Blue Jays sign former Pirate Jose Bautista to $65 million deal

The Toronto Blue Jays and Jose Bautista have agreed to a five-year, $65 million contract that also includes a club option for $13 million in 2016. Enrique Rojas, of ESPNdeportes, was the first to report the tentative agreement Wednesday. Bautista, 30, has been a career journeyman but exploded with 54 home runs and 124 RBI’s in 2010 for Toronto. Bautisa was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 20th round of the 2000 draft. Bautista was traded from Pittsburgh to Toronto in 2008. He hit 16 home runs in 2006 with the Pirates, followed by 15 home runs in 2007 for Pittsburgh.

Pirates claim SS Josh Rodriguez with the No. 1 pick in the Rule-5 draft

The Pittsburgh Pirates intensified their efforts to upgrade the shortstop position on Wednesday, aggressively pursuing Jason Bartlett and J.J. Hardy but after striking out on both players, the Pirates were forced to look to the Rule-5 draft. The Pirates today selected Cleveland Indians shortstop Josh Rodriguez with the No. 1 pick in the Rule-5 draft. Rodriguez, 25, with turn 26 later this month and is a versatile player who can also play third base, second base and in the outfield. However, Rodriguez doesn’t address the Pirates pressing need at shortstop by any means as Rodriguez is seen as nothing more than a utility guy by scouts. The former…

Pirates give outfielder Matt Diaz a 2 year deal

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed 32 year old outfielder Matt Diaz to a 2 year deal with the total worth of the contract close to $5 million, according to an industry source. Ken Rosenthal of Foxsports first reported the deal.

Pirates DFA Zach Duke, Andy LaRoche & Delwyn Young

Pirates DFA Duke after failing to trade him The Pittsburgh Pirates tonight announced Mike Crotta, Jeff Locke, Kyle McPherson, Daniel Moskos and Tony Watson have been added to 40-man roster. To make room for tonight’s moves, Zach Duke, Andy LaRoche and Delwyn Young have been designated for assignment, the team announced. All three players were eligible for arbitration. The moves to add Crotta, Locke, McPherson, Moskos and Watson to the 40-man roster were made so the group of players won’t be exposed to next month’s Rule-5 draft.

MLB: Pirates Rumors: Kicking the Tires on Brandon Webb

The Pittsburgh Pirates are kicking the tires on former CY young award winner Brandon Webb. Jerry Crasnick of ESPN reports, the Dodgers, Pirates, Twins, and Rangers are among those expressing some interest in the free agent starter. At least three to four others could also emerge as suitors. Webb is attempting a comeback and his agent Jonathan Maurer is seeking a one year incentive based deal. Webb, 31, has only appeared in one game since the 2009 season after having shoulder surgery that made him miss the entire 2010 season. Webb won 22 games in 2008 and from 2006-2008, went a combined 56-25. He made $8.5 million in 2010.

Pirates hire manager Clint Hurdle to a three year deal

The Pittsburgh Pirates have scheduled an 11:00 a.m. press conference for Monday where the team will announce the hiring of Texas Rangers hitting coach Clint Hurdle to be their next manager. Hurdle will receive a three year deal from the Pirates and a salary worth more than $1 million per season. Hurdle will replace John Russell who was fired after three seasons. The Pirates who lost 105 games in 2010 have not had a winning season since 1992. Hurdle who currently serves as the Texas Rangers hitting coach, managed the Colorado Rockies from 2002-2009 and posted a 534-625 record. He was fired in May 2009 and replaced by former Pirates manager Jim Tracy. Hurdle had one winning season in Colorado,

MLB: Pirates GM won’t commit to John Russell coming back

Pirates fire Double-A Manager *The Pirates today fired Altoona Curve manager Matt Walbeck who led Altoona to their first championship and was named Eastern League Manager of the Year. Walbeck is regarded as one of the top up and coming coaches in the minors. The move is a major mistake by the organization and the Pirates to no surprise are giving no reason for the firing. The Altoona Mirror has provided some great coverage of the situation. Here’s the latest from the Mirror: By Corey Giger: Winning the Curve’s first championship and being named Eastern League Manager of the Year wasn’t enough for Matt Walbeck to keep his job. The Pirates informed Walbeck late Wednesday night that he would not

“Leak of finances” had the Pirates playing the spin game on Sunday

A rare look into the Pittsburgh Pirates finances have finally come to the forefront. Documents detailing the Pirates finances from 2007 and 2008 were leaked to the Associated Press this week and when the Pirates got word of the story going public, it forced Pirates President Frank Coonelly to play the spin game on Sunday. Team officials quickly held a press gathering this afternoon and all of a sudden the Pirates were talking openly about their finances. To no surprise, the Associated Press wasn’t invited to the session, who owner Bob Nutting aimed at the leak. The Pirates furious over the leak, released a lengthy press statement after it became public that the Pirates pulled in profits of $14,408,249 for

Doumit 0-for-4 in rehab start with Triple-A Indy

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit was 0-for-4 with a strikeout in a rehab start on Tuesday afternoon for the Indianapolis Indians. Doumit who has lost his starting catcher job to the newly acquired Chris Snyder, started in right field for the Indians today. He left the game after 7 innings. Doumit is expected become a part-time player off the bench and will get a look in right field once he becomes eligible to come off the disabled list on Friday, August 6th. Game Notes: Cincinnati (60-47) @ Pittsburgh Pirates (36-69) LHP Paul Maholm (6-9, 4.52) vs. RHP Mike Leake (7-2, 3.57) The Pirates are in the midst of a five game losing streak and are 2-8 in their last 10

Live Pirates Trade Deadline Updates: Pirates land McDonald, Lambo in deal for Dotel

July 31, 2010 4:50 p.m.McDonald to join Pirates The Pirates announced today that James McDonald will join the Pirates on Monday. Andrew Lambo will report to Double-A Altoona. Joe Martinez acquired in the Javier Lopez trade, will report to Triple-A Indy. 4:00 p.m.Pirates deal Dotel The Pittsburgh Pirates traded closer Octavio Dotel to the Los Angeles Dodgers just before the deadline ended. The Pirates will receive pitcher James MacDonald and outfielder Andrew Lambo. The Pirates are also sending cash to the Dodgers. 3:45 p.m.Pirates deal Lopez to San Francisco According to reports out of San Francisco, the Pirates have traded reliever Javier Lopez to the San Francisco Giants in-exchange for RHP Joe Martinez. Martinez, 27, has made seven career starts