Pittsburgh Pirates Trade Rumors

Morning links: Dotel vs. Capps
Comment
January 22
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Octavio Dotel is in the fold, and that means that, once and for all, Dotel's duel with Matt Capps can begin, right? First, let us set some framework for the debate ... In 2010, they will cost pretty much the same: Dotel will be paid $3.25 million, Capps $3.5 million. They also will have the same number of years of control: The Pirates have the club option on Dotel for 2011, and the Nationals have a third and final year of arbitration with Capps in 2011, after which he can become a free agent. Which leaves two variables in play: Age and performance. And, really, age only matters as it relates to performance in this equation, meaning that, if Dotel somehow starts throwing 88-mph fastballs ..."
Pirates setting complex stage to add Dotel
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January 20
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates and starter Zach Duke yesterday avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $4.3 million that nearly doubled his previous pay. And that was only part of what promises to be a busy week of transactions. Later in the afternoon, general manager Neal Huntington claimed outfielder Brandon Jones off waivers from the Atlanta Braves, although that addition might not last. Then, late in the evening, Huntington designated for assignment reliever Steven Jackson, meaning the team has 10 days to trade, waive or release him. On deck? All together now: Octavio Dotel. First, about the 40-man roster ... The Jones claim was able to occur even though the 40-man roster ..."
Pirates, Duke avoid arbitration, agree to contract
Comment
January 19
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates and starter Zach Duke this morning agreed to terms on a contract, thus avoiding salary arbitration, according to a source directly involved in talks. It is believed to be a one-year term, but no salary was immediately available. Noon today was Major League Baseball's deadline for teams and arbitration-eligible players to exchange salary figures toward the hearings that take place in February, but that process was canceled by the agreement. Duke, 26, made $2.2 million last year while going 11-16 with a 4.06 ERA in 32 starts and making the National League All-Star team. This was his second year of arbitration eligibility."
Indians acquire infielder Brian Bixler from Pittsburgh
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January 19
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"The Indians have acquired infielder Brian Bixler from Pittsburgh for minor league infielder Jesus Brito. Bixler was added to the 40-man roster and will compete for a spot on the big-league club as a middle infielder in spring training. Bixler, 27, hit .227 (10-for-44) with five runs and three RBI for the Pirates last year. The right-handed hitter spent most of the season at Class AAA Indianapolis where he batted .275 (111-for-403) with 71 runs, 23 doubles, eight triples, nine homers and 43 RBI. The Pirates drafted Bixler, from Sandusky, with the second pick in the 2004 draft. He made his big-league debut in 2008."
Pirates nearing deal with Dotel
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January 15
MLB.com
 
"The Pirates are nearing a deal with free-agent reliever Octavio Dotel, a source confirmed with MLB.com on Thursday. Though the two sides are close, no agreement is in place yet. Dotel would also still need to undergo a physical before anything would become official. Dotel, 36, is coming off a season in which he made $6 million in the second year of a two-year deal with the White Sox. He made 62 appearances in 2009 and finished with a 3.32 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings. Though Pittsburgh is expected to have offered Dotel a Major League deal, it is unlikely that the salary will approach what Dotel earned last year given general manager Neal Huntington's hesitancy to pay relievers ..."
Pirates nearing deal with Dotel
Comment
January 15
MLB.com
 
"The Pirates are nearing a deal with free-agent reliever Octavio Dotel, a source confirmed with MLB.com on Thursday. Though the two sides are close, no agreement is in place yet. Dotel would also still need to undergo a physical before anything would become official. Dotel, 36, is coming off a season in which he made $6 million in the second year of a two-year deal with the White Sox. He made 62 appearances in 2009 and finished with a 3.32 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings. Though Pittsburgh is expected to have offered Dotel a Major League deal, it is unlikely that the salary will approach what Dotel earned last year given general manager Neal Huntington's hesitancy to pay relievers ..."
Pirates complete contract with outfielder Church
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January 13
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates officially have signed free-agent outfielder Ryan Church, the team announced this morning, to the one-year, $1.5 million contract that had been previously reported. Management plans to use Church in a reserve role, behind everyday outfielders Lastings Milledge, Andrew McCutchen and Garrett Jones. Church, 31, is coming off a 2009 in which he batted .273 with four home runs and 40 RBIs in 111 games split between the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves. He was hampered much of the summer by a sore back caused by an aggravated sacroiliac joint. In December, he was non-tendered by Atlanta after making $2.8 million, as he surely would have gotten a raise through the arbitration process."
Pirates sign 3 more to minor-league contracts
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January 12
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"In a move partly to bolster their farm system and potentially to fill one bullpen opening, the Pirates announced today the signing of three players to minor-league deals: right-handed reliever Brian Bass of the Baltimore Orioles, catcher Luke Carlin and outfielder Brian Myrow, who hit .330 with their Class AAA club in Indianapolis early last season. Bass, who turned 28 last week, went 5-3 with a 4.90 ERA in 86 1/3 innings over 48 appearances last season with Baltimore, finishing second among American League relievers in innings pitched. Carlin, 29, a member of Team Canada in last spring's World Baseball Classic, appears to be the replacement for the released Robinzon Diaz. This ..."
Pirates in talks with free-agent outfielder Church
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January 11
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates are in talks with free-agent outfielder Ryan Church. Church, 31, is coming off a 2009, split between the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves, in which he batted .273 with four home runs and 40 RBIs in 111 games. He was non-tendered by Atlanta management after making $2.8 million, as he surely would have gotten a raise through the arbitration process. He was hampered much of the past summer by a sore back caused by an aggravated sacroiliac joint. Church appears to fit the Pirates' profile for their primary position-player need, in that they seek a reserve outfielder capable of stepping into everyday duty if needed: Church, a left-handed batter, is versatile, sound defensively, and ..."
Pirates focus on Dotel, dim outlook on Ankiel
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January 9
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates have zeroed in on free-agent closer Octavio Dotel, according to multiple sources yesterday, but they might be looking away from outfielder Rick Ankiel. Dotel is one of several relievers the team has offered a contract, but he is atop their wish list. He is one of only three free-agent closers left, all represented by agent Dan Horwits, along with Jose Valverde and Kevin Gregg. The Pirates made an initial inquiry months ago on Valverde, perhaps the best of the group, but were turned off by the price. They also asked about Gregg in December, but that, according to a source, went little further. Dotel, 36, has not closed since early 2007, but he was a reliable setup man for closer ..."
Will Pirates land Ankiel?
Comment
January 7
Foxsports.com
 
"The Pirates want to sign free-agent outfielder Rick Ankiel, but their chances of completing a deal are in question. While one major-league source says he expects the Pirates to "win out" for Ankiel, a second source is more pessimistic. The Pirates' interest in Ankiel is "real," the second source said, but the team might fill its need with another player rather than continue waiting on Ankiel and his agent, Scott Boras. Ankiel, 30, would play right field for the Pirates, enabling the team to use Garrett Jones at first base. The Pirates also could add a different outfielder, or find a first baseman and play Jones in right."
Pirates sign Burres, Cotts, Yates to minor league deals
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January 4
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates have agreed to terms on minor league contracts with pitchers Brian Burres, Neal Cotts and Tyler Yates. All will be invited to spring training. Burres, a 28-year-old left-hander, was 6-7 with a 4.76 ERA for the Blue Jays' Class AAA affiliate in Las Vegas, 0-2 with a 14.21 ERA in two starts for Toronto. Cotts, a 29-year-old left-hander, opened last season on the Cubs' roster -- 7.36 ERA in 19 appearances, plus nine strikeouts, nine walks and three home runs -- then had a 2.84 ERA in 12 appearances for Class AAA Iowa before his season was ended by Tommy John surgery on his elbow. Yates, a 32-year-old right-hander who had agreed more than a month ago to return to the Pirates, also ..."
Pirates eye Gregg, Dotel, as Capps picks Nats
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December 25
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Matt Capps, the Pirates' recently released closer, formally is gone, but the team is engaged in talks with two possible replacements in free agents Kevin Gregg and Octavio Dotel. Early this morning, Capps agreed to terms with Washington on a one-year contract worth $3.5 million, choosing the Nationals over the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets, the latter a late entry to the process. Capps also can make $425,000 in performance bonuses based on games finished. The Pirates essentially conceded earlier in the week that Capps would not take their last, best offer to him as a free agent -- close to $3 million -- and said they would shift full focus to finding late-inning bullpen help for Joel ..."
Source: the Pirates have made Octavio Dotel an offer
Comment
December 23
NBCSports.com
 
"A source tells me that the Pirates have made an offer to Octavio Dotel to be their closer. The offer: $3 million plus games-finished incentives. Not a deal yet or anything, but it's out there. Dotel has turned in back-to-back healthy seasons since coming back from Tommy John surgery, and he continues to post excellent strikeout numbers. Still, surprising that he's being looked at as a closer. Then again, these are the Pirates."
Pirates looking beyond recently released Capps
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December 22
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates have not formally withdrawn from talks with recently released closer Matt Capps, but they have reached the point where they are focused elsewhere. The team did negotiate with Capps and agent Paul Kinzer over the past few days, but Capps now has two offers greater than the Pirates' best -- believed to be in the range of $2.5 million-$3 million -- from the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals. He is expected to choose between those two teams before Christmas."
Grabow tries to sell Capps on Cubs
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December 22
MLB.com
 
"If Matt Capps does sign with the Cubs, credit pitcher John Grabow with an assist. Grabow, who was Capps' teammate in Pittsburgh before he was traded to the Cubs in July, has talked to the free agent right-hander, who has apparently narrowed his choices to Washington and Chicago. The two pitchers have the same agent, Paul Kinzer. MLB.com's Bill Ladson reported that Capps, who was not tendered arbitration by the Pirates, planned on making a decision by Wednesday. Grabow signed a two-year contract on Nov. 20 with the Cubs and gave Capps a little inside information. "I basically told him about the organization and how the guys are in the clubhouse," Grabow said Tuesday from his Arizona home. ..."
RHP Capps mulls Nats, Cubs options
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December 22
ESPN.com
 
"Ten days after reliever Matt Capps landed on the free-agent market, he's down to deciding whether he wants to be a closer for the Washington Nationals or a setup man and fallback closer candidate for the Cubs. Agent Paul Kinzer said Tuesday that Capps plans to confer with his family and decide between competing offers from the Cubs and Nationals by Wednesday night. "Matt is really comfortable with those two [teams] at this point,'' Kinzer said. "When it comes right down to it, he has to decide whether he's going to a place where he's definitely going to be the closer, or he's a setup man with a chance to maybe close.'' Capps, 26, amassed 66 saves from 2007 through 2009 in Pittsburgh. But ..."
Nats among final three for reliever Capps
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December 22
Foxsports.com
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"The Nationals might actually be on a roll. Not only are the Nats set to announce a two-year deal with free-agent right-hander Jason Marquis, but they also are one of three finalists for free-agent reliever Matt Capps. "They came out of nowhere," said Capps' agent, Paul Kinzer. "Going in, we weren't even considering them. But they're right there. They'll be in the last conversation, I know.""
Alvarez embraces 'intense' offseason
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December 20
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"If Pedro Alvarez does begin belting balls toward the Allegheny River this summer, as so many expect, someone somewhere is bound to credit the Pirates for having pushed him to upgrade his conditioning in the offseason. If so, that will tell only part of the story, perhaps a very small part. Because, to hear from Alvarez and others who have enrolled at the Athletes' Performance Institute in Tempe, Ariz., the motivation to endure, much less embrace API's boot-camp lifestyle -- early to bed, up at 6 a.m., two robust workouts a day, strict dietary monitoring -- must come from within. "It's pretty intense, pretty much a whole-day ordeal," Alvarez said by phone from Tempe late in the week. "And, ..."
Catcher Yorvit Torrealba unlikely to return to Rockies
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December 16
Denver Post
 
"While the door might be closing on veteran catcher Yorvit Torrealba rejoining the Rockies, it's wide open for free-agent reliever Matt Capps. "I just don't think it's going to work out," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said Tuesday when asked about Torrealba. "Negotiations can always change, but right now I'm not optimistic." O'Dowd did confirm the club is interested in free- agent catcher Miguel Olivo. "He is certainly on our list of possibilities, but it's a very fluid situation right now," O'Dowd said. Last week, the Rockies and Torrealba seemed close to agreeing to a two-year deal. However, the two sides are now in a stalemate over contract details. Torrealba is seeking a two-year, ..."
15 teams watch Chapman throw
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December 15
ESPN.com
 
"Fomer Cuban national team starting pitcher Aroldis Chapman threw a bullpen session on Tuesday in Houston in front of representatives from 15 major league teams. On Tuesday morning at the Baseball USA complex, the left-hander tossed two separate five-minute side sessions, throwing mostly in the 92-93 mph range and topping out at 96 mph. Chapman, 21, also threw his slider and change-up. Team representatives who attended included Houston Astros general manager Ed Wade, Los Angeles Angels scouting director Eddie Bane, Florida Marlins vice president of player development Jim Fleming, Pittsburgh Pirates international scouting director Rene Gayo, and Baltimore Orioles international scouting ..."
Capps draws heavy interest
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December 14
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"It appears immensely unlikely that Matt Capps will be returning to Pittsburgh, based on the volume of interest in the 48 hours since the Pirates released him late Saturday. No fewer than eight suitors are known to have made contact with Capps' agent, Paul Kinzer, including the Rangers, Rockies, Marlins, Cardinals, Cubs and Diamondbacks. The latter two were first reported by the Chicago Tribune and Arizona Republic, respectively. There might also be several more, according to a source."
D-Backs among teams interested in Capps
Comment
December 14
Arizona Republic
 
"Reliever Matt Capps' agent said Sunday afternoon that his client has received interest from "seven or eight teams" a day after Capps was non-tendered by the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Diamondbacks were one of those teams. "It seems like there's a lot of interest out there," agent Paul Kinzer said. "We're going to see what's out there and talk about it this week." Kinzer said Capps, who had been the Pirates closer for parts of the past three seasons, is open to being a setup man. "On a good team, if he had an opportunity to win, yeah, he's open," Kinzer said. "Or a place where he'd have an opportunity to be there if somebody struggled.""
Capps surprised by Bucs non-tender
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December 13
MLB.com
 
"For the past week, Matt Capps had seen and heard the same things as everyone else. He had read general manager Neal Huntington's comments on Wednesday when Huntington confirmed that the team intended to tender contracts to all three of its arbitration-eligible players. So needless to say, Capps was caught quite off guard when he woke up on Sunday to find out that he was now a free agent looking for a job. The Pirates opted not to tender Capps a contract for 2010 by Saturday's 11:59 p.m. ET deadline. Capps was one of 39 arbitration-eligible players not offered a contract before midnight. "I didn't know," Capps said when asked if he had any indication he'd be non-tendered. "All I know is ..."
Pirates sign shortstop Crosby
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December 10
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates have officially announced the signing of free-agent shortstop Bobby Crosby. The terms are one year at $1 million plus as much as $500,000 in bonuses based on plate appearances. The 29-year-old Crosby has spent his entire career with Oakland after being selected by the Athletics with the 25th overall pick in the first round of the 2001 draft. He hit .223 (53-for-238) with 10 doubles, two triples, six home runs and 29 RBI in 97 games in 2009 while making 54 appearances at first base, 42 at third base, six at shortstop, five at second base and one in right field."
Former A's shortstop Bobby Crosby is headed for Pirates
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December 10
Contra Costa Times
 
"The transaction wire cranked up a notch Wednesday at baseball's annual winter meetings, though the A's didn't join in the party. A former A's infielder did make some news, however. Free agent Bobby Crosby reportedly has a one-year, $1.5 million deal in place with the Pittsburgh Pirates pending final details. After spending his first six seasons with the A's, the 2004 American League Rookie of the Year gets the fresh start he was looking for after a frustrating 2009 campaign. Crosby lost his starting job at shortstop during spring training. He adjusted well in a utility role but was outspoken in saying he wanted to sign with a team that would give him a chance to play shortstop. Ronny ..."
Bucs expected to announce Crosby signing
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December 10
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"The Pirates are expected to announce today that they have signed free-agent infielder Bobby Crosby to a one-year contract. "We've got some processes we've got to work through," general manager Neal Huntington said Wednesday night. » Huntington reiterated the team plans to tender contract offers to all three of its arbitration-eligible players: Matt Capps, Ronny Cedeno and Zach Duke. » Former first-round draft pick Neil Walker seems to be slipping off the radar as a prospect. "We haven't talked a lot about (where to play) Neil," manager John Russell said. "Neil's got a long way to go to make an impact at the major-league level. He's got to hit better at Triple-A, he's got to get stronger, ..."
Fanning the fire on the hot stove
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December 10
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Two words for Pirates management this morning: Ramiro Pena. That's whom they ought to have been targeting this week in tropical Indianapolis, the site of baseball's annual Winter Meetings, which have long since become the December marketplace where the Pirates reliably maneuver just carefully enough to achieve their unique equilibrium -- modest profits from an acutely substandard product. Yes, it's all perfectly legal. Ramiro Pena makes the major league minimum: $400,000. He's a perfect fit. With all the resources available within what Bob Nutting once called the best management team in all of baseball and maybe in all of sports (and certainly the best in the 100 block of Federal Street), ..."
Pirates set to sign Crosby
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December 10
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates are expected to make their first noteworthy move of Major League Baseball's Winter Meetings today, agreeing to a one-year, roughly $1.5 million contract with free agent Bobby Crosby to become their shortstop. Backup shortstop, that is. Coming off a .223 season. If that sounds rather incidental, it just might play out that way if Crosby continues to hit the way he did in his final four seasons in Oakland: .231 over 1,501 at-bats and never higher than .238. But, if he somehow can reclaim the form of 2004, when he was the American League Rookie of the Year with 22 home runs and 64 RBIs and ... oh, wait. There was a .239 average that year, too. And his only year above that .239 was ..."
Boras clients to come later
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December 9
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Morning again, and a really cold and windy one here. Apologies for the late first update, but the Internet situation here is just unreal. There is a giant media work room here with about 250 reporters, and about half of them can be seen grumbling at their laptops. Still no formal word on Bobby Crosby. Maybe the most interesting names to have been contaced by the Pirates this offseason are the three represented by Scott Boras: Rick Ankiel, Hank Blalock and Xavier Nady. There has been little movement on any of those players, regarding any team, actually, though the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported yesterday that the Braves have asked Boras about Nady. The Pirates' stance on these ..."
Pirates interested in signing infielder Crosby
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December 9
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"The Pirates on Tuesday took steps toward signing free-agent infielder Bobby Crosby to a one-year contract. General manager Neal Huntington declined to comment on the specifics of talks, saying only that the Pirates "are engaged in negotiations with multiple players, trying to find ways to make this organization better." Crosby's health - he's battled back problems since 2006 and would have to pass a physical - is one issue. Another could be where Crosby would play. Crosby was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2004 after inheriting the Oakland A's shortstop job from Miguel Tejada. This past season, he became a utility infielder. Last summer, Crosby played in 97 games, but he made only two ..."
Interest high in Bucs pitchers Maholm, Duke
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December 9
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"Pirates left-handers Paul Maholm and Zach Duke have drawn considerable interest from other teams at the Winter Meetings. "The value is high for quality starting pitchers," general manager Neal Huntington said Tuesday. "As more go off (the market), the value may go up. It's something we have to be open-minded about. We're not looking to move, but if we get a good baseball deal, we'll talk about it." Huntington indicated there's no sense of urgency to trade a pitcher during this week's meetings. "In fact, if we were smart about it, we'd probably wait and let most of the other options go off the board," he said. "Maybe we'd get (another team) that's willing to be that much more aggressive." » ..."
Jackson just the start of pitching deals
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December 8
Foxsports.com
 
"Edwin Jackson will not be the last starting pitcher traded. The Blue Jays are working three- and four-team scenarios involving Roy Halladay. The Braves are aggressively shopping Derek Lowe. The Rangers are actively discussing right-hander Kevin Millwood. Other available starting pitchers include the Reds' Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo, the Royals' Gil Meche, the Rangers' Brandon McCarthy and — only for the right price — the Pirates' Zach Duke and Paul Maholm. For a team such as the Angels, facing the potential loss of free-agent right-hander John Lackey, the options are plentiful. If the Jays' price for Halladay is too high, they can always turn to Lowe. The Orioles, pursuing Millwood, ..."
Pirates on verge of signing Rockies' target Bobby Crosby
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December 8
Denver Post
 
"Scratch Bobby Crosby from the Rockies' list of utility player candidates. The free agent is on the verge of signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he will be given a chance to compete for a starting job. The Rockies liked Crosby's versatilty — a right-handed bat who could back up first and third base. But Crosby would not have a chance to start with the Rockies, where the infield is set heading into next season."
Pirates, Blue Jays talking Doumit
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December 8
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates and Toronto are discussing a trade involving catcher Ryan Doumit, but the Blue Jays are not the only team in the mix. More tentative word is floating that the Mariners -- who were known previously -- and Giants are in there, too. Among those I have crossed off the list this morning are the Mets, Rangers and Marlins. Not much word at all about Matt Capps today."
Bucs intensify interest in SS Crosby
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December 8
MLB.com
 
"As the Pirates continue to explore additional shortstop options for next season, it is believed that free agent Bobby Crosby is at or near the top of the priority list right now. An industry source characterized the Pirates' level of discussion with Crosby's agent, Paul Cohen, as "pretty extensive" and confirmed that talks have intensified recently. Up to seven clubs have inquired about Crosby this offseason, though the baseball source said that two or three of those teams have shown particularly strong interest. It's unknown which clubs, other than Pittsburgh, that includes. About half the teams that have asked about Crosby have targeted him as a potential shortstop, while the others are ..."
Pirates hedging on arbitration-eligible players
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December 8
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"Pirates general manager Neal Huntington hedged Monday when asked if he still planned to tender offers to the team's three arbitration-eligible players: Ronny Cedeno, Matt Capps and Zach Duke. Huntington paused for a long moment, then chose his words carefully: "That's a good question." Duke is a key member of the starting rotation, so he'll be tendered. As long as Cedeno is the lone option at shortstop, he'll be tendered. As for Capps ... the closer is coming off arguably his worst year in the majors, notching 27 saves but with a 5.80 ERA and a career-high 17 walks in 54 1/3 innings. Capps made $2.3 million last season. The deadline for teams to tender offers is midnight Friday. Players ..."
Pirates will be busy, just not in marquee market
Comment
December 8
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"If the Pirates exit the Winter Meetings having made nothing but minor moves, there's still a chance some of them could have a major impact. The team isn't chasing any of the marquee free agents -- lower-tier guys such as pitcher Ron Villone are more likely targets. So it's safe to ignore chatter in the lobby of the downtown Marriott on Monday about Jason Bay returning to PNC Park next season in a Pirates uniform. "There may be some people trying to manipulate the process a little bit," general manager Neal Huntington said with a chuckle. However, Huntington expects to be very busy shopping for minor league free agents. "We're aggressive in this market and we always will be," Huntington ..."
Pirates strengthen their pursuit of SS Crosby
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December 8
Foxsports.com
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"The Tigers' signing of Adam Everett is pointing the Pirates toward another free-agent shortstop — Bobby Crosby. The Pirates, not completely satisfied with Ronny Cedeno, are intensifying their pursuit of Crosby now that Everett is off the board, according to major-league sources."
Capps, Doumit in trade talks
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December 8
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Even if the Pirates are not outright shopping any of their players, they are discussing potential trades involving closer Matt Capps, catcher Ryan Doumit and, to a lesser extent, starters Zach Duke and Paul Maholm. Sounds fairly significant, right? Asked about Capps and Doumit yesterday on the opening day of Major League Baseball's Winter Meetings, general manager Neal Huntington replied: "We've had conversations on a number of players, where clubs have asked us if we would consider moving them. Our standard answer is: We're open to any good baseball trade." Remains to be seen if it winds up that way. Capps is one of the Pirates' three players eligible for salary arbitration, along with ..."
Pirates also interested in Tigers free agent SS Adam Everett
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December 7
Michigan Live
 
"The Pittsburgh Pirates are interested in Detroit Tigers free agent shortstop Adam Everett, according to a source familiar with the team. The Pirates apparently are not sold on ex-Chicago Cub Ronny Cedeno as their shortstop. He hit .208 for them last year. Everett said he would like a multi-year deal, but does not seem as bound to that desire as some players. He hit .238 for Detroit last season, solidifying the infield defense. Neither Everett nor his agent could be reached for comment today."
Pirates and Rangers interested in Juan Pierre; Padres shopping Bell and Kouzmanoff
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December 7
CBSSports.com
 
"Trade talks continue to dominate the winter meetings. As CBSSports.com reported yesterday, the Dodgers are trying hard to find a taker for outfielder Juan Pierre, and the Pirates have emerged as a surprising possible partner. Sources said Texas is also interested in Pierre, but since neither the Dodgers nor the Rangers can add any money, a deal would require matching up salaries. The Dodgers are hoping to either get a starting pitcher back for Pierre, who is due to make $10 million in 2010 and $8.5 million in 2011, or free up enough money to add a pitcher from elsewhere. The Padres, sources said, are shopping both closer Heath Bell and infielder Kevin Kouzmanoff. All the trade talks are ..."
Tigers, Bucs among those pursuing SS Everett
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December 7
Foxsports.com
 
"The Tigers and Pirates are among the three teams with the most serious interest in shortstop Adam Everett, according to a major league source. Everett is seeking a one-year deal worth around $3 million."
Interest in Pirates' Duke, Maholm
Comment
December 7
Foxsports.com
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"Pirates starters Zach Duke and Paul Maholm are available, but one person familiar with the team's plans said Neal Huntington will need to be "overwhelmed" in order to trade one of them. Another source said "a few" clubs have checked on Duke and Maholm recently. Both are very affordable, which enhances their appeal: Maholm has $11 million left on his contract through 2011, and Duke will probably earn between $3 million and $4 million next year through salary arbitration"
Cedeno's lapses a central concern
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December 6
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Ronny Cedeno hit .258 with five homers and 21 RBIs after being acquired at midseason.As the Pirates travel to Indianapolis, where Major League Baseball's Winter Meetings begin tomorrow morning, their primary positional concern -- though not the only one -- is finding a shortstop to "push" Ronny Cedeno, as general manager Neal Huntington put it recently. Why the need for a push? Perhaps that is best evident from field level ... "It's just consistency," manager John Russell said this week from Bradenton, Fla. "Ronny has so many tools, as we saw, but he needs to maintain his concentration. You got the sense that he wasn't always locked in." The numbers illustrate that at the plate and in the ..."
Closers being shopped, Cordero, Capps and Bell
Comment
December 6
Foxsports.com
 
"Teams look for a closer will have plenty to talk about in Indianapolis this week. Three proven closers are available in trades, according to early arrivals at the winter meetings. Cincinnati is shopping Francisco Cordero, hopefully that unloading the $25 million he is due the next two years will help ease financial restraints the franchise is facing."
Pirates seeking more pitching options
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December 4
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Add Noah Lowry, J.J. Putz and Kameron Loe to the list of free-agent pitchers the Pirates are pursuing, according to sources close to those talks. And that list surely will grow. Lowry, a 29-year-old left-hander, started for San Francisco in 2003-07 and went 40-31 with a 4.03 ERA but has missed the past two seasons. He had surgery on his left forearm in late 2007, then another the next year to remove a rib and relieve pain in his neck and shoulder. Lowry's agent, Damon Lapa, has charged the Giants with misdiagnosing Lowry for the first surgery, but the team rejected that. The Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners also are interested. ..."
Possible return of Nady among recent inquiries
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December 4
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Xavier Nady was dealt from the Pirates to the Yankees in 2008.An X-Man sequel? The Pirates have made initial inquiries on free-agent outfielder Xavier Nady, as well as reliever Ron Villone and shortstop Bobby Crosby, though none of those inquiries is known to have moved past that stage. In the cases of Nady and Villone, management likely will wait until closer to spring training in search of the best value. Multiple sources confirmed the inquiries. Nady, 31, was a popular, productive player for the Pirates in 2007-08 before being sent to the New York Yankees in general manager Neal Huntington's best trade, the one that netted Ross Ohlendorf, Jose Tabata, Daniel McCutchen and Jeff Karstens. ..."
Pirates among teams asking on Crosby
Comment
December 3
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Crosby, you say? Well, this one does not wear No. 87, but the Pirates are one of six teams to have inquired about free-agent shortstop Bobby Crosby, according to a source close to the talks. Again, this is at the point of inquiry rather than any sort of negotiation or something deeper. Crosby, who will turn 30 next month, batted .223 for the Athletics last season, with eight home runs and 31 RBIs. He generally has shown a good glove, though. And, given his pedigree as the American League's rookie of the year in 2004, he might be viewed as having a chance to resuscitate his career."