There weren’t many big rumors surrounding the Pittsburgh Pirates in today’s Winter Meetings. That’s not unexpected, since their main focus will be adding a starting pitcher, and the starting pitching market won’t open up until Jon Lester signs, which could be in the next day. Here are the smaller scale updates from day one of the Winter Meetings.
**Rob Biertempfel says that the Pirates inquired on Jeff Samardzija and John Danks, but that a deal doesn’t seem likely since both teams are looking for MLB talent. Jeff Passan says that the White Sox and Athletics were talking about Samardzija, including who they might be talking about in return.
Sources: If the White Sox do deal for Jeff Samardzija, return would be Marcus Semien and prospects. A's would slot Semien in at shortstop.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 9, 2014
Susan Slusser says that the A’s are targeting young shortstops in deals.
Beane confirms #Athletics targeting young shortstops in deals.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) December 9, 2014
The only young shortstop the Pirates have is Jordy Mercer, and it wouldn’t make sense to deal him. As for Danks, that doesn’t seem like the type of pitcher they should be going after.
**The Pirates did claim a player today, taking Josh Lindblom from the Oakland Athletics. Bill Brink has a quote from Neal Huntington saying Lindblom could come in and compete as a multi-inning reliever in the bullpen. Here is Lindblom’s player page.
**The Radhames Liz deal isn’t official yet. Brink quotes Huntington, saying that the holdup “is more administrative in nature”, and that they’re working through details of the contract.
**I’ve mentioned several times that the trade for Sean Rodriguez will probably be completed after the Rule 5 draft. Typically when a player is dealt for a PTBNL at this time of year, the player to be named is a guy who is eligible for the Rule 5 draft. Teams wait until after the draft to see which players weren’t selected. Biertempfel confirms that this is the case.
#Pirates trade for @SeanJRodriguez1 likely finalized Thursday. Rays will choose minor leaguer after Rule 5 draft.
— RobBiertempfel (@RobBiertempfel) December 9, 2014