Notes: Finally, a Few Logs Tossed Into the Hot Stove...Recapping a Few Hectic Days

Well, stuff finally happened:

• The Pirates sent RHP Gerrit Cole to the Astros for a gaggle of youngsters: RHP Joe Musgrove, 3B/1B Colin Moran, RHP Michael Feliz and minor-league OF Jason Martin a day or two after a “fake news” report of a consummated deal between the clubs. The two teams had discussed a Cole deal starting from the 2017 deadline and got back to brass tacks during the winter meetings. Musgrove (the Bucs plan to stretch him out back into a starter's role) and Feliz worked out of the Astro's pen, Moran has had nothing more than a cup o' joe in the league (in his defense, he was injured last year and is also blocked on the corners in Houston), and Martin is a AA prospect/likely depth-4th OF'er piece.
• Two days following the Gerrit Cole trade, the Pirates shipped Andrew McCutchen, in the walk year of a $14.5M contract, and $2.5M to the San Francisco Giants for OF prospect Bryan Reynolds, RHP Kyle Crick and $500K international pool money. Reynolds was a 22-year-old switch-hitter who slashed .312/.364/.462 for the Class A San Jose Giants. Crick, a 25-year-old flamethrower with questionable control, was called up from AAA by the G-Men in June to make his MLB debut. In 30 games, he had no decisions with a 3.06 ERA and 28 K/17 BB in 32 IP.

Cutch, we'll miss ya (Topps 2013 Series 2)

•  Josh Harrison is also on the market with the two New York teams, among others, showing interest in the versatile J-Hay.
• Felipe Rivero signed a four-year/$22M deal to cash in his arb years. He gets $2.5M in 2018, $4M in 2019, $5.25M in 2020, $7.25M in 2021, plus a $2M signing bonus. There are also club options in 2022 and 2023 for $10M with buyouts of $1M in 2022/$500K in 2023. Rivero had filed for an arb hearing as a Super Two, but it appears he traded it in for guaranteed money for him and team-friendly cost certainty for the club. The Pirates confirmed the length of the deal; the financials were reported by @BNightengale of USA Today and confirmed. Also kinda interesting that he dropped Scott Boras in November and went with L. Warner Companies as his agent.
• Korean source @sung_minkim reports that Jung Ho Kang is trying to back-door his visa problems by applying for a work permit through the Dominican Republic. 
• MLB News picked their Top 10 RHP Prospects; Mitch Keller was sixth (Forest Whitley was second...) Keller got the nod as having the highest floor of the 10, a solid recognition.



Killer Keller (photo via MLB Pipeline)

• The Pirates have signed RHPs Tyler Jones and Bo Schultz to minor league deals. Jones, 28, is a closer from LSU who was taken (and returned) by Arizona from the Yankees in the 2016 Rule 5 draft. Schultz, 32, has some MLB experience (0-3, 4.54 in 51 outings with Arizona & Toronto) but was laid up after March, 2017, TJ surgery and probably won't be ready until later in the year. The Bucs are continuing their depth building for the bullpen, and that pretty much sums up their off season activity so far.
• Not good: RH reliever Montana DuRapau, 25, received a 50-game suspension without pay following a second positive test for a drug of abuse. He was promoted to Indy last year.
• IF Engelb Vielma and RHP Shane Carle were DFA'd after the Astro deal. Shane went to Atlanta for a PTBNL or cash and Vielma was traded the Giantsfor a yet unknown return.
• The Tigers have claimed RHP Johnny Barbato, who was DFA'ed for Shane Carle, from the Pirates.
• RHP Brandon Cumpton, who was an up-and-comer in 2013-14 before arm injuries hit, was signed by Texas to a minor league deal.
• IF Steve Lombardozzi signed on as a NRI with the Oakland A's. 
• RHP Vance "Vanimal" Worley inked a NRI deal with the Reds.
• LHP Wade "Frenchy" LeBlanc signed with the Yankees as a NRI. 
• The Brewers signed RHP Ernesto Frieri to a minor deal w/camp invite.
• 1B Justin Morneau is retiring and joining the Twins’ front office after a 14-year major-league career, including a 25-game stint as part of the Pirates 2013 Buctober run.