout this month: Randall Simon and Mark Bellhorn.
Dave Cameron looks at the premium teams pay for proven closers.
Bobby Valentine comments on the Orioles’ Koji Uehara signing in Dan Connolly’s article. Within that article Connolly suggests the trade market for Brian Roberts may be suffering because of Orlando Hudson’s availability on the free agent market.
The D’Backs wouldn’t be thrilled, but the Yankees could sign Juan Cruz and only surrender a fourth-round pick.
Pirates GM Neal Huntington said the team is looking at some comeback-type free agent outfielders. Dejan Kovacevic guesses that Emil Brown, Craig Monroe, or Jonny Gomes could fit the bill.
The Red Sox designated knuckleballer Charlie Zink for assignment.
J.C. Bradbury believes the Braves were misleading with the public regarding their offer to John Smoltz.

Braves, Orioles Eyeing Kenshin Kawakami

By | January 8, 2009 at 11:14pm CDT

11:14pm: Yahoo’s Tim Brown says the Braves were aggressive on Kawakami even before John Smoltz left, so the Japanese pitcher is in a good position. Brown’s list of Kawakami suitors includes some new clubs. He names the Braves, Cardinals, Red Sox, Twins, Pirates, Orioles, and possibly Yankees.

A Nikkan Sports article about Kawakami (in Japanese) has been making the rounds lately. I asked Patrick Newman about it; apparently it says Kawakami has advanced to final negotiations with the Braves. My guess is that this report jumped the gun.

8:34pm: Steve Melewski of MASN reports that the Orioles are still in the hunt for Japanese pitcher Kenshin Kawakami.

"The O’s remain in the mix, no question," a source told MASN. "They’ve showed a strong pursuit of Kawakami." Baltimore has already signed another Japanese import, Koji Uehara, but are looking for more starting pitching depth. Kawakami, 34, has a career record of 106-62 and a 3.17 ERA in Japan. The O’s extended an offer to him at the end of December, but he’s obviously keeping his options open. The Braves, Twins and Cardinals are also believed to have interest.

Pirates Talk Nady, Swisher With Yankees

By | January 8, 2009 at 7:30pm CDT

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Pirates have had trade talks with the Yankees regarding outfielders Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady.

Kovacevic, however, goes on to say that there is "little cause to expect a deal involving either coming to Pittsburgh," noting that Swisher is due $22MM over the next three years and hit just .219 last season. A Nady deal is even less likely because the Yankees will demand top young talent; and the Pirates should be in full rebuilding mode.

Pirates Still In On Baldelli

By Tim Dierkes | January 7, 2009 at 7:53pm CDT

7:53pm Marc Topkin of the St. Pete Times says Baldelli could be close to signing, saying "there were indications Wednesday that a deal could be completed very soon." It is not clear whether this is based on reading other reports or if he has inside information. Topkin does write that a return to the Rays "doesn’t seem likely" noting that the Rays have very limited funds available after signing Pat Burrell.

1:44pm Dejan Kovacevic talked to a source directly involved in the Rocco Baldelli negotiations who believes the field may be down to the Pirates and two AL teams at this point. The Rays and Reds seem less likely to sign Baldelli given their recent signings. I imagine the Red Sox are one of the remaining AL clubs.

Kovacevic says all of the contracts being discussed are short term and heavy on bonuses.

Odds and Ends: Saito, Teixeira, LaRoche

By Tim Dierkes | January 6, 2009 at 11:37am CDT

Rosenthal’s Latest: Swisher, Nady, Kapler, Zaun

By Tim Dierkes | January 6, 2009 at 8:50am CDT

The latest from Ken Rosenthal.

A recent Ned Colletti-Scott Boras conversation about Manny Ramirez didn’t result in progress. Boras still has his sights on at least $100MM over four years. Rosenthal adds that Manny is "cool to the idea of playing in San Francisco."
Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady are drawing "significant interest." Rosenthal speculates that the Giants, Braves, or Pirates would make sense.
The door is not closed with the Yankees and Andy Pettitte. Pettitte recently rejected the Yanks’ one-year, $10MM offer.
Some Mets people prefer Oliver Perez to Derek Lowe. The Braves have yet to speak to Boras about Lowe, while the Brewers and Phillies have financial concerns about fitting him in.
Trevor Hoffman has a West Coast preference (the Dodgers or maybe a Padres reconciliation) but interest with the Brewers is mutual. Other relievers on the Dodgers’ radar: Juan Cruz, Guillermo Mota, and Dennys Reyes.
Brian Fuentes’ agent had serious talks with the Yankees, but no offer was made. Fuentes would’ve been Mariano Rivera’s set-up man and perhaps taken over upon his retirement.
Rosenthal notes that MLB kicked in a small part of the $10MM owed to Sidney Ponson from their luxury tax pool, which is not uncommon.
If they can afford it, the Rays would like to sign Gabe Kapler.
The Orioles, Red Sox, and A’s are interested in Gregg Zaun.
Perhaps because of the cool market for his services, Orlando Cabrera is willing to play second base. The Yankees did not have interest.
That Gavin Floyd for Brian Roberts rumor "seemingly arose from internal discussions among Orioles officials."

Odds and Ends: Andruw, Marquis, Coonelly

By Tim Dierkes | January 5, 2009 at 10:42am CDT

Links for Monday…

In his first post for RotoAuthority, David Chase looks at players who were said to have lost weight or gained muscle during Spring Training ’08. How did they perform in ’08?
The Red Sox inked infielder Nick Green to a minor league deal.
Murray Chass explains why the New York Times Company’s purchase of a share of the Red Sox was a conflict of interest.
Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik: "We’ve got an offer out right now for a piece of the puzzle, and I’d hope to hear in the next few days."
David Laurila talked to new Mariners exec Tony Blengino. One of many interesting quotes (in reference to the Bill Bavasi regime and the ’07 club): "I thought that it was clear going in that, with all due respect, they overrated their team from the last year."
The Yankees will introduce Mark Teixeira tomorrow. He passed his physical today.
River Ave. Blues and Peter Abraham ask whether the Yankees should consider Andruw Jones. Evan Brunell looks at other possible fits.
The Dodgers talked to the Cubs about Jason Marquis, according to MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick.
Pirates president Frank Coonelly joins Mark Attanasio (Brewers) and Drayton McLane (Astros) in supporting a salary cap.
Jeff Moorad might be aggressive in the draft if he takes over the Padres. Tom Krasovic adds that the Padres have already discussed spending up to $6MM on their #3 pick this June.
Keith Law likes the Angels’ Brian Fuentes signing, and doesn’t think the Indians gave up much for Mark DeRosa.
If the Indians are to add another significant player, they’ll have to get creative with contracts.
RAB and In Mo We Trust discuss Kevin Kernan’s recent suggestion that the Yanks sign Oliver Perez over Andy Pettitte.
A couple of recent Hot Stove Dailies from Jeff Passan: the Braves and A’s.
Athletics Nation asks whether Brian Sabean is "out-GMing" Billy Beane this winter.
Sox Machine on why the Gavin Floyd–Brian Roberts rumor makes no sense.

Odds and Ends: Bonds, Boras, Snell

By Tim Dierkes | January 1, 2009 at 10:06am CDT

Links for Thursday…

MLBTR had over 3,500 posts in 2008. Thanks for reading! In ’08 we added a Facebook page, a mobile site, and weekly chats while also redesigning the main site. It was my first year working full-time on MLBTR.
Barry Bonds had hip surgery with the intent of playing in 2009, according to John Shea.
The Rays re-signed catcher Michel Hernandez to a minor league deal.
Darren Rovell interviewed Scott Boras.
Ian Snell agrees with Jack Wilson – the Pirates need more players.
A discussion of power/speed players over at RotoAuthority.
The River Avenue Blues writers break down the Johnny Damon contract in a post on Peter Abraham’s blog. They argue that he’s been worth 13MM per year so far.
Mike Berardino expects the Marlins to remain quiet for now, but predicts that they’ll find a bargain or two before Spring Training.
The Toronto Star looks ahead towards a potentially tough year for Toronto sports fans, no thanks to the Blue Jays.
The recent merger of Aaron Miles and the Cubs isn’t well-received at FanGraphs.

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