To a standard three-year entry-level deal. McNeill, 20, was the Pens' sixth-round choice in the 2010 draft. He spent this season with the Barrie Colts of the OHL, and will presumably report to WB/S to begin next season. Even if he doesn't make it to the pros, organizational depth is a fairly decent outcome for a sixth-rounder, so it's good to see him sign and join the organization. (As an aside, read the comments on the linked article if you're interested in a laugh.)

Not really Pens-related, as Hamill wouldn't seem to be much of a fit for us. That said, it's always noteworthy when a 21-year-old former top-10 overall pick gets waived, and I'll be shocked if somebody doesn't claim him.

Another star player loses a season to a concussion. As much as I hate watching him play against the Pens, here's hoping the guy makes a full recovery and is back in 2012/13.

For those here who were interested in taking a flyer on him. Looks like he got a minimum-salary major-league deal (plus incentives), which is about what you would have expected him to receive.

I suppose he'll play tomorrow if Kennedy is unable to go.

Via Biertempfel. Sofield has worked at different times with Hurdle, Huntington, and Stark. He is expected to serve as a manager or hitting coach for one of the Pirates' affiliates.

Not terribly surprising, but it puts to rest any talk of him playing on Thursday.

Obviously, this news doesn't prove that the 11th is, in fact, the anticipated return date; it does, however, leave that possibility open. Stay tuned.

Via MLBTR. Ka'aihue was acquired in exchange for Ethan Hollingsworth, a fringy 24-year-old SP prospect who just made AAA at the end of this year. In our system, the best analog for him is probably someone like Aaron Thompson, whom most around here likely would have been thrilled to swap for Ka'aihue.

To WB/S: Brandon DeFazio, Brian Gibbons, Ben Street, Paul Thompson, Geoff Walker, Simon Despres, Alex Grant, Joey Mormina, Philip Samuelsson, Carl Sneep, and Patrick Killeen.

To junior: Tom Kuhnhackl (Windsor, OHL), and Dominik Uher (Spokane, WHL).

Per Eddie Bajek, via MLBTR. Ludwick and Lee would both qualify for Type B status, as of now. Interestingly, Cedeno has an outside shot at qualifying for Type B status as well, which would make the decision on whether or not to pick up his option that much more interesting.

Roid rage!

Guess they really didn't want to use any other arms in that game.

This isn't really Pirate-related, but it's cool when a deal like this goes down in August. I'm really not sure what either team gets out of the trade, though.

Per the Denver Post, via MLBTR. Anyone else interested in a pitcher who has produced over 8 WAR across the last two and a half seasons?

According to Olney and Heyman (via MLBTR). Between this and the Hardy extension, it's looking like we're gonna be rolling Cedeno/Wood/d'Arnaud at short for the rest of the year, for better or worse (if it wasn't looking that way already).

As expected by most. It'll be interesting to see how this drama plays itself out.

For a 2012 third-rounder, a conditional pick, and minor-league LW Matt Clackson.

Discuss.

For their first-rounder and our third-rounder (the one from the Hamhuis trade). As if they didn't already have enough scoring depth.

Could perhaps have been a decent lefty addition to our bullpen, but I don't really think a 2 year/$4M deal would have been agreeable.

Doesn't really relate to the Pirates, but I figured I'd link it due to the magnitude of the news (and the out-of-nowhere manner in which it came).

For Blake Hawksworth. According to this link, this means that Brendan Ryan will either be traded or moved into a backup role. Anyone think he'd be worth getting?

Among them is Dinesh Patel.