Pirates Rumors

Frank Coonelly MLB.com Chat

By Tim Dierkes | September 3, 2008 at 5:05pm CDT

Pirates president Frank Coonelly chatted with fans at MLB.com today. Highlights:

The Pedro Alvarez drama will not prevent the Pirates from drafting a Scott Boras client in the future. Coonelly’s history with Boras was not a factor in the negotiations.
Coonelly is confident Alvarez will be a Pirate soon, and doesn’t think the contract can be voided. He adds, "under no circumstance could Alvarez be granted free agency."
The Pirates will not be spending $10MM+ per year on a free agent starting pitcher.
Coonelly insists the Pirates were not shopping Ian Snell at the trade deadline. Jayson Stark and Jon Heyman said Snell was available, with the Bucs asking for Franklin Morales and two other prospects from the Rockies.

Odds and Ends: Soto, Joba, Colletti, Tazawa

By Tim Dierkes | September 3, 2008 at 11:08am CDT

Let’s dig in with today’s links!

As you know, the Steinbrenners want Brian Cashman back for ’09. Now it’s up to him.
Geovany Soto was discussed as a throw-in on the trade that ultimately sent Sammy Sosa to Baltimore back in ’05. One that did get away that year: Ricky Nolasco (in the Juan Pierre deal).
Michael Gluckstadt interviewed ESPN’s Buster Olney.
CBSSports.com’s Danny Knobler takes a look at the deep free agent class of starting pitchers. Dave Cameron considers this "the greatest collection of free agent arms to hit free agency at the same time in the history of the game."
Joel Sherman disagrees with the ’09 Joba Rules.
Ned Colletti, the game’s best GM? It’s hard to tell if T.J. Simers is being entirely serious here.
Nick Piecoro gives a scout’s take on Chad Beck, who the D’Backs sent to Toronto for David Eckstein.
The Red Sox, Braves, and Mets are eyeing Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa, and Patrick Newman has more details.
John Perrotto says Pedro Alvarez is coming across as a punk.

Latest On Pedro Alvarez

By Tim Dierkes | September 1, 2008 at 9:30am CDT

Following along with the Pedro Alvarez saga…

If you missed Cork’s update yesterday, start with that.
Scott Boras fired back at Frank Coonelly, calling one of Coonelly’s comments "patently absurd." Dejan Kovacevic talked to GM Neal Huntington, who doesn’t expect a ruling until late September or early October.
Huntington also noted that the Pirates will not renegotiate Alvarez’s deal, if that is somehow allowed.

Latest On Pedro Alvarez

By Cork Gaines | August 31, 2008 at 12:40pm CDT

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has a source that claims the Player’s Association will only focus on the status of Pedro Alvarez’ contract and not on the contract of Eric Hosmer. Kovacevic says the MLBPA will argue that Hosmer’s contract was only delayed so the Pirates could have more time to negotiate with Alvarez.

However, Jonathan Mayo obtained a copy of the grievance filed by the union which suggests that Alvarez’ contract will not be the sole focus (emphasis Mayo’s).

The Commissioner’s Office, without notice to the MLBPA, unilaterally determined to permit Clubs to negotiate with drafted players after the August 15, 2008 deadline, and unilaterally determined to accept agreements by Clubs after the August 15, 2008 deadline.

Mayo feels that the use of plurals in the grievance indicates the union is contesting more than one contract. Mayo says the grievance, combined with MLB not allowing Hosmer to play until this issue is resolved, suggests that this is about more than just the contract status of Alvarez.

Mayo also speculates that part of the desire to make Alvarez the top-paid draftee, may stem from Buster Posey’s decision to go with an agent other than Boras. Mayo wonders if Boras is in-part driven to prove Posey made a mistake.

Other notes…

In the above article, Kovacevic also indicates a third team may have submitted their agreement after the midnight deadline. However, Kovacevic does not name the team. Of the teams to announce their agreements to the public after the midnight deadline, includes the Padres (Allan Dykstra), Rangers (Justin Smoak) and Giants (Posey). Could a third player be dragged into this mess?
Kovacevic has a second piece in which he details the contentious history between the Pirates and Boras, and how this may have led to the current rift between the two sides.
Kovacevic is also reporting that Pirates’ president Frank Coonelly fired another shot at Boras, blaming the agent for getting Hosmer involved.
Baseball Prospectus has a list of incidents that could be used as precedents in the Alvarez case.

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

Latest On Hosmer, Alvarez

By Tim Dierkes | August 29, 2008 at 5:49pm CDT

5:49pm: Disappointing development for the Royals – Hosmer cannot play until the grievance is resolved. The hearing takes place September 10th, so he won’t miss too much time.

9:08am: Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette provides his analysis of the Pedro Alvarez situation. How much of this is due to the rivalry between Pirates team president Frank Coonelly and agent Scott Boras? Is Alvarez making a mistake by letting this drag on? Peter Gammons blames Bud Selig, Don Fehr, and Boras for this mess.

Kovacevic does not believe Alvarez will be eligible to return to college in the fall. Independent ball would be the most likely path, if his contract with the Pirates does not stand. Meanwhile, the Royals are trying to keep Eric Hosmer out of the crossfire.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Pedro Alvarez

By Cork Gaines | August 29, 2008 at 1:36pm CDT

Let’s take a look at what is being written about the Pedro Alvarez-Scott Boras-Pirates situation in the Blogosphere…

The Pittsburgh Lumber Co. feels this situation is more about Boras versus MLB than Alvarez versus the Pirates. They feel it is too early for Pirates fans to turn against Alvarez and suggest this will all be forgotten next summer.
Where have you gone, Andy Van Slyke? wonders if this is not about getting more money for Alvarez. They wonder if Boras has a more sinister motive, to set a precedent for allowing negotiations after the August 15 deadline, in essence making the deadline meaningless.
Bucs Dugout wonders if the Alvarez situation will cause problems for Rangers’ prospect Julio Borbon.
Babes Love Baseball says Alvarez is just the latest soul to be claimed by Boras.
Walk Off Walk normally sides with the players against the owners, but even they think Boras has gone too far this time.
Pirates beat writer Dejan Kovacevic has details about the grievance, which will focus on Alvarez.

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

Odds and Ends: Hart, Ellis, Mientkiewicz, Varitek

By Tim Dierkes | August 29, 2008 at 11:35am CDT

Today’s random links…

Ken Rosenthal discusses possible changes at various GM positions. Jon Heyman says Pat Gillick could take a high-ranking role with the Blue Jays if not the Mariners.
Former Indians and Rangers GM John Hart is interested in the Mariners job. The Mariners hope to have their permanent GM hired by the end of October.
A Japanese pitcher invented a new pitch called the shake.
Eddie Bajek wonders if Mark Ellis could handle shortstop. It’s good to think out of the box given the free agent market at the position.
Doug Mientkiewicz would like to spend another season as a Pirates clubhouse leader, but he’d also like more playing time.
The trio of Blue Jays middle infielders react to the Angels rumor.
DraftInfo chatted with MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo.
Amalie Benjamin believes there’s a good chance the Red Sox re-sign Jason Varitek.

Odds and Ends: Indians, Rays, Jays

By Tim Dierkes | August 28, 2008 at 2:43pm CDT

Time to cobble together today’s links.

The Dodgers designated Tanyon Sturtze for assignment. The 37 year-old pitched only 2.1 innings for the big club.
Dejan Kovacevic does not believe the Pedro Alvarez issue will prevent the Pirates from working with Scott Boras in the future.
RotoAuthority assembles a fantasy team entirely of players who went undrafted in March.
Dave Cameron wonders if the Indians will make a trade due to their catching surplus.
Rays Index wants to make it clear that drafting high is only a small factor in the Rays’ success.
Drunk Jays Fans caught an amusing exchange between a fan and GM J.P. Ricciardi on his radio show.
Dave O’Brien ponders the possibility of a Mike Hampton trade. In another post, he mentions that reliever Will Ohman was claimed on waivers and pulled back.

Drama Over Pedro Alvarez Contract

By Tim Dierkes | August 28, 2008 at 8:26am CDT

4:51pm: Jim Callis’ analysis is a must-read at Baseball America. There is a legitimate chance Alvarez is treated as if he didn’t sign, and will become eligible for the ’09 draft.

2:08pm: Jonathan Mayo, Jenifer Langosch, and Kevin Goldstein dig up more details. Turns out Hosmer turned down $5.5MM prior to the deadline, but agreed to $6MM during an MLB-approved extension. The Nats may have had an extension for Aaron Crow as well.

THURSDAY, 8:19am: MLB and the Pirates say the grievance is without merit, while Boras says the Bucs violated MLB’s rules and need to "come clean." Dejan Kovacevic says the sides have not yet discussed the idea of more money, dismissing the idea that Boras demanded another $200K. An arbitrator will make a binding decision on this case on September 10th. Most believe Alvarez will remain a Pirate with a $6MM bonus.

By the way, Royals GM Dayton Moore is not concerned about Hosmer’s contract.

WEDNESDAY, 5:07pm: MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo has been digging all day on this topic. Many questions remain, but it’s a good read.

2:27pm: Baseball America’s Jim Callis offered thoughts on the situation in a chat today. He heard Hosmer was granted an extension by MLB, and signed a bit after the deadline. Alvarez may have been granted one as well. Alvarez apparently took control of the negotiations toward the end, which may be the cause for Boras’ complaint. A similar situation happened in ’93 with A-Rod, and the grievance didn’t go anywhere.

Also, it should be noted that the Players Association filed the grievance, not Scott Boras.

2:07pm: MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch talked to a source who said Boras wants another $200K, so that Alvarez’s bonus matches Buster Posey’s.

12:57pm: Turns out Pedro Alvarez has not reported to the Pirates yet for a reason – the Players Association filed a grievance on his behalf today. They’re saying Alvarez verbally agreed to his $6MM bonus after the midnight deadline on August 15th. Scott Boras informed the Pirates that Alvarez will not sign the contract unless it is renegotiated at a higher number. Royals top pick Eric Hosmer may also become tangled up in this mess, since his contract was submitted after Alvarez.

The Pirates issued a statement, showing their displeasure with Boras’ tactics but expressing confidence the grievance will be dropped. The team also indicates disappointment with Alvarez himself, as he ultimately approved this grievance. In a way, it seems like Boras is taking a stand in general against the idea of the midnight deadline.

Odds and Ends: Ricciardi, Guardado, Alvarez

By Tim Dierkes | August 26, 2008 at 11:26am CDT

Let’s round ’em up…

Chat today, 2pm CST.
Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star tries to view J.P. Ricciardi’s tenure from both sides. Drunk Jays Fans gives their take on the article.
Aaron Gleeman takes a closer look at Eddie Guardado, while Jamey Newberg tells us about Mark Hamburger.
Inspired by Nelson Cruz’s excellent ’08 MLB debut, Rob Neyer and Sam Mellinger discuss cheap talent and "4A" players. Do Jeff Bailey, Mike Hessman, Joe Koshansky, Scott McClain, Terry Tiffee, and Josh Whitesell fit the bill? It’s always fun when these guys get a legitimate shot.
The Pirates are getting frustrated with Scott Boras’ games regarding Pedro Alvarez – he’s signed, so let him take his physical already. Is Boras anti-winter ball for some reason? Speaking of Alvarez, Matt Bandi strikes back at Bob Smizik for his article regarding the scoop on the signing.
If the Padres have the #1 overall pick next June, will they pass on Boras-repped phenom Stephen Strasburg due to signability?
Andrew Baggarly wonders if the Giants should sign Mark Mulder this winter.
Ken Rosenthal examines the Yankees’ upcoming offseason challenges. River Ave. Blues responds to the piece.
Tigers reliever Francis Beltran was designated for assignment after 13 innings. The 28 year-old had been hittable in Triple A as well.

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