Rundown of the Pirates Latest Roster Moves

The Pirates officially tendered Neil Walker, Garrett Jones, James McDonald, Gaby Sanchez, and Joel Hanrahan on Friday. The team did not tender Charlie Morton but reached an agreement on a 1 year, $2 million deal with Morton who is not expected to be ready to pitch until at least mid-season. The Pirates approximately saved around $5.5 million by not tendering Jeff Karstens (projected $3.8 – $4 million), trading Chris Resop (projected $1.25 million) and reworking Charlie Morton’s deal.

Hanrahan, Walker, Jones, McDonald and Sanchez project to count for $18-$20 million of the Pirates 2013 payroll. The Pirates are exploring the trade market for Hanrahan who projects to make close to $7 million in 2013.

The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced they have signed right-handed pitcher Mike Zagurski to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to Major League spring training.

The 29-year-old Zagurski made 45 relief appearances with Arizona in 2012 and posted a 5.54 ERA (37.1ip/23er) with the Diamondbacks. He also made six appearances with Triple-A Reno, where he produced a 2.00 ERA (9.0ip/2er). Zagurski was originally selected by Philadelphia in the 12th round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft and has made a total of 82 relief appearances in the Major Leagues with the Phillies (2007, 2010-11) and Diamondbacks. He was acquired by Arizona in a deal with Philadelphia on 9/23/11.

The Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday acquired minor league right-handed pitcher Zach Thornton from
the Oakland Athletics organization in exchange for right-handed pitcher Chris Resop.

The 24-year-old Thornton went 4-0 with 16 saves, a 4.53 ERA (53.2ip/27er) and 70 strikeouts
in 48 relief appearances in 2012 with Single-A Stockton of the California League. The 16 saves
were tied for fourth among California League pitchers and ranked first among Oakland farmhands.

Thornton was originally selected by Oakland in the 23rd round of the 2010 First-Year Player
Draft out of the University of Oregon. In 2011, he was named to the Midwest League mid-season
All-Star team after posting a 5-4 record, 2.39 ERA and 82 strikeouts in 40 relief appearances
for the Burlington Bees. Since making his professional debut in 2010, Thornton has gone 11-6 with 21 saves, a 3.29 ERA (169.2ip/62er) and 187 strikeouts in 107 career minor league relief appearances.

The Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday acquired minor league right-handed pitcher Jhondaniel Medina
from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for infielder Yamaico Navarro.

The 19-year-old Medina posted a combined 1-3 record, 4.14 ERA (50.0ip/23er) and 50 strikeouts
in 11 games (seven starts) between the GCL Orioles and Aberdeen IronBirds in 2012.

Medina was originally signed by Baltimore as a non-drafted free agent on December 14, 2009.

Since making his professional debut with the Dominican Summer League Orioles in 2010, Medina
has posted a 9-10 record, 3.15 ERA (166.0ip/58er) and 159 strikeouts in 35 games (30 starts)
in the minor leagues.