At baseball’s Winter Meetings in Dallas yesterday, manager Derek Shelton talked about some key Pirates players and his optimism for the coming season. Shelton talked about the hoped-for comeback of David Bednar, the possible shift of Bryan Reynolds to first base, the recovery from a back injury by Ke’Bryan Hayes, and his young pitchers, including Paul Skenes and Jared Jones.
Shelton says Bednar met last week with pitching coach Oscar Marin and new pitching consultant Brent Strom, who will be trying to help him rediscover his game.
Coach Donnie Kelly will spend time this offseason working with Bryan Reynolds on learning first base, but Shelton says there is plenty of time for that.
Ke’Bryan Hayes is coming off a miserable season that was cut short by a back injury, which is a persistent problem for the third baseman. Shelton is encouraged by the offseason work Hayes is putting in.
Shelton gushed over the potential of Paul Skenes, the National League Rookie of the Year. He says Skenes is solely focused on the Pirates winning as a team.
The Pirates have announced a minor league contract agreement to bring back right-handed reliever Hunter Stratton, who pitched well out of the bullpen but was injured for most of last season. He went down with a forearm strain in June and then in August he ruptured a patellar tendon in his left knee making a play behind the plate against the Reds. Stratton had surgery that will delay his return to the mound. Recovery time is estimated at 7 to 10 months.
The Pirates have also signed former Nationals reliever Tanner Rainey to a minor league deal. He had a 4.76 ERA with the Nats last season in 51 innings, and struggled with his control.
The Pirates have signed career minor league first baseman Imanol Vargas, a 26-year-old who has never played above the AA level, He has played in the Dodgers organization and spent last season in the Angels system.
MLB
The biggest news of the Winter Meetings came from overseas when Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki was posted. Ball clubs will be able to sign the 23-year-old pitcher starting today. The Dodgers and Padres are considered the favorites to land him.
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