Monday, February 13, 2012

Monday Update

  • The Bucs and Yanks continue to slog along on the AJ Burnett front. The Bronx Bombers claim that three other teams are in on him; the Pittsburgh FO has to determine if they are, in actuality, bidding against themselves or if Brian Cashman is using their offer to up the ante of the other interested clubs. It's apparent that NY is trying to get a little more than financial relief, as the rumor mill has floated both Garrett Jones and solid prospect Nick Kingham as Yankee targets in the deal. To the Bucs' credit, reports are that they're willing to take on more salary rather give up more talent.
  • Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus ranked his Top 101 Prospects, and the Bucs had a healthy half dozen: Gerrit Cole (9), Jameson Taillon (13), Luis Heredia (42), Josh Bell (43), Starling Marte (56), and Robbie Grossman (76). They're all young, although Marte could arrive anytime and Cole possibly in 2013. All in all, it's been a good year for the Bucco system, according to the baseball media. 
  • Casey McGehee has his arbitration hearing on Thursday, with Garrett Jones soon to follow. The gap wasn't that big between the players and the club. We're wondering if the Burnett discussions have kept the FO busy and kicked the arb guys on the backburner. The only other unsigned NL arb player is Jose Veras, who the Bucs sent to the Brew Crew for McGehee.
  • Tom Singer of MLB.com has a pre-camp, pre-season look at the Buccos.
  • Joe Soriano of Call To The Pen defends Edwin Jackson's decision to sign with Washington for a year, and not because Pittsburgh is such a sad sack destination. He calculates that the Pirates - and everyone else -  low balled him with their offers based on WAR and dependability, and it was in his interest to take the highest one-year deal and try again in 2012.

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