Notes: Pirates Moves; Minor League Churn & News; Ex-Bucs & MLB Snips

Let the fun begin... 

Notes:

• The Pirates reinstated RHP JT Brubaker and INF Oneil Cruz off the 60-day IL and back onto the 40-man roster. 
• OF/DH Cutch, RHP Vince Velasquez and LHP Jarlin Garcia are officially free agents; no word on whether there have been any sit-downs with them yet.
• The results of earlier moves: the team outrighted RHP Yerry De Los Santos to Indy (he then opted for free agency) while OF Miguel Andujar was claimed off waivers by Oakland and LHP Angel Perdomo was taken by Atlanta.
• According to MLBTR's Top 50 free agent list (Tim Dierkes, Anthony Franco and Steve Adams), the Pirates are in the mix for pitchers Jack Flaherty & Sean Manaea, OF Jason Heyward, and 1B Brandon Belt. Ben Cherington has stated that the Bucs will be looking for starting pitching and at first base; there's also been smoke regarding the club looking at middle infield guys, particularly multi-positional plug-ins.
• David Bednar is the only Pirates candidate for the All-MLB team.

David Bednar - image/Pirates

• The GMs meeting took place in Scottsdale this week. While it doesn't generate much news, this gathering evaluated rules changes, provided the first agent-FO dance for FAs and laid the groundwork for trades down the road. The schmoozing was cut a day short, though - a stomach virus swept through the venue, and the league ended the meetings on Wednesday. Before it broke up, Ben Cherington said talks are still open with Cutch and they're evaluating whether DWL ball or a more controlled environment like the Florida complex is a better option for Oneil Cruz. It was the same ol' list for 2024 targets as above.
• Minor league guys of note who are service-time FAs this year: 1B/OF Mason Martin, OF Cal Mitchell, LHP Braedon Ogle, OF Lolo Sanchez, RHP Tahnaj Thomas, and OF Ryan Vilade. Thomas was the most highly touted of the group.
• Gerard Gilberto of milb.com picked its Pirates organizational All-Stars, the minor leaguers who had the best performance at their position in '23. The players selected were: C Endy Rodriguez (Indy), 1B Miguel Andujar (Indy), 2B Temarr Johnson (Greensboro), SS Jack Brannigan (Greenboro), 3B Nick Gonzales (Indy), OFs Jase Bowen (Altoona), Tres Gonzales (Greensboro) & Juan Machada (DSL), RH-SP Jared Jones (Indy), LH-SP Anthony Solometo (Altoona), and RH-RP Ryan Harbin (Greensboro). 

Jared Jones - 2023 photo Julio Aguilar/Getty

• Altoona's GM Nate Bowen and Greensboro's Prez/GM Donald Moore were among the eight finalists for the Minor League Exec of the Year, but neither took the gold.
• Clint Hurdle is Ron Washington's choice for his bench coach with the Angels.
• Steven Brault retired after seven big league seasons, six spent with the Bucs.
• RHP Nick Burdi, who the Pirates released after TJ surgery in 2020 and pitched for the Cubs last year, has declared for free agency. 
• Craig Counsell jumped from Brew Crew bossman to become the Cubs skipper, and with good reason - his contract was a reported 5-year, $40M deal.
• The BBWAA announced the finalists for their four major awards; no Buccos, but Gerrit Cole is up for the AL-Cy Young.