Day 1 of the MLB Winter Meetings in San Diego is winding down and the Pirates have their sights set on making a significant move while they’re there.
The Pirates have made it clear that they are in on free agent Francisco Liriano, who helped lead the team to back-to-back playoff appearances. Other free agents like this year’s NL Wild Card starter Edinson Volquez remain on the table as well, along with other names.
The Pirates are one of many teams in on these names, along with the Twins, who had talks with the agents for Liriano and Volquez as reported by LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
2. Twins remain interested in Francisco Liriano, but it’s hard to believe they would surrender a draft pick for compensation.
— LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) December 8, 2014
Also heard the Twins looked into Edinson Volquez
— LaVelle E. Neal III (@LaVelleNeal) December 8, 2014
Extending the qualifying offer to Liriano could be the Pirates saving grace when it comes to contract negotiations for the left-handed starter.
There were also reports that the Twins met with Brett Anderson’s agent on Monday. Anderson could be another candidate to pitch in Pittsburgh.
The Cubs signed right-handed starter Jason Hammel to a 2-year/$20 million contract which was the only pitching signing of the day.
The free agent pitching market could heat up tomorrow as John Lester is expected to make his decision on who to sign with and for how much. That should start a chain reaction of signings as the market would then be set for a starter.
Young back with Pirates
The Pirates announced that they have added former Pirate Kevin Young and former Red Sox manager Grady Little to the staff. Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington told the PG’s Bill Brink reporters at the Winter Meetings where they will be working.
Huntington said Grady Little will advise minor league staff, Kevin Young will work with players. Could help Alvarez at 1B.
— Bill Brink (@BrinkPG) December 9, 2014
Young was the Pirates first basemen from 1993-95 and 1997-2003 posting a slash line of .259/.324/.437 and a .762 OPS with 136 home runs, 229 doubles, 17 triples and 583 RBI in 1150 games.
Little managed the Red Sox between 2002-2003 and the Dodgers between 2006-2007 taking Boston to the ALCS in 2003 and LA to the Division Series in 2006.
Talks with Liz “held up”
Huntington told Brink and reporters in San Diego that talks with free-agent pitcher Radhames Liz are held up, but shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Huntington said Liz’s physical was part of holdup, but main issues were “administrative,” involving contract language.
— Bill Brink (@BrinkPG) December 9, 2014
The Pirates have one spot open on the 40-man roster and could fill it with Liz or a Rule-5 draft pick this week.
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(Photo Credit: MLB)
