Pirates Rumors

Brown’s Latest: Fuentes, Hoffman, Wilson, Aurilia

By Tim Dierkes | November 26, 2008 at 7:13pm CDT

Here’s a look at the latest from Yahoo’s Tim Brown.

The Mets kicked around the idea internally of signing both Brian Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman. The eighth inning would be a tough sell for either pitcher though.
Brown says that if the Angels fail to sign Mark Teixeira they will try to sign C.C. Sabathia as well as a closer like Fuentes.
The Dodgers want the Pirates to eat "a huge chunk" of the $7.85MM Jack Wilson has coming.
The Giants and Dodgers have shown interest in Rich Aurilia.

Odds and Ends: Kawakami, Griffey, Greinke

By Tim Dierkes | November 25, 2008 at 1:05pm CDT

Links for Tuesday…

The weekly chat has been moved to Wednesday at 2pm CST this time.
I’ll be on Seth Stohs’ radio show tonight around 8pm CST.
From NPB Tracker: Kenshin Kawakami has switched to Dan Evans as his agent, while Koji Uehara wants a rotation spot and multiple years.
Ken Griffey Jr.’s agent, Brian Goldberg, has been in contact with nine teams (six AL, three NL). The Mariners were one of the AL teams.
It’s been over a decade since the White Sox signed a free agent from another team for more than $20MM.
Justin Morneau would like the Twins to add one more bat.
East Windup Chronicle has scouting reports on Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel.
Things are quiet with the Dodgers – no recent talks for Manny Ramirez, "no real movement" on C.C. Sabathia.
Rany Jazayerli questions the Royals’ nonchalance toward signing Zack Greinke.
Nothing is close with the Tigers and Joe Beimel, and the team will not make an offer to Junichi Tazawa (partially to preserve their relationships in Japan).
The Brewers signed Jason Bourgeois to a minor league deal. Bourgeois, 27 in January, hit .286/.335/.404 in Triple A this year.
Quietly, the Indians signed reliever Greg Aquino. He pitched well in Triple A this year but missed time with a hamstring strain.

Pirates Sign Patel, Singh

By Tim Dierkes | November 24, 2008 at 5:14pm CDT

5:14pm: It’s official – the Pirates signed Patel and Singh.

3:39pm: Pirates GM Neal Huntington would not confirm the report when speaking to MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch, but said the Pirates are very interested in signing the two pitchers.

1:30pm: Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker passes along a report from Yahoo! Japan: the Pirates signed Indian pitchers Dinesh Patel and Rinku Singh to minor league deals. Patel and Singh were finalists in the Million Dollar Arm contest in India.

Tigers Interested In Jack Wilson

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 22, 2008 at 11:10am CDT

Ken Rosethal just updated his column to include the latest on Jack Wilson.

According to Rosenthal’s source, the Tigers are one of several teams interested in trading for Wilson. The 30-year-old shortstop will earn just over $7MM next year and he has a club option for 2010.

Rosenthal adds that the Pirates would like to acquire Marlins catcher Matt Treanor and then trade him to Detroit along with Wilson.

Wilson could start at short for the Tigers, and Treanor could become their back-up catcher.

Odds And Ends: Lowell, Vazquez, Tazawa

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 22, 2008 at 10:46am CDT

Links for Saturday…

Ken Rosenthal comes up with a few possible suitors for Mike Lowell if the Red Sox sign Mark Teixeira. He lists the Dodgers, White Sox, Tigers and Brewers as possible fits.
Nick Piecoro likes Ramon Vazquez as a fit for the D-Backs.
Highly coveted Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa pitched a complete game shutout in Osaka, walking no one and striking out 10.
John Van Benschoten will move on from the Pirates and try to sign with another team.
Luke Hudson will also leave his old club, moving on from the Royals instead of accepting an assignment to AAA.
Bobby Crosby is out of the loop amid the rumors swirling about Rafael Furcal.
Mike Scarr takes a look at the market for middle infielders.

Odds and Ends: Weathers, Montero, Springer

By Tim Dierkes | November 21, 2008 at 3:25pm CDT

Links for Friday…

MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince says the Indians signed Andy Cannizaro and Damaso Espino to minor league deals.
MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon says the Reds are still talking to David Weathers’ agent, despite the reliever’s comment about flipping the page.
RotoAuthority looks at Blue Jays outfielder Travis Snider, from a fantasy baseball point of view.
Mum’s the word from C.C. Sabathia and his agents.
Rany Jazayerli likes the Royals’ acquisition of Coco Crisp and respects Dayton Moore’s bullpen-building skills.
Click here to download an mp3 of me chatting with Greg Schaum of KCSP 610 about the Royals last night.
Nick Piecoro says the Diamondbacks haven’t been able to find a match on a trade for Miguel Montero, despite discussions with the Red Sox and other teams.
The Cardinals spoke to Russ Springer’s agent recently, but he’s drawing interest from several clubs.
The Phillies won’t make a move in response to the Chase Utley injury, but one blog believes Jerry Hairston Jr. now makes more sense.
John Van Benschoten, the 8th overall pick in the 2001 draft, chose minor league free agency over re-signing with the Pirates.
Sidney Ponson’s grievance against the Orioles will finally be heard next month.

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.

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