[yisman]

Jayson Werthless and Kyle Farnsworthless

keep getting dem checks

[Shortstop]

Oakland gets UM Ben Zobrist and SS Yunel Escobar from Tampa Bay for C John Jaso and two minor league prospects.

[Andy117]

Oakland gets UM Ben Zobrist and SS Yunel Escobar from Tampa Bay for C John Jaso and two minor league prospects.

High level prospects?

[Shortstop]

High level prospects?

One of them, Daniel Robertson, was the A's top prospect. I'm pretty sure he's an infielder.

Not sure about the other player...

[MexicanStallion]

One of them, Daniel Robertson, was the A's top prospect. I'm pretty sure he's an infielder.

Not sure about the other player...

Robertson became #1 Rays prospect according to mlb.com, but they ranked him #85 overall. He's a SS that completed High A last year. 15 HR, 60RBI .310

[Shortstop]

The other player is Boog Powell, not the original "Boog Powell"

Don't think there's any relation...

[EmpireMaker]

The Pirates and Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang are moving close to a deal, sources said.
The sides have been talking about a four-year deal for the power-hitting infielder who had a monster year for the Nexen Heroes last year, hitting 40 home runs and batting .356 in 117 games. Both sides appear intent on getting a deal done.
Kang had been thought to be seeking a four-year for about $5 million a year, and it appears the Pirates are amenable to the length of the deal as their interest is strong. They are also committed to the $5,002,015 bid fee already, presuming the deal gets done.
Kang's agent Alan Nero recently told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "At this point, I feel confident we'll come to an agreement. The process has been very positive."
Kang was a fine shortstop in Korea, and it isn't known yet whether the Pirates plan to utilize him at shortstop or perhaps have him move around and play a few positions. Jordy Mercer did a decent job at short for Pittsburgh last year. The Pirates haven't signed second baseman Neil Walker to a multi-year deal yet, so it's possible Kang could move over and play second base starting next year.
The Pirates were a surprise to win the posting process, as they weren't among the teams to show strong interest prior to bidding.
Kang's huge season last year also included exactly 117 RBI in 117 games, and a 1.198 OPS.
Hyun-Jin Ryu, the Dodgers lefthander, paved the way for Korean stars to come over a couple years ago. But Kang is hoping to become the first positional star to make the transition via the posting process.

[Chi_archie]

Will be interesting how many Korean reporters Kang will have around him in Pittsburgh if he signs

[stevenash]

Oakland, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - The Oakland Athletics acquired infielders Ben Zobrist and Yunel Escobar from the Tampa Bay Rays for catcher John Jaso, minor league infielder Daniel Robertson and minor league outfielder Boog Powell.
To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the A's designated infielder Andy Parrino for assignment.


Zobrist, who made his MLB debut with the Rays in 2006, leaves Tampa Bay as the franchise's all-time leader in doubles (229) and walks (542) and ranks second in games, runs (565), hits (1016) and triples (32).


The 33-year-old Zobrist batted .272 with 10 home runs and 52 RBI in 146 games last year. He started games at five different positions, including 74 at second base, 23 at shortstop, 17 in left field, 16 in right field and seven in center field.
Zobrist is a .264 career hitter with 114 home runs, 511 RBI and 102 stolen bases over 1,064 games.


Escobar hit .258 with seven home runs and 39 RBI in 137 games with Tampa Bay in 2014. His 476 at-bats were his fewest since his rookie season of 2007 (319).


The 32-year-old Escobar is a .276 career hitter with 69 home runs and 393 RBI in 1,074 games with Atlanta (2007-10), Toronto (2010-12) and Tampa Bay (2013-14). Since 2008, he's started 950 games at shortstop, most in the majors.
Jaso batted .264 with nine home runs and 40 RBI in 99 games with Oakland in 2014. His season was cut short due to a concussion for the second consecutive year.


The 31-year-old Jaso returns to the Rays, who selected him in the 12th round of the 2003 draft. He has hit .259 with 32 homers and 182 RBI in 480 career games with Tampa Bay (2008, 10-11), Seattle (2012) and Oakland (2013-14).
Robertson is a .287 career hitter with 29 home runs and 136 RBI in 288 games over three seasons in the minors.
Powell has batted .317 with three home runs and 55 RBI in 177 career games in three minor league seasons.

[koz-man]

Oakland gets UM Ben Zobrist and SS Yunel Escobar from Tampa Bay for C John Jaso and two minor league prospects.

I'm a fan of Zobrist. Helped me win a fantasy league a couple years ago.

Good FB utility guy. He was listed at several positions which was nice.

[koz-man]

Thanks Jim. I will get those points back to ya ASAP.

[Shortstop]

I've heard some talk that Kang would be brought in to replace Neil Walker after he's gone.

This could be false but it makes great sense in my opinion.

Even though Walker is a local guy, I don't think the Pirates will be able to keep him here much longer...

The Pirates and Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang are moving close to a deal, sources said.
The sides have been talking about a four-year deal for the power-hitting infielder who had a monster year for the Nexen Heroes last year, hitting 40 home runs and batting .356 in 117 games. Both sides appear intent on getting a deal done.
Kang had been thought to be seeking a four-year for about $5 million a year, and it appears the Pirates are amenable to the length of the deal as their interest is strong. They are also committed to the $5,002,015 bid fee already, presuming the deal gets done.
Kang's agent Alan Nero recently told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "At this point, I feel confident we'll come to an agreement. The process has been very positive."
Kang was a fine shortstop in Korea, and it isn't known yet whether the Pirates plan to utilize him at shortstop or perhaps have him move around and play a few positions. Jordy Mercer did a decent job at short for Pittsburgh last year. The Pirates haven't signed second baseman Neil Walker to a multi-year deal yet, so it's possible Kang could move over and play second base starting next year.
The Pirates were a surprise to win the posting process, as they weren't among the teams to show strong interest prior to bidding.
Kang's huge season last year also included exactly 117 RBI in 117 games, and a 1.198 OPS.
Hyun-Jin Ryu, the Dodgers lefthander, paved the way for Korean stars to come over a couple years ago. But Kang is hoping to become the first positional star to make the transition via the posting process.

[EmpireMaker]

Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com Mon, 12 Jan 2015 10:34 AM ET
The Nexen Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization announced Monday shortstop Jung-ho Kang will arrive in Pittsburgh on Wednesday to undergo a physical Thursday and will remain in the U.S. if all goes well, per MLB.com.
The announcement comes as a deal between the Pirates and Kang appears imminent. CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reported Friday the two sides were close to a deal. According to ESPN Baseball Insider Jim Bowden, Kang has agreed to a four-year deal worth around $16 million. The contract includes a fifth-year option.
Kang is coming off a 40-homer season for Nexen. The 27-year-old infielder has a career .298/.383/.504/.886 slash line over nine seasons in Korea.

[EmpireMaker]

Fresh off a trio of bold impact moves to rework their entire outfield and the middle of their lineup, the aggressive Padres are still said to be alive for another potential blockbuster, this one involving Philly's ace left-hander Cole Hamels -- although, others teams also are in the mix, and ultimately it isn't known exactly how likely San Diego is to land Hamels, a hometown hero from San Diego.
But while nothing appears imminent, or even necessarily on the front burner, one executive with another team suggested the Padres may be more likely than some others to land Hamels, based on their decent prospect list and obvious resolve to contend in 2015.
Yet another rival exec suggested the Phillies are looking for a "huge" package in return for Hamels, to the point where that exec questioned whether Philly is committed to trading Hamels as they are telling teams they are, there is still good news for the Padres: trade scenarios most recently discussed with San Diego are said not to have included Wil Myers, one of the three big-time slugging outfielders San Diego already acquired and previously rumored to be involved in the Hamels talks.
The more likely scenario would have San Diego sending a prospect package to Philly. The Padres have managed to keep most of their highest rated prospects even after all their many trades, with the top trio of outfielder Hunter Renfroe, pitcher Matt Wisler and catcher Austin Hedges seemingly on everyone's wish list.
The Padres have won wide praise for their aggressive use of a very nice prospect stash to rebuild a lineup that needed help. But the addition of Hamels, a San Diego product, could stamp them as a potential contender, especially if, as expected, they keep top young pitchers Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner.
The Padres, who unsurprisingly don't appear to be in play for big free agent pitchers Max Scherzer and James Shields, have made an unusual number of big trades already, with Justin Upton, Matt Kemp and Myers plus catcher Derek Norris all coming in deals with other teams, and outfielder Seth Smith going, and more trades expected. They tried to make a play for Rays star Ben Zobrist before he was traded to the A's and are listening to interest in remaining outfielders Will Venable and Carlos Quentin. Additionally, they have been linked to available Mets starter Dillon Gee in a FOXSports.com report by Ken Rosenthal.
The Red Sox, Cubs and Cardinals are among other teams tied to interest in Hamels, who is Philly's big trade piece as an unquestioned ace with a contract that expires quite reasonably in four years. Though Hamels' $144-million, six-year contract pays market rate of $24 million on average, the limited length (four years remaining, and $96 million total) makes Hamels extra attractive, especially compared to all the other veterans the Phillies have considered trading this winter, many of whom are overpriced and/or have unpalatable options.
While the normally low-spending Padres already added two expensive pieces in Kemp ($15 million per year considering the Dodgers' contribution) and Upton ($14.25), it appears possible that San Diego may still have a chance to squeeze Hamels into its budget. The Padres are receiving $32 million from LA in the Kemp deal, but while it's been assumed that money might be spaced evenly over Kemp's term, that isn't the case, as it is believed the transfer may be somewhat frontloaded.
It also isn't known whether or how much the Phillies may be willing to pay down Hamels' deal, though that may depend upon the quality of the return package. The Padres got the rival Dodgers to pay down $32 million of the $107 million remaining on Kemp's deal, though it's fair to say Kemp has had more injuries than Hamels, and also a spottier track record.
Hamels, 31, was 9-9 but with a 2.46 ERA for the Phillies last year. The Padres are one of only eight teams to which he can be traded without his consent, and he's believed to be interested in going to a contender, anyway. The longer the winter goes, the more the Padres look like a contender.
An earlier report out of Philly, which accurately suggested Hamels was on the Padres' radar, also suggested Myers could possibly be going to Philly in a potential Hamels deal; but it appears Myers isn't part of discussions, at least not at present. The Padres "acquired Myers to keep Myers, not to use him as a chip," according to someone familiar with their thinking.
The Phillies are looking to rebuild, and while it isn't known which players they have targeted, the Padres still have the goods to make a deal. New Padres GM A.J. Preller hasn't been afraid to trade prospects, but he's managed to save four of his top six ranked prospects in deals thus far. The two top prospects he's traded are shortstop Trea Turner, the player to be named later in the three-team Myers deal (Turner's going to the Nationals), plus pitcher Max Fried, who went to the Braves in the Upton trade.

[Chi_archie]

King Kang!

[koz-man]

The first 2015 workout dates for all 30 teams are listed below.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Team	Pitchers/ catchers	Full squad	Team	Pitchers/ catchers	Full squad
Baltimore Orioles	Feb. 20	Feb. 25	Arizona Diamondbacks	Feb. 20	Feb. 25
Boston Red Sox	Feb. 21	Feb. 25	Atlanta Braves	Feb. 21	Feb. 26
Chicago White Sox	Feb. 20	Feb. 24	Chicago Cubs	Feb. 20	Feb. 25
Cleveland Indians	Feb. 20	Feb. 24	Cincinnati Reds	Feb. 19	Feb. 24
Detroit Tigers	Feb. 20	Feb. 24	Colorado Rockies	Feb. 21	Feb. 27
Houston Astros	Feb. 21	Feb. 25	Los Angeles Dodgers	Feb. 20	Feb. 26
Kansas City Royals	Feb. 20	Feb. 25	Miami Marlins	Feb. 20	Feb. 24
Los Angeles Angels	Feb. 20	Feb. 25	Milwaukee Brewers	Feb. 22	Feb. 26
Minnesota Twins	Feb. 23	Feb. 28	New York Mets	Feb. 21	Feb. 26
New York Yankees	Feb. 21	Feb. 26	Philadelphia Phillies	Feb. 19	Feb. 24
Oakland Athletics	Feb. 20	Feb. 25	Pittsburgh Pirates	Feb. 19	Feb. 24
Seattle Mariners	Feb. 21	Feb. 25	St. Louis Cardinals	Feb. 20	Feb. 25
Tampa Bay Rays	Feb. 23	Feb. 28	San Diego Padres	Feb. 20	Feb. 25
Texas Rangers	Feb. 21	Feb. 26	San Francisco Giants	Feb. 19	Feb. 24
Toronto Blue Jays	Feb. 23	Feb. 27	Washington Nationals	Feb. 21	Feb. 26

[Shortstop]

Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com Mon, 12 Jan 2015 10:34 AM ET
The Nexen Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization announced Monday shortstop Jung-ho Kang will arrive in Pittsburgh on Wednesday to undergo a physical Thursday and will remain in the U.S. if all goes well, per MLB.com.
The announcement comes as a deal between the Pirates and Kang appears imminent. CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reported Friday the two sides were close to a deal. According to ESPN Baseball Insider Jim Bowden, Kang has agreed to a four-year deal worth around $16 million. The contract includes a fifth-year option.
Kang is coming off a 40-homer season for Nexen. The 27-year-old infielder has a career .298/.383/.504/.886 slash line over nine seasons in Korea.

As a Pirates fan, this is very encouraging news!

The first 2015 workout dates for all 30 teams are listed below.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Team	Pitchers/ catchers	Full squad	Team	Pitchers/ catchers	Full squad
Baltimore Orioles	Feb. 20	Feb. 25	Arizona Diamondbacks	Feb. 20	Feb. 25
Boston Red Sox	Feb. 21	Feb. 25	Atlanta Braves	Feb. 21	Feb. 26
Chicago White Sox	Feb. 20	Feb. 24	Chicago Cubs	Feb. 20	Feb. 25
Cleveland Indians	Feb. 20	Feb. 24	Cincinnati Reds	Feb. 19	Feb. 24
Detroit Tigers	Feb. 20	Feb. 24	Colorado Rockies	Feb. 21	Feb. 27
Houston Astros	Feb. 21	Feb. 25	Los Angeles Dodgers	Feb. 20	Feb. 26
Kansas City Royals	Feb. 20	Feb. 25	Miami Marlins	Feb. 20	Feb. 24
Los Angeles Angels	Feb. 20	Feb. 25	Milwaukee Brewers	Feb. 22	Feb. 26
Minnesota Twins	Feb. 23	Feb. 28	New York Mets	Feb. 21	Feb. 26
New York Yankees	Feb. 21	Feb. 26	Philadelphia Phillies	Feb. 19	Feb. 24
Oakland Athletics	Feb. 20	Feb. 25	Pittsburgh Pirates	Feb. 19	Feb. 24
Seattle Mariners	Feb. 21	Feb. 25	St. Louis Cardinals	Feb. 20	Feb. 25
Tampa Bay Rays	Feb. 23	Feb. 28	San Diego Padres	Feb. 20	Feb. 25
Texas Rangers	Feb. 21	Feb. 26	San Francisco Giants	Feb. 19	Feb. 24
Toronto Blue Jays	Feb. 23	Feb. 27	Washington Nationals	Feb. 21	Feb. 26

As a baseball fan, this is even better news!

[EmpireMaker]

PHOENIX -- As the U.S. normalizes relations with Cuba, the Diamondbacks are building relationships of their own.
Seven weeks after signing third baseman/outfielder Yasmany Tomas to a $64.5 million contract, the D-backs have agreed on an $8.25 million signing bonus with 21-year-old Yoan Lopez, according to a major-league source.
The deal will be finalized when Lopez passes a physical exam, which is expected to be administered at the team's Dominican Republic academy.
Lopez, who defected from Cuba last summer and took up residence in Haiti, has the kind of power arm that teams covet. His fastball sits in the mid-90 mph range and has touched 100 mph, according to reports. He also showed command of his four-pitch repertoire in his last partial season with Isla de la Juventud of the Cuban Serie Nacional, where he posted a 3.12 ERA with 28 strikeouts and 11 walks in 49 innings before defecting last summer.
The D-backs saw Lopez, 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, in a private workout against hitters, and their offer beat out other suitors that reportedly included the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. Lopez was cleared to sign by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control last week after already having been cleared by Major League Baseball.
Although Lopez is young and relatively inexperienced, he will be given a chance to win a spot in the Diamondbacks' rotation this spring, joining a host of candidates. Right-handers Josh Collmenter, Rubby De La Rosa, Jeremy Hellickson and Allen Webster and tentatively penciled into the top four spots.
Left-handers Vidal Nuno and Robbie Ray and right-handers Trevor Cahill, Chase Anderson and Randall Delgado are among the candidates for a rotation spot, and left-hander Patrick Corbin (June) and right-bander Bronson Arroyo (July-August) are expected to return from Tommy John surgery in the middle of the season.

[Chi_archie]

I think in 10-15 years MLB will be over 50% international players

truly the most international and BEST pro sport league by far

[koz-man]

As a baseball fan, this is even better news!

Agree.
Like how the Reds, Pirates with the Giants & Phillies getting a day jump on the others. With their P & C reporting on the 19th....

[Shortstop]

PHOENIX -- As the U.S. normalizes relations with Cuba, the Diamondbacks are building relationships of their own.
Seven weeks after signing third baseman/outfielder Yasmany Tomas to a $64.5 million contract, the D-backs have agreed on an $8.25 million signing bonus with 21-year-old Yoan Lopez, according to a major-league source.
The deal will be finalized when Lopez passes a physical exam, which is expected to be administered at the team's Dominican Republic academy.
Lopez, who defected from Cuba last summer and took up residence in Haiti, has the kind of power arm that teams covet. His fastball sits in the mid-90 mph range and has touched 100 mph, according to reports. He also showed command of his four-pitch repertoire in his last partial season with Isla de la Juventud of the Cuban Serie Nacional, where he posted a 3.12 ERA with 28 strikeouts and 11 walks in 49 innings before defecting last summer.
The D-backs saw Lopez, 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, in a private workout against hitters, and their offer beat out other suitors that reportedly included the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. Lopez was cleared to sign by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control last week after already having been cleared by Major League Baseball.
Although Lopez is young and relatively inexperienced, he will be given a chance to win a spot in the Diamondbacks' rotation this spring, joining a host of candidates. Right-handers Josh Collmenter, Rubby De La Rosa, Jeremy Hellickson and Allen Webster and tentatively penciled into the top four spots.
Left-handers Vidal Nuno and Robbie Ray and right-handers Trevor Cahill, Chase Anderson and Randall Delgado are among the candidates for a rotation spot, and left-hander Patrick Corbin (June) and right-bander Bronson Arroyo (July-August) are expected to return from Tommy John surgery in the middle of the season.

I have a feeling there is going to be a lot of talent coming from Cuba consistently from now on...

I think in 10-15 years MLB will be over 50% international players

truly the most international and BEST pro sport league by far

Word!

Agree.
Like how the Reds, Pirates with the Giants & Phillies getting a day jump on the others. With their P & C reporting on the 19th....

I noticed that, too. I wonder why they all don't start on the same day?

[Andy117]

Ken_Rosenthal on Wilpons and #Mets: "This team should not be operating like this and it's gone on for too long."

@Ken_Rosenthal implores #Mets to act like a good team. "Go add a shortstop!"

@Buster_ESPN: "They basically can't add payroll ... It's crazy." #Mets

The Wilpons might be the worst owners in baseball. Really wish they'd go away.

[Robber]

Wilpons just terribly handling mets

[Shortstop]

Ken_Rosenthal on Wilpons and #Mets: "This team should not be operating like this and it's gone on for too long."

@Ken_Rosenthal implores #Mets to act like a good team. "Go add a shortstop!"

@Buster_ESPN: "They basically can't add payroll ... It's crazy." #Mets

The Wilpons might be the worst owners in baseball. Really wish they'd go away.

Wilpons just terribly handling mets

Gotta agree with Ken Rosenthal here. The Mets should be contenders every year, no excuses...

[koz-man]

I noticed that, too. I wonder why they all don't start on the same day?

I guess the Reds could use all the help/time they can get. lol

[EmpireMaker]

General manager Farhan Zaidi confirmed Wednesday that the Dodgers have a strong interest in signing Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada, per MLB.com.
"Moncada, we've scouted extensively. We have the checkbook. Young elite talent in baseball is the most valuable asset to have," Zaidi said in an interview with MLB Network Radio. "To the extent that our evaluation of him matches or exceeds where the market goes, we'll definitely be players for him."
The 19-year-old Moncada could land a signing bonus around $30 million. The Dodgers are doing their due diligence after some recent international signings -- notably Alex Guerrero and Erisbel Arruebarrena -- have yet to pan out.
"We're doing all the homework we can," Zaidi said. "With this type of investment, you have to evaluate the talent and the person, understanding the cultural adjustment they have to make. It's all part of the evaluation we have to make. It'll probably be one of those investments where you don't want to leave any stone unturned."
Some scouts view Moncada as a player with "five-tool potential," per MLB.com. Baseball America's Ben Badler wrote in August that Moncada -- who is a 6-0, 210-pound switch-hitting infielder -- has "more upside" than Cuban outfielder Rusney Castillo, who signed with the Red Sox last summer for $72.5 million.

[Chi_archie]

Gotta agree with Ken Rosenthal here. The Mets should be contenders every year, no excuses...

Cant believe they'll still be paying bobby Bonilla for like 10 more years

[koz-man]

Oakland gets UM Ben Zobrist and SS Yunel Escobar from Tampa Bay for C John Jaso and two minor league prospects.

Officially, Yunel Escobar was a Miami Marlin for 15 days in the fall of 2012. His tenure as an Oakland Athletic didn't even last that long.


Four days after being acquired by Oakland in the Ben Zobrist trade on Saturday, Escobar was flipped to the Nationals for relief ace Tyler Clippard on Wednesday.

The swap is just the latest in a blizzard of moves made by the A's this offseason, but is just the second significant move made by the Nationals since exercising Denard Span's $15 million option and declining the club options on first baseman Adam LaRoche and deposed closer Rafael Soriano way back on Oct. 30.

[Shortstop]

Cant believe they'll still be paying bobby Bonilla for like 10 more years

Ha! I had completely forgotten about that whole situation.

Officially, Yunel Escobar was a Miami Marlin for 15 days in the fall of 2012. His tenure as an Oakland Athletic didn't even last that long.


Four days after being acquired by Oakland in the Ben Zobrist trade on Saturday, Escobar was flipped to the Nationals for relief ace Tyler Clippard on Wednesday.

The swap is just the latest in a blizzard of moves made by the A's this offseason, but is just the second significant move made by the Nationals since exercising Denard Span's $15 million option and declining the club options on first baseman Adam LaRoche and deposed closer Rafael Soriano way back on Oct. 30.

Interesting. It's getting tougher and tougher to follow who is going where these days!

[MexicanStallion]

It looks like players on arbitration, Dextor Folwer asked for the most money at $10.8 million with a counter from Houston for $8.5 million.

[EmpireMaker]

The Pirates have signed infielder Jung Ho Kang to a four-year deal with a club option for the 2019 season, the team announced on Friday. According to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman, the deal guarantees him to make $11 million over four years, with a fifth-year option. The posting price to negotiate with Kang was approximately over $5 million.
General manager Neal Huntington told reporters Kang will likely begin his career as a bench option. Huntington believes he can play third base, shortstop and second base.




"Kang understands (Jordy) Mercer, (Neil) Walker, (Josh) Harrison have earned every opportunity they have," Huntington said, who also added that they have "zero intent to send him to minor-leagues," per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Kang is coming off a 40-homer season for the Nexen Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization. The 27-year-old infielder has a career .298/.383/.504/.886 slash line over nine seasons in Korea.


Best/worst: Pittsburgh Pirates

Snyder: Pirates history doesn't get much better than '79, Willie Stargell and We are Family, though the current crop is rekindling memories of the glory days in the Steel City. Story


Best/worst: Pittsburgh Pirates

Snyder: Pirates history doesn't get much better than '79, Willie Stargell and We are Family, though the current crop is rekindling memories of the glory days in the Steel City. Story

[Shortstop]

The Pirates have signed infielder Jung Ho Kang to a four-year deal with a club option for the 2019 season, the team announced on Friday. According to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman, the deal guarantees him to make $11 million over four years, with a fifth-year option. The posting price to negotiate with Kang was approximately over $5 million.
General manager Neal Huntington told reporters Kang will likely begin his career as a bench option. Huntington believes he can play third base, shortstop and second base.




"Kang understands (Jordy) Mercer, (Neil) Walker, (Josh) Harrison have earned every opportunity they have," Huntington said, who also added that they have "zero intent to send him to minor-leagues," per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Kang is coming off a 40-homer season for the Nexen Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization. The 27-year-old infielder has a career .298/.383/.504/.886 slash line over nine seasons in Korea.


Best/worst: Pittsburgh Pirates

Snyder: Pirates history doesn't get much better than '79, Willie Stargell and We are Family, though the current crop is rekindling memories of the glory days in the Steel City. Story


Best/worst: Pittsburgh Pirates

Snyder: Pirates history doesn't get much better than '79, Willie Stargell and We are Family, though the current crop is rekindling memories of the glory days in the Steel City. Story

Great news! I was happy to hear this earlier today. Hopefully he can play a key role for the Buccos this year...

[koz-man]

DETROIT -- David Price has reached a $19.75 million, one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers, avoiding arbitration.


The Tigers confirmed one-year contracts Friday with Price, right-hander Alfredo Simon and outfielder J.D. Martinez, avoiding arbitration with all three. Right-handed reliever Al Alburquerque is Detroit's only player left in arbitration.

Price's contract is the largest one-year deal for a player who filed for arbitration, topping Max Scherzer's $15,525,000 agreement with the Tigers last year.


Detroit acquired Price in a deadline deal in July, and the move paid dividends when the left-hander held Minnesota scoreless in a division-clinching victory on the final day of the regular season. Detroit won the AL Central for a fourth consecutive year.

[MexicanStallion]

Jerry Blevins requested $2.4 million and was offered $2.2 million from the Nationals when arbitration figures were exchanged.

These are my favorite arbitration figures. How the sides couldn't just settle a 200K difference. Split it and move on to the bigger ones.

[Chi_archie]

Jerry Blevins requested $2.4 million and was offered $2.2 million from the Nationals when arbitration figures were exchanged.

These are my favorite arbitration figures. How the sides couldn't just settle a 200K difference. Split it and move on to the bigger ones.

Wow that is nuts