SB Nation User Blog: Thunder

Freddy Sanchez re-ups with Giants

Thunder — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:11:10 -0000

Freddy Sanchez re-ups with Giants

Freddy Sanchez comes to agreement with the San Francisco Giants on a two-year, $12 million contract.

More on the Perry Hill situation

Thunder — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:23:57 -0000

As some had indicated...Perry Hill wants to continue coaching...just not with the Pirates. Certainly with the statements we have now seen from Hill and management...mainly Huntington...it appears that any family concerns are not the main problem.

I see two possibilities...

1) There is a problem between management (read Huntington and Coonelly) and underlings. Buckley (minor league pitching coordinator) left...under somewhat uncertain circumstances. Now it appears that Hill and the management team were not on the same page. Whether it be promises that were made before he signed...or something he knows he was going to be expected to do next year...there is obviously enough hard feelings for Perry not to return.

2) It's about the money. This one I find hard to swallow. Coaches aren't millionaires...at least most of them. I've seen Dave Duncan anywhere between $800 K and $1M. Rudy Jaramillo signed with the Cubs today for 3 years/$2.4M. So...if it was about money...can't imagine it would be more than a couple of hundred grand. Russell is at $800K as manager. If that small amount of money is a problem...the Pirates are in deep trouble.

My guess...possibility #1 is real close to the truth...and we may never find out exactly where the problem is...but there is one.

Perry Hill Not Returning

Thunder — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:13:19 -0000

Colin Dunlap reports that Perry Hill is not going to be coaching with the Pirates in 2010. It sounds like he will not be coaching at all during the 2010 season. The Pirates have reportedly left the door open for him to return to the team at some point if he so chooses. In addition, Indianapolis pitching coach Ray Searage has been promoted to the Pirates. It sounds like he will be a pitching coach-in-waiting for when Joe Kerrigan departs.

UPDATE by Charlie: You'll recall that Hill was upset at the Pirates for trading so many players this season. Via Pat, John Perrotto tweets that by exercising Hill's option, the Pirates have effectively denied Hill the opportunity to catch on somewhere else in 2010. Which seems like hardball on the Bucs' part, but then Hill is the one who seems to be refusing to honor his contract by coming back to Pittsburgh to coach. I wonder if the Pirates might actually get a (marginal) prospect out of this--if some team could "trade" for Hill and take on the Pirates' option, similar to the 2002 "trade" that brought Lou Piniella to Tampa Bay in exchange for Randy Winn. It's also still possible that Hill might eventually capitulate and come back for another year. Or he could just stay at home. I have a feeling we haven't heard the end of this story yet.

Sano not coming to Pittsburgh

Thunder — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:49:41 -0000

Dejan Kovacevic reporting that Miguel Angel Sano is about to sign with the Minnesota Twins for $3.15 million.

Sano signing

He also mentioned that NH and Plummer...Sano's agent...supposedly had an agreement that the Pirates would get a chance to respond...but that didn't happen.

So...everyone that said the Pirates wouldn't spend the money on Sano...appears to be right...it was about the Benjamins...and the Pirates didn't come through.

Wilson and Sanchez leaving?? Maybe not.

Thunder — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 04:32:48 -0000

Post Gazette...Dejan...reporting that the Pirates have approached BOTH Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez about multi-year contract extensions. Somewhere in the 3 to 4 year range. It appears that the Pirates are doing this to try to get a resolution before the trade deadline. I think that it has finally occurred to Pirates management that there is likely little or no help for the middle infield for at least the next two seasons. It sounds like the Pirates will try to sign both of them...and Jack reportedly is willing to consider a pay cut.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the next 2 weeks. It certainly sounds...from the players side...that it may be both or neither staying.

Roster moves

Thunder — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:36:13 -0000

Jackson and Pearce have been sent to Indianapolis. Donnie Veal has been activated from the DL...as his 30 day rehab has expired. The corresponding move for Pearce will be announced on Friday. Considering that Indianapolis has a night game tonight...and a day game tomorrow...before the Pirates play again on Friday...I think the Pirates will watch those 2 games before making a decision.

My guess...Ryan Doumit gets activated before Friday night's game in Philly.

Hinske traded to Yankees

Thunder — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:55:55 -0000

Hinske traded to Yankees

Pirates have traded Eric Hinske to the Yankees for OF/C Eric Fryer and P Casey Erickson. In addition...Garrett Jones has been recalled from Indianapolis.

Lincoln Promoted to Indy

Thunder — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 07:26:03 -0000

Lincoln Promoted to Indy

Brad Lincoln has been promoted to Indianapolis, according to the Altoona Mirror. He was notified Saturday evening.

Sanchez signs

Thunder — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:30:37 -0000

Sanchez signs

Tony Sanchez has already come to terms with the Pirates...per DK at the PG.

PTNBL in Young trade named

Thunder — Fri, 22 May 2009 19:57:24 -0000

The Pirates have sent Eric Krebs, a pitcher, from the Curve to the Dodgers to complete the Delwyn Young trade.

Trade completed

I've also seen third hand reports that Brad Corley has been sent to the Rockies for future considerations, but haven't seen official word on that yet. He hadn't shown any real progress at Altoona, hitting only .221 before being shuffled off the roster a few days ago. Sounds like a mutually agreeable separation.

Corley leaving