Results tagged ‘ delwyn young ’
Young signs with the Phillies
Former Bucco Delwyn Young signed with a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday. He will also receive an invite to spring training, which is held in Clearwater, Fl.
The Bucs designated Young for assignment on November 19th.
Young has spent the past two seasons in Pittsburgh where he played right field, second base, third base and was also used as a pinch-hitter.
In 206 plate appearances during the 2010 season, Young hit .236 with seven home runs and 29 RBI.
Pirates reach deadline by signing two, cutting four
The Pirates had until 11:59 on Thursday to decide whether to tender/non tender a contract for 2011 to Ross Ohlendorf, Joel Hanrahan, Jeff Karstens, Ronny Cedeno and Lastings Milledge.
Pittsburgh originally had nine players that were facing arbitration this offseason. Wil Ledezma was signed to a one-year deal, while Zach Duke (who has signed a one-year deal plus a mutual option for 2012 with the Arizona Diamondbacks), Andy LaRoche and Delwyn Young were designated for assignment and removed from the roster.
Jeff Karstens agreed to a one-year $1.1 million contract for 2011 (He made $457,000 last year). Karstens went 3-10 with a 4.92 ERA during 19 starts with the Pirates (26 appearances) through 122.1 innings. It is uncertain whether Karstens will remain a starter for 2011 or if he will be used out of the bullpen as long relief.
Ronny Cedeno agreed to a one-year deal which includes and club option for 2012. He batted .256 with eight home runs and 38 RBI with the Pirates in 2010. “We have identified upgrading our infield defense as a top priority and are working aggressively to accomplish that upgrade,’ Frank Coonelly said on Thursday afternoon. The Pirates are rumored to be interested in J.J Hardy and Jason Bartlett and will continue to explore options. Cedeno could be used in a trade or as a utility infielder if the right guy is found. “He has the ability to play the position,” Huntington said. “He shows flashes of the defense. He shows flashes of the offense. At some point in time, the consistency is either going to come or it’s not going to come. There are stretches of time where we feel like it’s just about there, and then we have some games that are less than ideal.”
Ross Ohlendorf was tendered a contract. He had a few stints on the disabled list and was considered a “very unlucky pitcher” in 2010 (referring to his 1-11 record and 4.07 ERA).
Joel Hanrahan was tendered a contract. He finished the 2010 season with a 3.62 ERA and six saves. Hanrahan also struck out 100 batters (a career high) in 69.2 innings.
Lastings Milledge was non-tendered by the Bucs, making him a free-agent. Milledge batted .277 with four home runs and 34 RBI (.320 AVG against lefties) His below average offense along with his lack of power were both concerns of the Pirates.
General Manager Neal Huntington: “We spent a lot of time analyzing Lastings Milledge as compared with the potential alternatives for the expected role and determined it was worth further exploration of the alternatives. We remain open to continuing dialogue with Lastings.”
Argenis Diaz, Donnie Veal and Brian Burres were also non-tendered by the Bucs, becoming free-agents.
Huntington on Donnie Veal: “Everything is on schedule with Donnie’s rehabilitation. We made a tough business decision, but we are optimistic we will be able to re-sign Donnie.”
Laroche, Young are free-agents
Andy LaRoche and Delwyn Young have cleared waivers are now officially free-agents.
The Pirates removed LaRoche and Young from the 40-man designating them for assignment on November 19th.
LaRoche was the Pirates opening day third baseman but lost his job to Pedro Alvarez. He batted .206 with four homers and 16 RBIs last season.
Young hit .236 with seven homers and 28 RBIs primarily as a pinch-hitting role.
Francoeur in a Pirates uni?
Jeff Francoeur became a free-agent on Wednesday after he cleared waivers and refused an assignment to the minors. The 26-year-old batted .249 with 13 home runs and 65 RBI during the 2010 season with both the Mets and Rangers.
Although there has been no reports as of yet, I think Francoeur would make a good fit in Pittsburgh. The Pirates are in need of an everyday right fielder with some power. He is a great defender, great arm (he leads the majors in outfield assists since his major league debut) as well as a good bat –a career .268 hitter. Francouer made $5 million during the 2010 season.
Francouer has made it known he wants to be an everyday player despite crushing lefties (.300) better than righties (.231) in 2010. The Pirates –if they decided to sit him against right handed pitchers on occasions– could use John Bowker or Garrett Jones who both hit better against righties.
If the Pirates could trade Ryan Doumit (owed $5.1 million for 2011) to free up some payroll I think they should sign him. A huge upgrade over Lastings Milledge, Dewlyn Young, and/or any of the others who played there during the 2010 season.
Pearce gets fourth option
Steve Pearce was granted his fourth Minor League option by Major League Baseball. The first-baseman only played 52 games during the 2010 season due to ankle and knee injuries. He was activated from the 60-day disabled list last week due to end of the season knee surgery.
Pearce will enter the 2011 season with one option and will be healthy to fight for a spot in Spring Training. Pearce –if he can stay healthy– could be a utility guy, and/or platoon with Garrett Jones at first-base. If Delwyn Young is non-tendered, Pearce could also serve as a pinch-hitter role.
In 15 games with the Pirates, Pearce batted .276 with five RBI.
Ledezma’s one-year deal, Ohlendorf a super-two
The Pirates made a series of roster moves on Wednesday and one of them was a one-year deal with Wil Ledezma. USA Today is reporting that the deal is for $700,000 (in the majors) and $300,000 (in the minors). Ledezma is out of options and is currently on the 40-man roster.
Ross Ohlendorf is arbitration eligible and has qualified for super-two status. Ohlendorf qualifies a year early and will receive a bigger salary then other players with three years of service time.
To be eligible for super-two status the player must rank in the top 17 percent of players who have two to three years of service time and at least 86 days service time, the previous year. Instead of the usual three years of arbitration, Ohlendorf will be eligible for four years.
The six years of service time are still required and they do not become free agents earlier than other players. Click here for a list of the past “super-two” players.
Ohlendorf made $439,000 for the 2010 season but given the amount of time missed due to injuries, he may not receive as much as other super-two players. Ohlendorf was 1-11 with a 4.07 ERA.
The Pirates have nine arbitration eligible players this season. They include: Zach Duke, Ronny Cedeno, Andy LaRoche, Jeff Karstens, Joel Hanrahan, Wil Ledezma (signed a one-year deal, avoiding arbitration), Ross Ohlendorf (super-two), Lastings Milledge and Delwyn Young.
Q & A with Ronny Cedeno
Ronny Cedeno in in his first full season with the Pittsburgh Pirates and looks to be the everyday shortstop for 2011. The 27-year-old Venezuelan native talked about his 2010 season.
How would you evaluate your 2010 season offensively and defensively?
“I think defensively I’ve been doing okay, but I would like to get better,” Cedeno said. “Defensively I feel good. I’ve been able to concentrate every ground ball, take care of it and make the play. Don’t try to do too much. Just go out there, have fun and do the best you can.
Since Cedeno has been the starting shortstop this season, there has been three starting second baseman –Delwyn Young, Aki Iwamura and Neil Walker. Has it been difficult for Ronny to adjust?
“No. I think it is fun to play different second baseman. The most important thing is to communicate with each other. Every one of them is little bit different so you nee to communicate to do your job.”
Cedeno plays next to a few members of the Pirates “young core” –Pedro Alvarez ad Neil Walker. What are his thoughts on the second and third basemen?
“Those two guys have a lot of talent. They can both be really good players. Neil has had a chance to play a lot of second base this year and he’s becoming consistent over there. And Pedro, he has unbelievable pop. He has to learn a little it more because he’s so young, but when he gets more experience I think he’s going to be a great third baseman for the Pirates.”
When Cedeno was traded from Seattle last season, he said he was happy to be back in the National League.
“Yeah. I still feel that way. The American League is very tough. They don’t throw you as many pitches close to the plate, It’s a lot of off-speed stuff. In the National League, they throw you more fastballs. You just have to make them throw it in the strike one. If you do that you’re going to get fastballs to hit.”
Pirates: First Pitch
Kristy Robinson
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