A few rumors from John Perrotto earlier this evening via Twitter:
-The Pirates are interested in Mark DeRosa on a minor league deal, according to Perrotto. We heard that they checked on him last week. Perrotto adds that he is believed to be looking for a major league deal somewhere, and that the Pirates would view him as a contingency plan if Pedro Alvarez struggles again.
-The Pirates like the idea of signing Nate McLouth because they don’t feel that Gorkys Hernandez is ready for the majors.
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Tim is the owner and editor in chief of Pirates Prospects. He started the site in January 2009, and turned it into his full time job during the 2011 season. Prior to starting Pirates Prospects, Tim worked with AccuScore.com, providing MLB, NHL, and NFL coverage to various national media outlets, including ESPN Insider, USA Today, Yahoo Sports, and the Wall Street Journal. He also writes the annual Prospect Guide, which is sold through the site. Tim moved to Bradenton in 2013, and will be providing live coverage all year of the Bradenton Marauders, GCL Pirates, instructs, mini camp, Spring Training, and lunches at Mixon's Fruit Farms.
December 5, 2011 at 10:20 pm
Ready or not, I would probably prefer Gorkys. Regardless of the 1B situation, keep Jones as the 4th OF to start the season. Allow him to platoon with Hague at 1B to start the year and bring up Gorkys when he is “ready.”
Don’t forget about the Rule V draft in a few days. That may give us a 5th OF option as well (along with Jones) that would hold us over until Gorkys gets called up.
December 5, 2011 at 10:34 pm
good point patrick about the rule 5 draft that everybody seems to have forgotten about
December 6, 2011 at 5:22 am
Not sure anyone’s forgotten about it, there just are usually very few if any quality bats since the rules change that allowed an extra year of protection.
December 6, 2011 at 6:19 am
Last I checked, they had a full roster. Unless they cut somebody they won’t be able to select anyone.
December 6, 2011 at 9:21 am
McLouth isn’t ready for majors, would rather have Hernandez.
December 6, 2011 at 5:33 pm
looks like Mclouth and Betermit will be added for bench strength. Nate has really struggled for two years with the Braves. Dont know much about how Betermit might fit. Could these be minor league contracts?