With spring training getting underway next week, the Pirates yesterday signed a center fielder and a catcher to minor league deals, with invitations to camp for both.
Outfielder Brian Goodwin, a career .250 hitter who played for the Angels and Reds last year, signed a one-year contract worth $1.6 million if he makes the team, with another $900,000 possible in bonuses.
Catcher Tony Wolters, who started for the Rockies for most of last year and hit .230, will make $1.4 million if he makes the Pirates’ roster.
The Pirates and MLB announced the newest version of the 2021 schedule yesterday, and for the first time, it has game times listed. The season for the Bucs will open at Chicago for a three–game series with the Cubs. First pitch will be at 2:20 PM on April 1st. The home opener will be against the Cubs at 1:35 on April 8th.
Evening games in April, May, and September will start a half-hour earlier than in recent years, at 6:35 PM. They’ll move back to 7:05 for the summer months. Sunday home games will start at 1:05, which is also a half-hour earlier than in recent years.
ESPN is a little more optimistic about the Pirates’ prospects, placing six Buccos on its annual Top 100 list. They are led by third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, who is the number-six overall prospect in baseball. Shortstop Oneil Cruz, whom ESPN curiously listed as a third baseman, is ranked #28, second baseman Nick Gonzalez # 66, outfielder Travis Swaggerty # 79, pitcher Quinn Priester # 87, and shortstop Liover Peguero # 91.
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