Pirates to sign Doumit Monday

The Pirates and catcher Ryan Doumit have reached an agreement on a three-year deal with an option for two more years.

Doumit is expected to sign the deal Monday in Pittsburgh after taking a physical.

The deal will take Doumit, 27, through his three years of arbitration and possibly two years into free agency.

ESPN.com is reporting that could could range between $20-30 million though that has been unconfirmed.

Doumit hit .318 with 15 home runs and 69 RBI last season.

Pirates name new play-by-play man

The Pirates hired Tim Neverett as their new play-by-play announcer Thursday.

The 42-year-old Neverett worked for FOX Sports Net Rocky Mountain, serving as a pre- and postgame analyst and part-time play-by-play announcer for Rockies games. Neverett also served as an announcer for a number of other sports including college football, basketball and arena football.

"We conducted an exhaustive search that included more than 200 qualified candidates, many of whom are major league quality broadcasters," Pirates president Frank Coonelly said. "Tim's ability and experience, combined with his work ethic, passion for baseball and desire to make a positive impact in the community, made him the ideal addition to our broadcast team."

He also works as a college football and college basketball play-by-play announcer for Versus and The Mountain West Conference Sports Network.

He has worked the past four Olympic Games, has a talk show on ESPN Radio 560 and has been a talk show host on the Sporting News Radio Network.

Neverett, 42, began his baseball broadcasting career in 1985 with Pittsburgh’s Double-A affiliate in the Eastern League. He was 19 when he had the opportunity to fill in calling radio play-by-play of Nashua Pirates games.

Neverett and his wife, Barbara, have three sons ages 14, 12 and 9. He is a graduate of Emerson College in Boston where he lettered in baseball for four seasons.

Notes: Michaels gone, Wigginton on radar

One of the Pirates free agents has found work elsewhere for next season.

Jason Michaels – he is baseball – signed a one-year contract for $750,000 according to MLB.com.

Michaels batted .228 with eight home runs and 44 RBI in 228 at bats with Pittsburgh after being acquired from Cleveland May 8 for a player to be named later.

Also, multiple reports indicate the Pirates are one of four teams interested in signing Ty Wigginton, who was not offered arbitration by the Astros.

Wigginton, who played in Pittsburgh in 2004 and 2005 and was acquired from the Mets in the Kris Benson deal, had 12 home runs and 49 RBI in 115 games over his time in Pittsburgh.

Last season, Wigginton hit .285 with 23 home runs and 58 RBI for the Astros last season.

Bye, Bye Bautista

The Pirates non-tendered relief pitcher Denny Bautista Friday, not offering salary arbitration. That means that Bautista will become a free agent.

Though Bautista, a midseason pickup who general manager Neal Huntington viewed a slow-rish, potentially high reward, had a good fastball, his control was a problem with 28 walks to counteract 34 strikeouts.

Seven other eligible players – pitchers Paul Maholm, Zach Duke, John Grabow and Tyler Yates - first baseman Adam LaRoche, outfielder Nate McLouth and catcher Ryan Doumit – have received arbitration offers.

The Pirates have reportedly began long-term contract talks with Maholm, McLouth and Doumit this past week.

Also, I think the signing of Ramon Vazquez is another smart, safe, though not terribly exciting move by Huntington, as has been his M.O. since taking over as GM more than a year ago.

I do like that Vazquez is actually coming off a career season in which he batted .290 in 300 atr bats with six home runs and 40 RBI.

The signing also covers the Pirates in two ways. If the Pirates do eventually trade shortstop Jack Wilson, they have someone who can step in with experience and someone not named Brian Bixler. If they keep Wilson, which remains a possibility, they have a Chris Gomez type whose a little younger with a little more pop in his bat.

I like the second scenario better than the first. I'm not sure I can by Vazquez playing 140 games and getting 500-plus at bats. I do, however, like a platoon of he and Wilson for a year with the hopes the Pirates can develop another shortstop in the minors.

Pirates trade Paulino

The Pirates traded former starting catcher Ronny Paulino to the Philadelphia Phillies for minor-league catcher Jason Jamarillo.

Paulino hit .212 with two home runs and 18 RBIs in 40 games last season. He lost his starting job by the end of spring training to Ryan Doumit and never got it back. He was banished to the minors.

Jaramillo, a former top prospect, hit .266 with eight home runs and 39 RBI for Class AAA Lehigh Valley.

Day Three: CC to NY

Day Three of the Winter Meetings started with a bang as the Yankees will sign pitcher CC Sabathia to the richest deal for a pitcher in baseball history.

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, Sabathia will sign for seven years, $160 million. That eclipses the six years, $137 million Johan Santana signed for last year with the New York Me ts.

Isn't this supposed to be a bad economy?

Funny thing is, both the Mets and Yankees are asking for public help to finance their new stadiums.

Day Two: Yankees ready to buy

Here are some more notes from Day Two at the Winter Meetings. Again, all are reports from different web sites and news agencies:

The Yankees are willing to spend a ton of money to upgrade their pitching rotation, so much so that they are going after not one, not two, but three big-name pitchers.

The Yankees reportedly want to sign the top three free-agent pitchers on the market: CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe.

The Associated Press is reporting that Yankees GM Brian Cashman left the meetings in Las Vegas to head to San Francisco to talk with Sabathia.
* Speaking of pitchers, the on again, off again saga of Jake Peavy appears back on again. Multiple teams again appear to be involved in the trade, at least the Padres, Cubs and Phillies. If it is a complicated deal, it may not be completed until after the Winter Meetings.

* Pirates general manager Neal Huntington wouldn't say that any players on his team are untouchable. Apparently other teams feel the same way because the Braves were asking about both Nate McLouth and Paul Maholm.

Relax Pirates fans (the five of you that are left), there is talk the club will try to sign the duo plus Ryan Doumit to long-term contracts.

Day two: a trade, other signings

The second trade of the Winter Meeting was recently completed, as reprted by the Associated Press.

The Reds traded outfielder Ryan Freel and two minor leaguers to Baltimore for catcher Ramon Hernandez.

Also, the Dodgers have reached agreements with third baseman Casey Blake and infielder Mark Loretta, who the Pirates coveted.

Day two: News and notes

Here are some more notes from Day Two at the Winter Meetings. Again, all are reports from different web sites and news agencies:

* Two Pirates notes. 1. Ian Snell is getting interest from Atlanta and Washington. The Braves also appear interested in Paul Maholm. 2. The Pirates are one of three teams interested in relief pitcher Derek Turnbow.

* It looks like the Brewers and San Francisco Giants have become players for CC Sabathia, though the Yankees and all of their millions are still in play.

* Cleveland is very close to signing Kerry Wood to a contract, likely two years.

* The Cubs might not be a lock to get Jake Peavy after all, although there's so much smoke with this and has been, I can't see this not happening.

Day two: Things heating up early

Here are some early notes from Day Two at the Winter Meetings. Again, all are reports from different web sites and news agencies:

* Nothing new to report on a Jack Wilson trade.

* There could be a four-way trade involving the Cubs, Padres, Orioles and Phillies which eventually gets Jake Peavy to Chicago. The Cubs might have to eventually give up outfielder Felix Pie and pitcher Jason Marquis among others to make it happen.

* An ex-Pirates pitcher could be headed back to the N.L. Central. The Cardinals are reportedly very interested in Oliver Perez for a role in their starting rotation.

* A huge trade could be brewing that would send Jeff Francoeur from Atlanta to Kansas City for pitcher Zach Grienke. That deal would be great for both teams. The Braves would bolster their rotation and the Roylas would make yet another solid addition.

* Toronto, Cleveland and the L.A. Dodgers are kicking the tires on former Pirates pitcher Kris Benson.

* The Mets are very close to signing closer Francisco Rodriguez. The deal is reportedly for three years and around $37 million.

One more time on Day One

A couple of last notes for the end of Day One of the Winter Meetings. All are courtesy of different reports around the Internet:

* The Red Sox have become very interested in A.J. Burnett. However, it looks like the Yankees have the best offer so far.

* The Dodgers have made an offer to Casey Blake at three years and $17 million.

* Jake Peavy could be involved in a three-way trade involving the Phillies.

* CC Sabathia has met twice with the Yankees. He has also met with the Red Sox and Milwaukee is still slightly in the running. The West Coast teams – Dodgers and Angels – appear very high on Sabathia's list.

Burnett might be first to sign

It's looking as if pitcher A.J. Burnett will be the first big-name pitcher to sign, perhaps by the time the meetings are over.

The Yankees and Atlanta Braves reportedly are the two major players for Burnett. The Braves have reportedly put in a four-year, $60 million deal with a vesting option while the Yankees have offered four years, $64 million.

* Also, the Pirates and Arizona appear to be the two teams in the mix for free-agnet infielder Mark Loretta.

* One player who might not get the kind of money expected for a big-time power hitter is outfielder Adam Dunn. Players like Raul Ibanez are getting more talk at the meetings than Dunn, the modern-day Dave Kingman.

Pirates in world Series – Don't bet on it

A great note from Associated Press writer Ronald Blum at the Winter Meetings, which are being held at the Bellagio Hotel.

Inside of the Bellagio Race and Sports Book, the team names are listed for odds to bet on who will win the 2009 World Series. Boston and the Chicago Cubs are the early favorites at 5-1, followed by the Yankees and L.A. Angels at 6-1.

Twenty six teams are listed on the board, four are not – San Diego, Washingotn, Kansas City and, you guessed it, Pittsburgh.

Apparently, the Pirates are such a longshot, they don't even count.

Pitchers in demand at Meetings

There are several big name pitchers who have been the early talk of the meetings and two could be headed to the National League Central next season, though not with the Pirates of course.

Reportedly:
* San Diego general manager Kevin Towers said Monday that h will either deal Jake Peavy to the Chicago Cubs or to noone at all. Peavy is one of the top pitchers in baseball, but is owed $63 million over the next four seasons and he has a no-trade clause.

* St. Louis is interested in Toronto pitcher A.J. Burnett.

* The New York Mets have offered closer Francisco Rodriguez a three-year contract, but it appears Rodriguez wants at least four years. Rodriguez set the all-time single-season mark for saves last season.

* Dodgers' GM Ned Coletti said CC Sabathia told him he is very interested in joining the Dodgers.

Please keep checking back regularly for more updates.

Wilson still a Pirate – for now

The Winter Meetings have started in Las Vegas and shortstop Jack Wilson is still a Pirate.

Since I am not in Vegas, all of the information I put on here, which most will be rumors, will have the prefix "Reports from Vegas" or "Reportedly" since multiple outlets generally have the same information, be it ESPN, Fox Sports, or other newspapers covering the meetings including the Pittsburgh ones.

With that in mind, Wilson remains a Pirate largely because the Detroit Tigers, one of the suitors in hot pursuit of a shortstop, have signed Adam Everett.

Another report says that Minnesota might jump into the picture. The Los Angeles Dodgers remain one of the teams interested in wilson and the feeling is mutual considering Southern California is Wilson's home.

Keep checking in for more updates as the meetings continue. It could be a very busy week.

Wilson could get traded soon

Shortstop Jack Wilson might be traded very soon, perhaps before the Winter Meetings begin.

The Newark Star-Ledger is reporting that Wilson has been traded to the Detroit Tigers. However, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, no such deal has been made. Wilson has a restricted no-trade clause and the Tigers are on that list, meaning Wilson would have to approve a trade to Detroit.

Multiple published reports have the Pirates in heavy talks with the Dodgers about dealing Wilson to his hometown team in Los Angeles, but the Dodgers have balked at all of the Pirates requests.

Look out Loretta?

Multiple reports state the Pirates are heavily pursuing free-agent infielder Mark Loretta.

The 37-year-old played with Houston last season and batted .280 with four home runs and 38 RBI. If the Pirates sign him, it would take away someone who has hit the Pirates hard in the past. Loretta has a .328 career average against the Pirates.

I'm not sure what purpose this serves other than a veteran stop-gap. Any deal likely would only be for one year, one plus and option or two max, something I don't think would happen. Yes, the Pirates will likely deal shortstop Jack Wilson but does putting a 37-year-old there to fill the position help if the Pirates don't get a shortstop back in return?