The Pirates have gone the entire off-season with their biggest off-season move being resigning utility infielder Jose Hernandez. Why don’t we just give them the National League crown right now. To make matters worse here are a few rumors about players they are considering offering a invitation to camp.
1. Brian Jordan: The guy is 40 years old and has already declined a offer from the Pirates but if no one offers him a deal he may reconsider. Jordan hit .231 in 48 games with the Braves last season. He would like to remain in Atlanta, where he makes his off season home, but the Braves have shown no interest in bringing him back
2. Trot Nixon: The Pirates were actively pursuing Nixon during the winter meetings but once again he has no desire to play in Pittsburgh. Nixon is 32 years old and has no power left in his bat.
3. Adam Laroche: David Littledfield once again has not been able to land a power left handed bat and Laroche was right on his door step and Littlefield stumbled to finish the deal. Sources indicate unless the Pirates include Paul Malholm and Gonzalez this deal will never happen.
Pitchers
1. Pitcher Tomo Ohka has received interest from the Pirates but has contract offers from four undisclosed clubs — either for one year or multiple years — since the winter meetings ended three weeks ago, reports ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick. The Pirates are believed to offered Ohka a 2year for 9 million while he is reportedly seeking 3 years for 6 million per.
2. Brian Lawrence: The Pirates, Diamondbacks, Rockies and Giants are among the teams in pursuit of free-agent starter Brian Lawrence, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Pirates officials have attended several of Lawrence’s mound workouts, and the team may make an initial offer within a week. Lawrence didn’t pitch last year because of shoulder surgery.
3. Left-handed pitcher Jim Parque, who hasn’t appeared in the major leagues since 2003 because of shoulder trouble, is healthy again and trying to make a comeback, reports ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick. Parque, a former first-round pick out of UCLA, went 31-34 in parts of six seasons with the White Sox and Devil Rays. His best season came in 2000, when he posted a 13-6 record for Chicago and started the opener of the American League Division Series against the Mariners. The Pirates have also attended some of his mound workouts but to land the once talented gem they’ll have to outbid the big boys. Teams interested – Whitesox, Padres, Angels, Reds.
Let’s just say it’s going to be a long summer
January 6, 2007
