Results tagged ‘ braves ’
Pirates re-sign Tyler Yates to a minor league contract
According to Matt Eddy of Baseball America, the Pirates have re-signed Tyler Yates to a minor league contract.
Yates missed the entire 2010 season and most of the 2009 season due to his second Tommy John Surgery.
Yates, 33, pitched in just 15 games for the Bucs in the 2009 season, going 0-2 with a 7.50 ERA. He allowed 14 hits, 12 runs (10 earned) through 12 innings. He last pitched for the Pirates on May 15th, 2009.
Drafted in the 23rd round of the 1998 draft by the Oakland Athletics, Yates was acquired from the Braves in May of 2008 for minor league pitcher Todd Redmond.
Yates, in five major league seasons, has a career 5.12 ERA.
Diaz: “I think 2012 can be special”
Matt Diaz is excited for the opportunity to be a part of something special and believes his roots make him a Pittsburgh kind of guy.
“I can’t wait to earn them as fans,” Diaz said. “They’ve been looking for something to cheer for in the summers. They’ve had plenty to cheer for in the winters. I’m ready to be a part of changing things around.”
Four teams were after Diaz, including the Bucs, but he said Clint Hurdle had a huge role in signing with the Pirates.
“The more I talked with Rangers players, they started singing [Pirates manager and former Rangers hitting coach] Clint Hurdle’s praises,” Diaz said. “Everyone was talking great about Clint.”
“Originally I viewed Pittsburgh as a place to go get at-bats and prove that I’m healthy,” Diaz said. “The more I talked to them, the more I realized that I could get at-bats and be a part of something really great. It was just a comfort thing, just a peace thing.”
The Pirates offered Diaz a one-year contract, but he asked for another year because he knew something good was going to happen in the Steel city.
“I said, ‘I would love to come in and help the young guys out as much as I can. But in 2012, I don’t want to be doing this all over again while you are having the time of your life,’” Diaz said. “We can have some fun in 2011 and really surprise some people with the plan they have in place. But I think 2012 can be special.”
Diaz, who at 32 is the oldest player on the roster, will take on a leadership role. He has played and learned from so many great players, he is happy to help the young bucs.
“I’ve been given so much in this game, and I was groomed by some pretty neat veterans in Kansas City and Tampa,” Diaz said. “If I can have some impact there to where I’m remembered after I’m gone, that will be a wonderful thing.
“The key for this young group is to take ownership of this team. It is going to be imperative for the older guys to really help and aid the young guys taking ownership of this team. They have to show that they’re willing to outwork other teams and leave it all on the field.”
Other News and Notes:
- Jose Tabata is hitting .353 (6-for-17) with a 1.165 OPS after his first six games of winter ball in Venezuela.
- Pirates prospect Jarek Cunningham, who was selected in the 18th round of the 2008 draft, will start the new year by blogging. Cunningham will give viewers an inside look at what life is like as a minor league player.
He made his debut for the Gulf Coast League batting .318 with 5 HR’s, and 22 RBI’s in 43 games. Last season, with West Virginia Power, he hit .258 with 12 HR’s and 49 RBI’s in 121 games.
For more information and where to catch his blog, click here.
- MLB’s minimum salary for 2011 will now be $414,000 per year.
Pirates announce two-year deal with Diaz, other notes
The Pirates officially announce a two-year deal with outfielder Matt Diaz. The news of the agreement came a week ago, during the winter meetings. The contract is reported to be worth $4.2 million ($2M in 2010 and 2012 plus a $250,000 signing bonus). Diaz has a career .335 batting average and .533 slugging percentage against left-handers over eight major league seasons.
Diaz will platoon in right with Garrett Jones (.282 hitter against right-handers). Ryan Doumit and John Bowker are also back-up options for the Bucs.
Diaz says he is excited to join the Pirates:
On why the Pirates were the right choice:
“Really Clint Hurdle. Met with him at the winter meetings. I talked to him once on the phone before that. He and Neal Huntington came In and gave a great presentation on where the organization is heading. So that was very important for me to go back and ask them for a second year to be a part of it. I think we are going to surprise some people. I really think by 2012, you’re really going to see this young core of players really mesh together and really make a run at this thing.”
Diaz, who has known Andrew McCutchen since he was in 8th grade, said, “He is the most underrated superstar in baseball.”
On what he thinks about playing at PNC Park: “I like hitting the ball to right center and I like the way the ball carries here. Hopefully it will be a friendly park for me to hit in, a friendly park for me to play defense in and hopefully produce some runs so we can win some games.”
On his dream of playing in a world series: “I know people in Pittsburgh nation will laugh, but, hopefully in the next couple of years we can do that.”
Other News and Notes:
- The Pirates two-year deal with pitcher Kevin Correia should be finalized later this week. In order for him to be put on the 40-man roster, the Bucs must remove someone, as it is full.
- Rob Biertempfel of the Trib reports: The Pirates are stepping up efforts to trade Ryan Doumit, who’s bumped down now to a $5.1 M bench player, backup catcher.
- According to Jesse Behr of Baseball Prospectus, he is “Hearing whispers of a Ryan Doumit-for-Marco Scutaro deal”. Scutaro in 2010 with the Red Sox hit 11 home runs, 56 RBI with a .275 average.
Pirates still interested in Kawakami
The winter meetings may have ended but the Pirates are not done. There are still talks between the Bucs and the Braves for starter Kenshin Kawakami. The Baltimore Orioles are no longer interested in the right-hander.
It is uncertain how much money Atlanta would be willing to eat in the trade. Kawakami is due to earn $6.67 million.
Kawakami, 35, has a 8-22 record with a 4.32 ERA over the past two seasons.
Diaz is officially a Pirate
The Pirates have officially announced the signing of outfielder Matt Diaz.
Diaz has agreed to a two-year deal worth $4.25 million.
The 32-year-old crushes lefties, batting .335 batting average and has a .533 slugging percentage in his eight year big league career.
Diaz is expected to platoon in right field with Garrett Jones, who hits well against righties — a .282 career average.
On a Atlanta radio show, Diaz said that Clint Hurdle is the real deal and the Pirates are going to surprise people.
Bucs reported to sign Matt Diaz, other options
The Pirates have agreed to a two-year deal with outfielder Matt Diaz reported to be worth $4.2 million . The Bucs did not confirm the deal -which still needs to be finalized.
It has been reported that Diaz was offered several other two-year deals worth more money, but turned them down to play on the East Coast (close to his family).
Diaz has played most of his career in left field, but would play in right field for the Bucs. In his five year career with the Atlanta Braves he batted .305.
The Pirates were looking for a bat to crush lefties. Diaz in his career against left handed pitching: .335 AVG, .373 OBP, .533 SLG with a .907 OPS.
Despite the Diaz signing, Neal Huntington is not done.
“We’ll always look for upgrades and always look for ways to improve the club,” Huntington said. “We’ve got to be smart about it, but it may come at the cost of prospects. There may come a time where it may come at the cost of a lot of prospects. At this point we’re always looking for upgrades.”
The Bucs are interested in signing another starter or two. Huntington also said he would be willing to trade Evan Meek or Joel Hanrahan if the deal was right.
“Too many options are never a bad thing, and that’s where we’re trying to go,” Huntington said. “We’re trying to add depth. We’re trying to give ourselves choices to make. We love power with strikeouts, but short of that, sometimes a variety of looks and a variety of stuff can help give a manager options.”
“I think a lot of people are beating up our bullpen because of the unknown,” Huntington said. “There is some power there. There is also some risk. It makes us feel like we don’t have to go seek an upgrade. But if there is one there that makes sense for us, we’ll certainly look.”
Day two of the Winter Meetings: Rumors/signings
- The Pirates are rumored to be interested in Aaron Heilman.
- Rob Biertepfel: Pirates General Manager says “door is open” to free agent Right hand pitcher Chan Ho Park returning, but adds there’s been no contact so nothing is immenent
- General Manager Neal Huntington: “We feel good about the direction the club is headed. We continue to be aggressive in regards to improving our team. We hope to have things finalized (either) this week or next.”
- Phillies and Marlins appear to be interested in Ex-Bucco Delwyn Young.
- According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Pirates have showed lukewarm interest in reliever Hiroyuki Kobayashi, only on a minor league deal.
- Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports: Pirates showing interest – and making offers – on a number of Free-agent relievers. Were in on Putz. Also looking at guys like Gregg.
- Dejan Kovacevic updates on on Orlando Cabrera: Pirates did make inquiry on free-agent Shortstop Orlando Cabrera but are NOT interested. Mentioned earlier I was unsure of interest level.
- According to Dejan Kovacevic, the Pirates may be keeping ex-bullpen coach Luis Dorante to be the Latin American field Cordinator.
- Has the interest between Braves Kenshin Kawakami and the Bucs cooled? The Pirates were rumored to be interested in the starter but since then have signed Kevin Correia and Scott Olsen.
The Pirates are not the only teams in the mix for Kawakami. Rob Biertempfel of the Trib is reporting that: There is buzz in the lobby that the Orioles and Braves have discussed a possible trade.
- Jerry Crasnick of ESPN said this via Twitter: Kevin Correia’s wife just had a baby, so it might be a few days before he has his physical & deal with Pirates becomes official
- The Pirates have acquired on Free-agent Shortstop Orlando Cabrera. With the Cincinnati Reds in 2010, Cabrera batted .263 with four home runs and 42 RBI. He committed 11 errors in 121 games.
- Pittsburgh-Post Gazette’s Dejan Kovacevic said: Scout for NL team (Not the Pirates) said “great signing” regarding Kevin Correia. “He will be a one or two there.”
- The Nationals will be meeting soon with Brandon Webb’s agent according to MLB Trade Rumors. (10:25 AM)
- According to Jesse Behr of Baseball Prospectus, the Pirates aren’t asking much for Ryan Doumit.
- Ed Price of Fan House said the Texas Rangers met with Brandon Webb’s agents Monday night (The Pirates talks with the Cy Young award winner have cooled off).
Winter meetings updates/rumors/signings: Day one
I will continue to update this post throughout the day on any rumors and signings that happen during the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida.
*5:10 PM-
Ken Rosenthal tweeted this: Pirates looking at free-agent RHP Kevin Correia, among others.
Correia went 10-10 with a 5.40 ERA in 28 games (26 starts) with the San Diego Padres. In eight seasons (combined with the San Francisco Giants and Padres) he has a record of 36-43 with a 4.57 ERA. Correia,30, averages 6.6 strike outs per nine innings.
*4:30 PM-
Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington when asked about reports that teams have asked about Andrew McCutchen: “I wouldn’t always believe what you read.”
*4:22 PM-
General Manager Neal Huntington says Ryan Doumit is Pirates starting right fielder for 2011 “as we sit right now”. He also would do some catching.
*3:55 PM-
According to Dejan Kovcevic of the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette, the Pirates are “deeply interested” in right hand pitcher Jeremy Accardo.
Accardo, who turns 29 on December 18th, appeared in five games (6.2 innings) with the Toronto Blue Jays during April 2010. He allowed six runs on 12 hits with three strike outs and three walks. Accardo was non-tendered by the Jays on December 3rd and was due to make $1.08 million.
In 41 games with the Blue Jay’s Triple-A team, Accardo went 2-2 with a 3.64 ERA and had 24 saves. In 42 innings pitched he allowed just one home run, walked 14 and struck out two.
*3:08 PM-
According to Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston, A couple of teams have approached the Pirates about Andrew McCutchen (not the Red Sox) Bucs would have to be “overwhelmed” in order to trade the center fielder.
*2:01 PM-
Agent for Scott Olsen told MLB Trade Rumors that “nothing is done yet” on one-year deal with the Pirates.
*1:45 PM-
According to Jen Langosch of MLB.com, The Pirates have tentatively agreed to a one-year contract with Scott Olsen. The deal is pending a physical (which would happen later this week) and is incentive-laden.
Olsen, 26, became a free-agent in November after being out righted off the Washington Nationals roster.
In 17 games (15 starts) with the Nats in 2010, he went 4-8 with a 5.56 ERA.
Olsen is coming off two injury plagued seasons with Washington. In his previous three seasons with the Florida Marlins he had at least 31 starts and pitched at least 176.2 innings.
His career stats (six seasons) is 37-49 with a 4.85 ERA in 130 games (127 starts).
An official announcement could come by Friday.
*1:03 PM-
According to Jen Langosch of MLB.com, the Pirates have shown interest in Kenshin Kawakami. The Braves right hander is set to make $6.667 million in 2011, but Atlanta are interested in parting ways with the starter, covering most of the salary. It’s possible the Bucs could pay $1-2 million and not have to trade any player in the deal.
Kawakami, 35, went 1-10 with a 5.15 ERA in 18 games (16 starts) with the Braves in 2010.
The Pirates are also rumored to be eyeing shortstop (he can also play second and third base) Brendan Ryan of the Cardinals. Ryan hit .223 with two homers and 36 RBI in 139 games.
*12:17 PM-
The Pirates talks with starting pitcher Brandon Webb have gone cold according to sources. The Bucs have not contacted Webb since November 22nd. Justin Duchscherer, Jeff Francis and Scott Olsen are still on the Pirates radar.
The Pirates are willing to trade Evan Meek or Joel Hanrahan for a “significant offer” but they are not shopping them around.
*11:40 AM-
According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette, an informed source told him the Pirates “would love” to trade Ryan Doumit.
Walker named to Rookie All-Star team
Pirates second baseman Neil Walker was named to the Topp’s Major League Rookie All-star Team.
It is the second straight year a Bucs player has been named to the starting roster. (Andrew McCutchen was chosen in 2009)
Walker is the 17th Pirates player to earn a spot on the team since 1959 when Topp’s starting handing out the award.
In 110 games with the Bucs, Walker hit .296 with 12 homers, 29 doubles, 66 RBIs and 57 runs scored.
The complete roster for the Topp’s Major league Rookie All-Star team is: 1B Gaby Sanchez, 3B Danny Valencia, SS Starlin Castro, OF Austin Jackson, OF Mike Stanton, OF Jason Heyward, C Buster Posey, RHP Stephen Strasburg, LHP Jaime Garcia and RP Neftali Perez.
Penguins Sidney Crosby takes BP at PNC Park; News and Notes 9/9
On Wednesday afternoon before the game against the Braves, Penguins Sidney Crosby took batting pratice at PNC Park. He was joined with other memembers of the Penguins team as well. Crosby, shown in this video here, even blasted a few home runs.
Hey Crosby, if your looking for second job?..
- Before the game on Wednesday against the Braves, the Pirates presented Bobby Cox with a check for $5,000 toward his charity of choice (the Homeless Pets Foundation). It was the last time Cox would be a manager for the Atlanta Braves at PNC park. He ended his career 57-56 against the Pirates.
- Brandon Moss is excited to be getting an oppurtunity to play with the Pirates again saying: “I didn’t think I was going to have this opportunity and had pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I was going home. For some reason this season, the way I was playing in Triple-A, made me really see that I belong here and that I can be a really good major league baseball player. To have the opportunity to be here, when you didn’t think you were going to have it, it just feels great.”
- According to Elias Sports Bureau, Tuesday night was only the third time in the last 30 seasons that a team that was at least 40 games under .500 shut out a team that was at least 20 games over .500. The Tampa Bay Rays did it against the New York Yankees in 2001, and the Pirates did it against the New York Mets in 1985. (-Trib Live)
- Neil Walker extended his hitting streak to 15 games, the longest by a Pirates rookie since Rennie Stennett’s 18-game streak in 1971.
Kristy Robinson
Recent Comments