The Pittsburgh Pirates went into the 2014 MLB Winter Meetings with a goal to upgrade their pitching staff and by the end of the 3 1/2 day schedule, they seemed to have done just that.
The week started off slow with the only acquisition being a waiver claim of former A’s minor league left-handed starter Josh Lindblom.
Things did pick up, however, when the club was able to re-sign Francisco Liriano to a 3-year/$39 million contract hours before the free agent pitching market was established.
The timing of the re-signing couldn’t have come at a better time for the Pirates as other names such as Brandon McCarthy (4-yr/$48 mil), Justin Masterson (1-yr/$9.5 mil) and Ervin Santana (4-yr/$55 mil) signed for higher contracts after Jon Lester established the market with a 6-year/$155 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.
Pirates General Manager later went on MLB Network and said,
“Francisco probably left money on the table to come back to Pittsburgh.”
That does, in fact, seem to be the case as the Pirates appear to have signed Liriano for much less than market value.
The club also boosted their bullpen at the meetings by acquiring left-handed reliever Antonio Bastardo from the Phillies for minor league starter Joely Rodriguez.
Alvarez involved in trade talks
Rumors that Pedro Alvarez could be sent to the Marlins surfaced earlier Thursday morning by MLB.com Pirates reporter Tom Singer.
The talks had Alvarez going to Miami for starter Nathan Eovaldi.
Hearing #Marlins try for Morneau may be falling apart. Could renew Alvarez-Nathan Eovaldi talks. #Pirates #MLB
— Tom Singer (@Tom_Singer) December 11, 2014
That rumor was later corrected by the PG’s Bill Brink.
Had heard #Marlins had some level of interest in Alvarez, but this Nate Eovaldi thing isn’t happening.
— Bill Brink (@BrinkPG) December 11, 2014
Pirates in preliminary talks to extend Neil Walker’s contract
John Perrotto of the Beaver Co. Times and Sports Weekly reports that the Pirates have begun preliminary discussions on extending second basemen Neil Walker’s contract. Although, he reports the negotiations are “very preliminary”.
ICYMI: For @bctimes: #Pirates seek long-term extension with Walker http://t.co/jFpo5fLAI6 #MLB
— John Perrotto (@JPerrotto) December 11, 2014
Brink also reports that a Walker extension could surpass fellow second basemen Howie Kendrick’s contract.
Worth noting on Walker: Exec said possible extension could exceed Howie Kendrick’s 4 yrs/$33.5 mil.
— Bill Brink (@BrinkPG) December 11, 2014
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