MLB: Pirates anticipating A.J. Burnett to seek around $15 million per season?
A.J. Burnett made $16.5 million in 2013. The Pirates, though, only paid the 36 year old pitcher $8 million of his $16.5 million salary with the Yankees picking up $8.5 million of it. Are the Pirates ready to nearly double what they were paying Burnett last season? That’s the million dollar question when it comes to Burnett’s future with the team. Pirate officials are anticipating a tough negotiation with the Pirates already expecting Burnett to seek around $15 million per season. The team does not plan to make Burnett a qualifying offer of $14.1 million. Burnett has floated around the retirement talk but few are buying it and believe he will seek one last big pay day. How high the
Latest Trade Chatter: Pirates to land one of David DeJesus or Nate Schierholtz?
PIRATES CONFIDENT THEY WILL ADD A BAT Less than six hours until the trade deadline and the Pirates have a lot of cards in play. The team continues their pursuit of adding a bat and there seems to be confidence in the organization of getting a deal done today for a bat. The Pirates have also been considering deals for a starter and in the bullpen after losing out on reliever Brian Wilson. Here’s some latest rumblings: *Talks between the Pirates and White Sox have not fallen apart for Alex Rios but as of last night there continued to be no movement between the two sides. As expected, money has been a “major” sticking point, according to sources. Things though
Source: Pirates believe SP Bud Norris can be very effective as a right handed specialist in the bullpen during post-season
PIRATES EYEING NORRIS Less than 24 hours before the MLB Trade deadline and the Pirates remain in the hunt for Astros starter Bud Norris (6-9, 3.93 ERA). Aside from being cheap (makes $3 million) and under team control through the 2015 season, Pirates scouts believe Norris could provide versatility.
Morning Pirates Buzz: Alvarez shows game changing ability vs Cards & some trade chatter
MORNING PIRATES BUZZ Francisco Liriano (11-4, 2.16 ERA) pitched seven dominant innings and Pedro Alvarez belted his NL-leading 27th home run of the season as the Pittsburgh Pirates (62-42) beat the St. Louis Cardinals (62-41) 9-2 on Monday night to pull within a half game of the Cardinals for the NL Central lead. It was a big night for the Pirates as they also moved 4.5 games ahead of the Cincinnati Reds (59-48) for the top wildcard spot. Liriano allowed 1 run over seven innings, striking out 8 and walking 2 to improve to 11-4 on the season. Liriano has now won six of his last seven starts and is 6-1 at home with a 1.61 ERA on the season.
Pirates emerging as a strong suitor for Brian Wilson
The Pittsburgh Pirates are in the mix for former San Francisco Giants closer Brian Wilson and considered a strong suitor. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports Wilson has 5 offers on the table from 4 NL teams and 1 AL team. Nightengale calls the Pirates and Diamondbacks a strong front runner.
Pirates and Cubs ideal trade partners leading into the deadline?
The Pirates (58-39) picked up a 6-5 win over the Washington Nationals Monday night but the win was a costly one as All-Star closer Jason Grilli (30 saves, 2.85 ERA) left in the ninth inning with forearm tightness. The look on Grilli’s face, his teammates, and manager Clint Hurdle told the story that it could be a potentially severe elbow injury. All indications are Grilli will be out for an extended period. While GM Neal Huntington has been checking around on the bullpen market in attempt to add an arm, he hasn’t been looking for a closer. Grilli’s injury changes those plans or at least it should. Mark Melancon (26 HLD, 0.97 ERA) immediately moves into the closers role for
Pirates have checked in on the availability of Hunter Pence
LATEST PIRATES TRADE CHATTER Outfielder Hunter Pence is a player Pirates GM Neal Huntington has tried to acquired for a few years now and would like the chance again. Jon Heyman of CBSSports reports the Pirates have interest in Pence but at this point Pence is not available, per Heyman. The defending World Series Champion San Francisco Giants have had an up and down season but are just 5 1/2 games out of the NL West division lead. As long as they remain in contention, Pence is unlikely to be moved. Pence, 30, is hitting .265 with 14 home runs and 49 RBIs this season. The Pirates were involved in trade talks for Pence last year when he was a
MLB: Pirates doing background work on Bud Norris?
PIRATES EYEING NORRIS? If the Pirates add to the starting rotation, the team would like to add a pitcher with control, team sources say.
Pirates Trade Chatter: Huntington very high on White Sox OF Alex Rios
Pirates GM Neal Huntington has the okay to add a big salary and leading into the July 31st trade deadline, Huntington has his sights set on Chicago White Sox right fielder Alex Rios. Rios, 32, is hitting .270 with 11 home runs, 40 RBIs and has 19 stolen bases. Team sources say Huntington has held Rios in high regard for years now and tried trading for Rios when he was a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. Rios has a huge contract, making $12.5 million this season. He is scheduled to make $12.5 million in 2014, and has a $13.5 million club option with a $1 million buyout in 2015. The terms of Rios contract is that if he is
MLB: Pirates to draft a catcher in Round 1 for 2nd time in four years?
HUNTINGTON HAS SIGHTS SET ON PREP CATCHER