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Pirates Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:07:17 PST

Neal Huntington's focus had been entirely on the future since taking over as general manager late in the 2007 season. However, his first trade of this offseason was more about the present.

The Pirates filled a hole at second base by acquiring Akinori Iwamura from Tampa Bay in exchange for right-handed reliever Jesse Chavez. The Pirates experimented with utility player Delwyn Young at second base during the final two months of last season after trading Freddy Sanchez to San Francisco on July 30 and determined Young is not an everyday player.

"Akinori is a good athlete with above-average speed and is a tough out with a solid career on-base percentage," Huntington said. "We feel he is a player who will really help us."

Iwamura, 30, was limited to 69 games last...

2B Iwamura hopes longtime losers can win soon (AP)

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:24:35 PST

Akinori Iwamura apparently didn't check the standings after being traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Iwamura, acquired to be the Pirates' starting second baseman, is hoping his new team can be a contender soon. Really. "I know, of course, about Roberto Clemente and that it is a great organization," Iwamura said after being traded from Tampa Bay to Pittsburgh...

Rays trade 2B Iwamura to Pirates (AP)

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:19:41 PST

The budget-conscious Tampa Bay Rays saved some money and added some promising bullpen help Tuesday night when they traded infielder Akinori Iwamura to the Pittsburgh Pirates for right-hander Jesse Chavez. The Rays held a $4.85 million option on Iwamura for next season, but did not intend to pick it up because of the depth they have at second base.

Rays close to trading Iwamura to Pirates (SportingNews.com)

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:16:43 PST

The Tampa Bay Rays eased their middle infield logjam a bit today by agreeing to trade Akinori Iwamura to the...

Phillies' Hamels can't wait for Series to be over (Yahoo! Sports)

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:10:09 PST

The Philadelphia Phillies are in a tough spot right about now. Down three games to one the New York Yankees in...

Padres hire Hoyer as GM (CBC.ca)

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:41:25 PDT

Jed Hoyer was hired Monday as the new general manager of the San Diego Padres.

Yates leaves Pirates, opts for free agency (AP)

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:41:47 PDT

Right-handed reliever Tyler Yates has chosen to become a free agent after the Pittsburgh Pirates requested outright waivers on him. Yates had Tommy John surgery in July to replace a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow for the second time in his career. He is not expected to pitch again until the middle of next season.

Padres close to hiring Hoyer as GM (Yahoo! Sports)

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:07:19 PDT

The San Diego Padres didn't want Kevin Towers to be the general manager anymore so they canned him three...

Phillies going for rare World Series repeat (AP)

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:43:44 PDT

After winning their second consecutive NL pennant on Wednesday night, the Philadelphia Phillies are trying to become the eighth major league team to repeat as champions since divisional play began in 1969. Here's a look at how other clubs fared over the last 40 years when reaching the World Series one season after taking home the title: 1971 Baltimore Orioles, lost to Pittsburgh Pirates in 7...

Pirates take 3 pitchers off 40-man roster (AP)

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:55:35 PDT

The Pittsburgh Pirates have removed right-handers Denny Bautista, Chris Bootcheck and Craig Hansen from their 40-man roster by sending them outright to Triple-A Indianapolis. Bootcheck elected to enter free agency and will not return to the Pirates' organization. Hansen was one of four players acquired by the Pirates in a three-team trade with the Red Sox and Dodgers in July 2008.

Pirates promote Searage to pitching coach (AP)

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:40:54 PDT

The Pittsburgh Pirates have named Ray Searage pitching coach after two seasons in the same position with Triple-A affiliate Indianapolis. The team also says that first-base coach and infield instructor Perry Hill will not return in 2010. The 54-year-old Searage has been a pitching coach in the Pirates' organization for seven seasons and recently completed his 32nd year in professional baseball.

Ten names on Astros' first-round managerial list (Yahoo! Sports)

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:28:54 PDT

Houston Astros GM Ed Wade has a busy day planned for today. He's apparently going to be calling about 10...