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Neal Huntington, GM, Pittsburgh PiratesHot off the Wire Fantasy Sports NewsPirates | 2010 payroll expected to be approximately $32 million The Pittsburgh Pirates will have a payroll of approximately $32 million next season, allowing them to pursue one or two free agents, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. However, they aren't expected to sign anyone right away. "We're going to be aggressive, in terms of getting our interest level out to players," general manager Neal Huntington said. "But I don't think we'll be stepping up to the podium too often in November or December; it's more likely to be January, as guys fall into that value category that we're willing to pay." One player who could interest the Pirates is free-agent OF Rick Ankiel (Cardinals), who earned $2.825 million last year. Pirates | Six-man rotation idea unlikely to be implemented MLB.com's Jen Langosch reports that Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington does not expect the team to go to a six-man rotation, despite the fact that SP Daniel McCutchen will join the team Monday, Aug. 31. Manager John Russell hasn't determined how McCutchen will fit into the rotation over the last six weeks of the season, but he estimated that he will need to have six or seven starts covered. Pirates | Dumatrait update The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dejan Kovacevic reports Pittsburgh Pirates SP Phil Dumatrait (shoulder) has resumed pitching off a mound, but general manager Neal Huntington confirmed Dumatrait will open the season on the disabled list. Huntington said Dumatrait is four to six weeks away from being able to play. Pirates | Dumatrait shut down again Jenifer Langosch, of MLB.com, reports Pittsburgh Pirates SP Phil Dumatrait (arm) has been shut down during his throwing program because he is dealing with arm soreness after throwing live batting practice earlier this week. It could be another seven to 10 days before Dumatrait throws to live hitters again, according to general manager Neal Huntington. It is almost certain that he will begin the season on the disabled list. Pirates | Capps throwing harder Dejan Kovacevic, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Pittsburgh Pirates RP Matt Capps appears to have added a few notches to his fastball in Spring Training. "There are no radar guns here or anything because it's just Spring Training, but I'm telling you, I'm throwing harder," Capps said. "I can just feel it, the way it's coming out of my hand. It's just exploding. Nothing at all like last year." The radar gun is clocking Capps at 90 to 93 mph, according to general manager Neal Huntington. Capps worked hard in the offseason and appears to be much stronger than he was a year ago. The team is also pleased with the way he is mixing in his other pitches this spring. Capps has not allowed a single run in four spring outings while striking out four. Pirates | Will not sign Bonds FOXSports.com reports the Pittsburgh Pirates have no plans to sign free-agent OF Barry Bonds (Giants), according to general manager Neal Huntington. Pirates | Pearce has little chance of making team The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dejan Kovacevic reports Pittsburgh Pirates OF Steve Pearce has very little chance of making the team. General manager Neal Huntington said that if Pearce had fallen out of favor with the team he would have a better chance to make the club because they would see him as a bench player. Pirates | Tabata has shoulder injury Dejan Kovacevic, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports Pittsburgh Pirates OF Jose Tabata (shoulder) has been sidelined with a right shoulder injury. He will undergo an MRI and the severity of the injury is unknown at this time. General manager Neal Huntington said Tabata is experiencing some soreness in his shoulder. Pirates | Made offer to Mientkiewicz Rob Biertempfel, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports the Pittsburgh Pirates made a minor league contract offer to Los Angeles Dodgers 1B Doug Mientkiewicz, according to general manager Neal Huntington. Pirates | Lajoie hired The Associated Press reports the Pittsburgh Pirates hired Bill Lajoie as an adviser to general manager Neal Huntington Friday, Jan. 16. Lajoie will be involved with scouting, player evaluation and roster moves. He has worked as an adviser for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves. Pirates | Sign two to minor league deals Jenifer Langosch, of MLB.com, reports the Pittsburgh Pirates signed free-agent P Jeremy Powell and 1B Josh Bonifay (Astros) to minor league deals Wednesday, Jan. 14. Bonifay will be a player-coach but his primary role will be as a coach, according to general manager Neal Huntington. Terms of the deals were not disclosed. Pirates | Pearce could be solution in outfield Jenifer Langosch, of MLB.com, reports Pittsburgh Pirates 1B Steve Pearce could be the team's right-handed hitting option in the outfield next season, according to general manager Neal Huntington. However, he may be sent to Class AAA to receive playing time at the start of the season if the team signs another outfielder in the offseason. Pirates | Continue talks with Gomez, Rivas Jenifer Langosch, of MLB.com, reports the Pittsburgh Pirates are in ongoing negotiations to re-sign SS Chris Gomez and 2B Luis Rivas, according to general manager Neal Huntington. Pirates | Interest cooling in Wilson Rob Biertempfel, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports it seems things have become less frantic involving trade talk for Pittsburgh Pirates SS Jack Wilson. His $7.3 million contract over the next two years is a stumbling block, even though the Pirates are willing to pick up part of it. However, general manager Neal Huntington said that Wilson has not been pulled off the market. Pirates | Moss has positive checkup The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Pittsburgh Pirates OF Brandon Moss (knee), who had knee surgery in October, had a "very positive" checkup in Pittsburgh last week, general manager Neal Huntington said, and should be ready to participate "in a protective mode" all through spring training. Pirates | Deny Wilson trade Contrary to a previous report, Rob Biertempfel, of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, reports the Pittsburgh Pirates have not finalized a deal with the Detroit Tigers to trade SS Jack Wilson, according to Pirates general manager Neal Huntington. A source close to Wilson also denied the potential trade. Pirates | Dumatrait suffers setback The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dejan Kovacevic reports Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said SP Phil Dumatrait's (shoulder) timetable has been pushed back a little. Pirates | Moss update The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dejan Kovacevic reports Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said OF Brandon Moss (knee) should be ready to play by opening day or soon after. Pirates | Maholm only pitcher with guaranteed starting job The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Pittsburgh Pirates SP Paul Maholm may be the only pitcher in the starting rotation with a guaranteed job come 2009, according to general manager Neal Huntington. Pirates | Unlikely to make big moves in free agency Jenifer Langosch, of MLB.com, reports the Pittsburgh Pirates are not expected to make a big splash in the free-agent market this offseason. General manager Neal Huntington has identified a veteran starting pitcher and a right-handed bat with power as their most pressing needs. Pirates | Benedict hired MLB.com reports the Pittsburgh Pirates hired Jim Benedict as a special assistant to senior vice president and general manager Neal Huntington Tuesday, Oct. 28. Benedict spent the last two seasons as a major league scout for the Cleveland Indians. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Pirates | GM warns some players are on thin ice The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dejan Kovacevic reports Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington will not hesitate to banish players who he feels are not giving 100 percent on the field. Huntington said although the team doesn't have the resources to battle extended slumps on the field, the team can be internally creative in its decision-making. Pirates | Torres' fitness habits draw GM's criticism The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dejan Kovacevic reports Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington criticized RP Salomon Torres for his habits approaching physical fitness recently. "If he works as hard as he needs to this offseason and dedicates himself and, with him living in Pittsburgh, he gets himself into the weight room more than he's been this offseason, sure, he absolutely can be that setup guy," Huntington said. Pirates | GM goal is to improve bench, bullpen The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Dejan Kovacevic reports the Pittsburgh Pirates hope to bolster the depth of the bullpen and bench, but general manager Neal Huntington has no goal of achieving that during the Winter Meetings. "We're not going to be a player for the high-priced free agents, as we've said," Huntington said. "But we'll be listening and talking about trades." Pirates | Bay not untouchable? Jose de Jesus Ortiz, in his blog at blogs.chron.com, states new Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington hasn't disclosed the team's offseason player personnel plans but it is generally thought he would be agreeable to trading OF Jason Bay in the event he could obtain significant value in return, especially more young pitching. Pirates | GM declines comment on possible Jauss hire The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Rob Biertempfel reports Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington declined to comment on a report in The Los Angeles Daily News that he was set to hire Dave Jauss as either director of player development or a special assistant. Jauss was the Dodgers' bench coach the past two seasons under manager Grady Little. Pirates | Huntington in no hurry to name new manager The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Paul Meyer reports Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington is in no hurry to name a new manager to replace the fired Jim Tracy, and he may even wait until after the postseason. "We're doing our due diligence," he said. "The overall list is a pretty big one and some of the names have been good names. I've been calling people I trust and respect for evaluations, and I'm beginning to hear the same names." Pirates | Huntington named general manager Confirming a previous report, Jenifer Langosch, of MLB.com, reports the Pittsburgh Pirates have named Neal Huntington their new general manager. |