Here are two rumors to wrap up the evening and day two of the Winter Meetings before I call it a night. The first rumor is from Bill Brink, who says that the White Sox and Edinson Volquez are said to have mutual interest.
Buzz in the hotel lobby: #WhiteSox and Edinson Volquez have mutual interest.
— Bill Brink (@Bill_Brink2) December 10, 2014
This might be insignificant to the Pirates, since they have been rumored to be done with the rotation, and moving on to upgrading the bullpen. Earlier in the evening, Mike Berardino said that Volquez is looking for two years and $20 M, which is what Jason Hammel received.
Source w/direct knowledge: RHP Edinson Volquez is looking for a two-year, $20 million deal after going 13-7, 3.04 in 192.2 IP for #Pirates.
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) December 10, 2014
My guess is that the Pirates won’t be in on Volquez at this point. As for the bullpen focus, there was a rumor today from Rob Biertempfel saying the Pirates had interest in Pat Neshek. Jerry Crasnick says that Neshek is in serious talks with three clubs, although he doesn’t mention the Pirates.
Pat Neshek is in serious talks with three clubs, including the #astros, said two industry sources. Resolution expected soon.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 10, 2014
Due to the fact that the Pirates rarely spend in the bullpen, I would be surprised if they land Neshek. He’s coming off a good year, with a 1.87 ERA and a 3.29 xFIP, along with a 9.1 K/9 and a 1.2 BB/9. However, that is the first year since 2007 that he’s been more than just a replacement level reliever. Is this a Jason Grilli type case with a late bloomer? And how much is that one good season in 2014 going to raise his price tag? Neshek seems like a gamble where you’re buying high on one good season at a late age. We’ll see whether the Pirates actually get him, and from the sound of Crasnick’s tweet, we might find out sooner, rather than later.
