Results tagged ‘ post gazette ’
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.
Pirates new hitting coach Ritchie discusses young bucs
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette interviewed the Pirates new hitting coach Gregg Ritchie.
The Bucs finished last in the National League in average (.242) and on-base percentage (.304) and third worse in home runs (126). Ritchie, who has spent the past decade as hitting coach with the white sox, has a huge task at hand but is excited to work with Pedro Alvarez, Neil Walker, Andrew McCutchen, Jose Tabata who have plenty of prime years ahead.
“It’s an exciting group,” Ritchie said. “And I’m especially fortunate in that I’ve had a chance to work with all of them closely.”
Ritchie’s plan for the Pirates hitters: “It’s about understanding a guy, having a relationship, having a trust and having a common cause.”
Ritchie expresses the most cautious tinkering with mechanics and has a flexible approach. “What’s in front of your eyeballs? What does the pitcher have to offer? What situation are we in? If there’s a situation where we need to be aggressive, we’ve got to understand that. If it’s a pitcher who doesn’t throw many strikes, we’ve got to understand that. If you work the process and have a team concept that we’re going to be run-producers, all that takes care of itself.”
On whether Pedro Alvarez has a whole in his swing: “If you look at Pedro as he moved from one level to the next, it was a consistent learning process. You’d see him struggle a little bit, then bam! He’d go to the next level, struggle a little bit, then bam! This guy has just made fabulous adjustments. So, no, that’s not a concern at all.”
On whether Neil Walker’s numbers were an aberration: “It’s going to be about repeating the consistency of things. Neil’s a talented guy, and he’s made advances the whole way through the system. There’s no reason why that can’t continue.”
On Jose Tabata hitting only four home runs: “Becoming a consistently good hitter, from a team approach, is everything. All the rest builds and builds. A hitter like Jose, who shows tremendous barrel control, that’s going to be the most important thing. He’s going to continue to get better.”
Walker and Meek receive local awards
No Pirates players received Rookie of the Year Awards (Although, Neil Walker and Jose Tabata did receive one vote each by Pittsburgh-Post Gazette writer Dejan Kovacevic) .Nor will they take home any other post season awards this year.
But they will be recognized with local awards. The Pittsburgh chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America gives out two awards at the end of the season: The Roberto Clemente Award and the Chuck Tanner Award.
Second-baseman Neil Walker received the Roberto Clemente award after a great season with the Bucs. He finished 2010 with a .296 average, 29 doubles, 12 home runs, 66 RBIs and a .349 on-base percentage. The Roberto Clemente award has been given out since 1973 and goes to the player who best exemplifies the standard of excellence established by Clemente.
Pitcher Evan Meek received the Chuck Tanner Award. Meek finished the season with a 5-4 record, 2.14 ERA through 80 innings of work. He also picked up four saves and was named the Pirates lone representative for the 2010 All-Star game. The Chuck Tanner award has been given out since 2006.
Kristy Robinson
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