Sep 29, 2008 11:33 AM Posted by mvuk The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced the club has relieved pitching coach Jeff Andrews and first base coach Lou Frazier of their duties. The announcement was made by Neal Huntington, Pirates Senior Vice President and General Manager. A name that is already surfacing as a possible candidate is former Oakland A's and NY Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson. He is a former Pirate pitcher and actually graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School. His father was former Pirates general manager Pete Peterson.
Sep 22, 2008 8:43 AM Posted by mvuk In a moving that's shocking to just about everyone, the Pirates and #1 draft pick Pedro Alvarez have reportedly agreed on a new contract. Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was the first to report today that Alvarez has signed a four-year major league contract worth a guaranteed $6,355,000. By giving him a major league contract, the Pirates must now clear a spot on the 40-man roster once he reports. The orginal contract that the two sides agreed on was worth $6 million and wasn't a major league deal. According to Kovacevic, Alvarez would still receive a $6 million bonus, but it will be payable over 4 years. From there, Alvarez would receive salaries of $400,000, $500,000, $550,000 and $700,000. The report says that those numbers only qualify for time spent on the Pirates' major league roster. For time spentin the minors, Alvarez would earn a yearly salary of $87,500. Also, there are two club options beyond the four years: the Pirates retain the rights to tender Alvarez a contract worth $1.63 million in the fifth year if he is in the majors. But, Alvarez can void that deal if he is arbitration-eligible, which would happen if he's spent three full years in the majors. If in the fifth year of the deal, Alvarez is still in the minors, the club can exercise an option that pays $700,000 at the major league level, $500,000 in the minors for that year and next. Sep 17, 2008 4:11 PM Posted by mvuk The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced that the club has come to a two-year working agreement with the Class-A West Virginia Power of the South Atlantic League through the 2010 season. The Power play in Appalachian Power Park, which opened just four years ago at the beginning of the 2005 campaign. The announcement was made by Neal Huntington, Pirates Senior Vice President and General Manager.
“We are very pleased to move to Charleston and re-establish Pirates roots with a great community,” said Huntington. “It is an opportunity for us to have another of our affiliates close to Pittsburgh, be associated with a quality ownership and front office group and develop players in a beautiful facility.”
Today’s announcement marks the return of Pirates affiliated baseball with the city of Charleston, West Virginia. From 1971 through 1976, the Charleston Charlies were Pittsburgh’s Triple-A affiliate in the International League. From 1978 to 1979, the city of Charleston was Pittsburgh’s Single-A entry in the Western Carolinas League. Aug 27, 2008 2:52 PM Posted by mvuk At the Pirates’ request, the Office of the Commissioner today placed Pedro Alvarez on Major League Baseball’s Restricted List. The Pirates were forced to request that Pedro be placed on the Restricted List because we were informed by his agent, Scott Boras, that Pedro will not sign the contract to which he agreed on August 15. Boras further informed us that Pedro will not report to the Club unless we renegotiate his contract and agree to pay him more than the $6 million signing bonus to which he agreed.
“The Major League Rules provide that a player who refuses to sign a Uniform Player Contract to which he has agreed and report to the signing Club shall, upon a report of the signing Club, be placed on the Restricted List until he signs a contract reflecting the terms to which he has agreed. Such a player may not sign a contract with or play for any other Club. While demanding that we renegotiate his contract and pay Pedro more than the $6 million signing bonus to which Pedro agreed, Mr. Boras has contended that the contract we reached with Pedro was consummated after the August 15 deadline. This claim was not raised on the evening of the 15th when we informed Mr. Boras that Major League Baseball had confirmed that the contract was submitted in a timely fashion. Mr. Boras asserted this claim several days later, after all of the draft signings had become publicized.
“The Pirates are confident that the contract reached with Pedro Alvarez was agreed to and submitted to Major League Baseball in a timely fashion and properly accepted by Major League Baseball. In fact, the contract between the Kansas City Royals and Eric Hosmer, another Boras client, was submitted to the Office of the Commissioner after our contract with Pedro was submitted. Mr. Boras is apparently satisfied with the $6 million bonus that he secured for Mr. Hosmer and has not challenged the validity of that contract. Mr. Boras has been informed that if he pursues a claim that our contract with Pedro was not timely he puts Eric Hosmer’s contract with Kansas City in jeopardy.
“The Pirates made several attempts to commence negotiations immediately following the draft and were willing and ready to agree to pay Pedro a $6 million signing bonus from the very outset. Predictably, however, Mr. Boras refused to engage in any negotiations at all until shortly before the August 15 deadline and even then an agreement was reached only after Pedro took control of the negotiations.
“Regrettably, we are not surprised that Mr. Boras would attempt to raise a meritless legal claim in an effort to compel us to renegotiate Pedro’s contract to one more to his liking. We are, however, disappointed that Pedro would allow his agent to pursue this claim on his behalf. Pedro showed tremendous fortitude and independent thinking when he agreed to his contract on August 15.
“The Office of the Commissioner has assured us that we have a valid contract with Pedro and that it will vigorously defend any claim to the contrary. Despite our disappointment, we continue to believe in Pedro Alvarez the person and the baseball player and remain excited to add Pedro to our system. We will sit down with Pedro and his family as soon as Mr. Boras’ claim is rejected to chart a new and much more productive start to Pedro’s career with the Pittsburgh Pirates.” Aug 25, 2008 2:22 PM Posted by mvuk The Pirates today acquired catcher Robinzon Diaz from the Toronto Blue Jays as the player to be named in the August 21 deal that sent infielder Jose Bautista to the Jays.
The 24-year-old right-handed hitting backstop has hit .285 (57-for-200) with 11 doubles, four home runs and 26 RBI in 57 minor league games this season. He also appeared in one game with Toronto as the designated hitter and went hitless in four at bats at Tampa Bay on April 23.
Diaz began the 2008 season with Triple-A Syracuse and has spent a majority of the season with the Chiefs. He was on the disabled list with a right ankle sprain from May 3 through July 16 and hit .386 (17-for-44) while playing 15 games on a rehab assignment with the GCL Blue Jays from June 27 through July 16. Robinzon was reinstated from the D.L. and was assigned to Class-A Dunedin, where he hit .320 (8-for-25) in six games before re-joining Syracuse on July 24.
The Dominican Republic native was originally signed by Toronto as a non-drafted free agent on November 19, 2000. He captured the Appalachian League batting title with a .374 average in 2003 and was named to the league's postseason All-Star team as a catcher. A year later, Diaz was selected to the midseason and postseason All-Star teams in the South Atlantic League while batting .287 with 20 doubles and 42 RBI in 105 games with Charleston (WV). He was also selected to participate for the World team at the 2004 MLB All-Star Futures Game. Aug 12, 2008 2:37 PM Posted by mvuk The Pittsburgh Pirates announced today that progress on construction of the club’s new Latin American headquarters and training complex in the Dominican Republic continues at an impressive pace and remains on target to open in time for the start of Dominican Summer League play in May 2009.
Since the Pirates Chairman of the Board Bob Nutting announced the team’s intentions to build the complex in January, the club has pushed the project forward on an aggressive schedule. The process began immediately with clearing the 46-acre property located in the municipality of El Toro and has been followed by the design and leveling of the playing fields, as well as installation of irrigation systems and fencing. Construction of the complex’s clubhouse, administration offices and dormitory also continues to take shape with the completed foundations and construction of the first stories of each.
Last week, Director of Pirates Field Operations Manny Lopez traveled to the Dominican Republic to oversee the installation of the sod playing surface for the complex’s two-and-one-half fields, as well as to train the staff that will be maintaining the fields.
“We are extremely pleased with the progress and pace of the construction of our new complex thus far. Once complete, it will be recognized as one of the best major league complexes in the Dominican and should give us a significant advantage in our efforts in the region,” said Nutting. “In fact, the plans for the new complex and the increase in the Latin American operations budget has already started to pay dividends with the prospects we have signed over the past month.”
The Pirates announced last month they have signed a number of Latin American prospects during the current international signing period, including shortstop Yonathan Barrios, a 16-year old who was universally rated as Columbia’s top prospect.
“Finding and developing talent in Latin America is a top priority for our ballclub,” said Nutting. “This complex demonstrates our long-term commitment to having strong operations in the Dominican Republic and throughout Latin America.”
The complex will serve as the new headquarters for the Pirates Latin American baseball operations, as well as a training and housing facility capable of holding more than two full teams. It will feature weight rooms, covered batting cages and pitching mounds, bullpens, trainers’ rooms, classrooms, computer and video training rooms, conference rooms, administration offices and a dormitory that will be able to house and feed 90 players, coaches and personnel. Aug 9, 2008 11:50 AM Posted by mvuk Jose Tabata, the centerpiece of Pirates/Yankees on July 26th, was officially added to the AA/Altoona Curve's roster. Tabata, a native of Venezuela, was acquired by the Pirates along with pitchers Jeff Karstens, Dan McCutchen and Ross Ohlendorf in a trade for pitcher Damaso Marte and outfielder Xavier Nady. The 19-year old Tabata was 5-for-11 (.455) with two home runs, seven RBI’s and four runs scored during a four-game rehab assignment with rookie-level Bradenton this past week. Tabata becomes just the second 19-year old in Curve history. The only other teenager to play for Altoona was Andrew McCutchen, who joined the Curve at the age of 19 in August 2006. Jul 26, 2008 2:23 PM Posted by mvuk The Yankees will be sending RHP Dan McCutchen, RHP Jeff Karstens, OF Jose Tabata and RHP Ross Ohlendorf to Pittsburgh for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte.
LHP Phil Coke and RHP George Kontos are not in the deal.
Dan McCutchen, RHP (25 years old): AAA/Scranton Wilkes/Barre....Selected in the 13th round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft...drafted by the Yankees out of the University of Oklahoma, where he ranks among the all-time school leaders in strikeouts...was previously selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 12th round of the 2005 draft, by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 28th round of the 2004 draft and by the Yankees in the 27th round of the 2003 draft.....In 2007, Combined at Class A Advanced Tampa and Double-A Trenton to go 14-4 with a 2.47 ERA in 24 appearances (23 starts) with A Tampa and Double-A Trenton...tied for second in the organization in wins and ranked third in ERA...recorded 103K and only 33BB in 142.0IP....
Jeff Karstens, RHP (25 years old): AAA/Scrnton Wilkes/Barre.....Selected by the Yankees in the 19th round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft....Was 1-4 with an 11.05 ERA in seven games (three starts) over three stints with the Yankees in 2007 (4/21-29; 8/1-15; 9/11-9/30)...
Jul 26, 2008 2:22 PM Posted by mvuk The Pirates replaced Xavier Nady's spot on the roster this afternoon by recalling OF/1B Steve Pearce from AAA/Indianapolis. Pearce will be in uniform and available for tonight's game with San Diego. Coming into the season, the 25-year old was the #2 ranked prospect in the Pirates minor league system. In 93 games this season with Indy, Pearce hit .258, with 11 HRs, 54 RBI's and 26 doubles. Many attribute his early season struggles to the Pirates switching him back and forth between the outfield and first base. Last season was when Pearce became a legit prospect with the organization. When you finish the season with combined stats of .333 average, 31 HR's, 113 RBI's and 40 doubles, you're bound to get noticed. In 2006, he hit .273 with 26 HR's, 98 RBI's and 40 2B's. I hope the Pirates plan on playing him everyday in right field instead of platooning him with Jason Michaels. Let's find out if Pearce is for real or just another Pirates prospect that shines in the minors but can't produce in the big show. Pittsburgh Sports Insider believes the Pirates will replace Marte's roster spot with newly acquired RHP Jeff Karstens. That move should be announced later tonight or early tomorrow. Jul 25, 2008 9:32 PM Posted by mvuk My first impression is that Neal Huntington didn't get enough for his two biggest trading chips. The deal looks to be Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to the NY Yankees for AAA RHP Ross Olendorf, AA LHP Phil Coke, AA RHP George Kontos and AA OF Jose Tabata. The centerpiece of the trade is Tabata, who is the 2nd highest rated prospect in the Yankees organization. I'll admit I know nothing about these players, however, my feeling is the Pirates should've held out for either Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy. Instead, here are the four players coming to the Pirates organization.
Jose Tabata: Signed as a non-drafted free agent on 8/12/04...entered the 2007 season ranked as the Yankees' second-best prospect by Baseball America...also rated as the "Best Hitter for Average" in the Yankees' minor-league system...was previously honored by Baseball America as the Yankees third-best prospect in the Yankee organization in 2006...was also named the "Best Hitter for Average" among all players in the Yankees' minor-league system. Was selected to participate in the 2006 All-Star "Futures" Game on 7/9 in Pittsburgh (was 1-for-3)...was also namedto the South Atlantic League All-Star Team...played in 18 games and posted a .288 batting average with Caribe in the Venezuelan Winter League.
Phil Coke: Selected by the Yankees in the 26th round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft. Currently with AA/Trenton, Coke is 9-4, with a 2.60 ERA. In 2007 Was 7-3 with a 3.09 ERA in 17 games (16 starts) with Class A Advanced Tampa...was named Florida State League "Pitcher of the Week" for the period ending 7/15, throwing his first career complete-game shutout on 7/14 at St. Lucie (9.0IP, 8H, 0ER, 1BB, 5K). Coke is 26 years old, so, I don't consider him an elite prospect.
George Kontos: Currently is 3-9 with a 3.77 ERA with AA/Trenton. Selected by the Yankees in the fifth round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft...at Northwestern in 2006, started the most games of any Wildcat starting pitcher (16) and ranked second in the Big Ten with 84 strikeouts, setting new career high...in high school was a three-year varsity baseball and golf letter winner...also lettered in basketball...was honored as the 2003 Illinois state baseball Gatorade Player of the Year...also earned first-team all-state by the Illinois Coaches Association and Chicago Sun-Times and Central Suburban Player of the Year.
Ross Ohlendorf: Currently is 1-1 with a 4.03 ERA with AAA/Wilkes-Barre. He also appeared in 25 games with the Yankees. Acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks with RHPs Luis Vizcaino and Steven Jackson and INF Alberto Gonzalez in exchange for LHP Randy Johnson and cash considerations on Jan. 9, 2007...signed as Arizona's fourth-round selection in the 2004 June free agent draft...Following the 2007 season, following the season, was tabbed by Baseball America as the Yankees' ninth-best prospect. | |