As per MLB.com, the Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired 32-year-old outfielder Jason Michaels from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named later. The Indians will also pay the majority of Michaels $2.15 million salary, essentially admitting they were fleeced when they signed him to that deal a few years ago. (Michaels was recently DFA’d […]
Filed under: Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates | No Comments »
Well, we’re one month into the 2008 season, and super-agent Scott Boras is already prepping clubs for a fleece of monumental proportions. This time, it involves New York Mets starting pitcher Oliver Perez. Perez, 27, is rumored to be seeking a 5 year deal worth roughly $60 million or above. Yes folks, that works out […]
Filed under: New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates | 3 Comments »
In a brief Q&A with Dejan Kovacevic, we learn that the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writer believes that, although ”nothing has been broached yet,” the Pirates are likely to approach centerfielder Nate McLouth about a contract extension this year - his last season before arbitration.
This gives us a good reason to bring up the 26-year-old McLouth’s blazing start. In […]
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Dejan Kovacevic of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette confirms that the reason the Pirates released pitching prospect Olivo Astacio is because the 23-year-old attacked his own teammate with a freaking bat earlier this week.
Based on information from two sources, Kovacevic tells us that, “Astacio and the other player were having an argument…and Astacio struck the player’s leg with a swing of his […]
Filed under: Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates | 2 Comments »
According to Jenifer Langosch at MLB.com, right-hander Matt Morris has decided to finally call it quits, announcing his retirement from the game. As reported here at Fleece Factor, Morris was released by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. The team will still pay him for the remainder of this season and a $1 million buyout on […]
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We’re only 25 games or so into the 2008 season, but there are a number of teams who may have already begun shopping some of their higher priced veterans, according to Ken Rosenthal of Foxsports. Here is a brief breakdown of some of the players’ names we may be hearing all summer in regards to trade rumors:
Cincinnati Reds: […]
Filed under: Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers | No Comments »
UPDATE: (4/27) 12:53pm (EST) - As per Yahoo Sports!, the Bucs had released Matt Morris, and are on the hook for roughly $10 million. Said manager John Russell, “Matt Morris is a true professional. He’s had a great career. He wanted to help us win, but it just wasn’t working out.” He should have added, […]
Filed under: Pittsburgh Pirates | 3 Comments »
Buster Olney recently wrote a piece for ESPN The Magazine where he named five players that could now be, or might potentially soon be, on the trading block. He gives “selling points” for each player, as well as things interested teams should be wary of. Click the link to get all the great insight for every player.
The […]
Filed under: Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers | 5 Comments »
As per Kevin T. Czerwinski at MLB.com, the Houston Astros have signed right-handed pitcher Alay Soler to a one-year deal. The split deal is worth $400,000 ($12k in minor leagues), and will officially be signed on Monday. Soler will then spend the next 2 weeks in extended Spring Training, and then report to AAA-Round Rock. The […]
Filed under: Houston Astros, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates | No Comments »
In keeping with today’s trend of dollar signs, Yahoo Sports! released a piece today (citing Forbes magazine) detailing how much each major-league franchise is worth. No real shocker that the Yankees were at the top of that list, valued at $1.306 billion, a rise of 9 percent from the previous year. The Bronx Bombers were […]
Filed under: Boston Red Sox, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Tampa Bay Rays | 2 Comments »
The 2008 payrolls were released earlier this month by Major League Baseball, and there were a few surprises. What isn’t much of a surprise is that the New York Yankees were once again #1 on that list, topping $209 million (yet another payroll record).
Of interest though is that both the Detroit Tigers and New York Mets have leap-froged the […]
Filed under: Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals | No Comments »
As per Jenifer Langosch at MLB.com, utility-man Craig Wilson is making his return to Pittsburgh, after signing a minor-league contract with the Pirates organization earlier today. Wilson, who played for 6 seasons with Pittsburgh before being traded to the Yankees 2 years ago, will report to AAA-Indianapolis.
Wilson, who had shown interest in returning to the […]
Filed under: Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates | No Comments »
Just wanted to get you caught up with some injury updates from around the league:
Tigers relief pitcher Fernando Rodney did not have a good bullpen session, and is still feeling quite a bit of pain in his shoulder. No timetable has been made for his return, but one can expect late April at the earliest.
Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson […]
Filed under: Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres | No Comments »
UPDATE: Dejan Kovacevic has the details. The deal covers the 2008 and 2009 seasons. It increases Capps’ 2008 salary from $435K to $500K, and will pay him $2.35 million next season. The closer also receives a $250K signing bonus. All in, it’s a 2-year, $3.1 million deal. Kovacevic also writes that “the team and Capps remain open to […]
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Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that “the Pirates and Adam LaRoche have reached an impasse in discussions aimed at a long-term contract, and it might be insurmountable.”
Talks have been ongoing since at least early January and, despite agreeing on a one-year deal for the ‘08 season that will pay the 1st basmen $5 million, […]
Filed under: Pittsburgh Pirates | 1 Comment »
According to the International Herald Tribune, the Atlanta Braves have dealt RP Tyler Yates to the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor league pitcher Todd Redmond. Yates, 30, most likely wasn’t going to make the Braves’ opening day roster and was out of options. The Braves already have RHP Chris Resop and Blaine Boyer who have both […]
Filed under: Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates | 1 Comment »
According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates are expected to buy out newly acquired reliever Byung-Hyun Kim today.
The move is a surprise as the Bucs just signed the right-handed sidearmer to a one-year deal on February 25th. But apparently Kim has been a drag for the Pirates ever since. As Kovacevic writes, Kim took five days […]
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UPDATE: (3/16) 9:21pm (EST) - As per Paul Meyer of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the 3 guaranteed years are worth $8 million. In addition, Snell will receive a $600,000 signing bonus. The two option years are said to be worth around $16 million in total, plus standard incentives.
Mar 16, 5:36pm (EST) - According to MLB.com, the […]
Filed under: Pittsburgh Pirates, _Polls | No Comments »
The Fleece Factor crew continues to work hard to complete in depth previews of all thirty major league teams as the 2008 season quickly approaches. These MLB team outlooks should be finished soon, at which point we will put ourselves on the line and make our own individual predictions. So stay tuned for those!
We have now completed […]
Filed under: Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, _Team Outlooks (2008) | No Comments »
The Pittsburgh Pirates fleeced pitcher Zach Duke yesterday, renewing his contract but slashing his salary by $10,000, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Duke will make just $400,000 in 2008.
As we wrote in our team outlook of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Duke was awful in 2007 so he really can’t complain about this fleecing. The […]
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UPDATE: (3/10) 11:42am (EST) - Dejan Kovacevic checks back in, and he says that Pirates have formally extended a long-term offer to Snell. The deal is likely to be for 4 years, which would run through his arbitartion seasons.
Mar 5, 11:26am (EST) - According to Dejan Kovacevic at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates are in serious […]
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Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is confirming that the New York Mets have contacted the Pittsburgh Pirates about outfielder Xavier Nady.
Injuries to the Mets have left them thin in the outfield and Nady, a right-handed hitter who can also play 1st base, would provide the Mets with a temporary replacement for Moises Alou (out 4-6 weeks […]
Filed under: New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates | 1 Comment »
Count the Pittsburgh Pirates as likely Hillary Clinton supporters, because the last time the club had a winning season was the summer that her husband Bill was first nominated by the Democratic party - 1992. It’s hard to believe, but fifteen long years ago, a younger Jim Leyland led a team featuring a skinny Barry Bonds, a […]
Filed under: Pittsburgh Pirates, _Polls, _Team Outlooks (2008) | 22 Comments »
Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal has delivered a new column with some solid rumors. Let’s break ‘em down:
Mets officials remain unconcerned with the rash of injuries the team has experienced this spring. With Opening Day roughly a month away, they feel they’ll be ready. As for the Tigers’ Marcus Thames, he is apparently not being moved. […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates | No Comments »
According to the New York Daily Bews, Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez is still having problems with his right foot. Hehas felt uncomfortable when trying to push off during his pitching sessions. This is becoming a tired routine for the Mets, as El Duque’s inability to stay healthy is becoming increasingly frustrating. This coming from the […]
Filed under: Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates | 1 Comment »
Baseball America has issued it’s list of the 100 best prospects heading into the 2008 season. I’ve listed the top 25 below, but definitely check out Baseball America’s list in it’s entirety. And don’t forget to also check out MLB Fleece Factor’s very own interview with Baseball America’s Jim Callis.
Without further ado, here are the top 25 according […]
Filed under: Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays | 12 Comments »
UPDATE: (2/25) 11:52am (EST) - As per Dejan Kovacevic at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the contract calls for an $850,000 base salary, with $1 million in performance bonuses, but is not guaranteed.
UPDATE: (2/20) 10:40pm (EST) - According to Rotoworld.com, the deal is for 1 year, worth $850,000.
Feb 20, 11:48am (EST) - Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh […]
Filed under: Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants | 3 Comments »
Here is the latest from Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal:
Rosenthal is impressed by how the Reds were able to land two FA pitchers for only $4M of base salary - Josh Fogg ($1M) and Jeremy Affeldt ($3M). He notes that their combined salary is only 1/12th of what the Mariners will pay Carlos Silva over the next 4 […]
Filed under: Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays | 2 Comments »
Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Houston Astros are closing in on a one-year deal with right-handed pitcher Shawn Chacon.
The Astros have been linked to Chacon for about a week now. The Pittsburgh Pirates were also interested in bringing back Chacon as a reliever, but were hesitant to pay an alleged $4 million asking pricing. 80% of our readers […]
Filed under: Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates | 1 Comment »
According to Alyson Footer at MLB.com, Ed Wade and the Houston Astros have made an offer to free-agent pitcher Shawn Chacon. But as of this afternoon, Wade has not yet heard back from the right-hander’s agent. “I’m talking to his agent but we haven’t reached any agreement yet,” Wade said.
The piece notes that it is […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates | 1 Comment »
As per Metsblog.com, the New York Mets have signed pitcher Tony Armas Jr. to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.
Armas Jr. was once a very noted prospect, primarily because he was one of the players the Red Sox sent to the Expos in exchange for Pedro Martinez. Armas appeared in 31 […]
Filed under: New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates | 1 Comment »
Some veterans signed deals today, so here is a round-up as per rotoworld.com:
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed 1B Doug Mientkiewicz to a minor-league deal and invited him to spring training. With Adam Laroche already entrenched at first-base, Douggie seems to have little chance of having an important role for the 2008 Pirates. His glove is still one […]
Filed under: Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants | 2 Comments »
According to the New York Post, the Mets may be interested in free agent 1B/OF Craig Wilson. Wilson could provide some right-handed pop off the bench for the Willie Randolph, and can play right field as well as first base. In 2004, Wilson hit .264 with 29 HR and 82 RBI in a career year […]
Filed under: Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates | 1 Comment »
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Freddy Sanchez and the Pirates have finally agreed on a two year extension, with a 3rd year option.
The deal is tricky, so I’ll let Kovacevic explain: “Sanchez is expected to get roughly $4.5 million in base pay for the coming season and about $6 million for the second season. For […]
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Last time we checked in on the Pirates search for a setup man, they were debating a potential one year, $4 million deal with Shawn Chacon. Today, John Perrotto of the Beaver County Times writes the Pirates are still considering the pros and cons of that offer. Perhaps they should listen to our readers, of whom […]
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