Teams could begin talking to free agents from other clubs beginning Nov. 14, but CC Sabathia, Manny Ramirez and Mark Teixeira won’t be on the speed dial of Pirates general manager Neal Huntington.

The Pirates are in yet another rebuilding phase and fully understand they are more than one player away from contention. Thus, they will wait for the free agent market to sift out and then try to make some value acquisitions from the leftovers. The Pirates hope to add a veteran arm to stabilize a young rotation and a hitter with some power to fill a void at either third base or a corner outfield spot.

“We’ve got some young players who we need to find out about,” Huntington said. “They need the opportunity to play, and we’re not going to acquire a veteran free agent if it is…

MLB likely to change, not ban, maple bats

Major League Baseball’s Safety and Health Advisory Committee is scheduled meet in New York on Friday to discuss the routine shattering and exploding of bats during the 2008 season.

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Girardi ‘won’t be surprised’ if Mussina retires
Desperate for starting pitchers, the New York Yankees expect to enter next season without 20-game winner Mike Mussina.

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Court to hear baseball urine sample seizure appeal in December
The case dealing with the government’s seizure four years ago of Major League Baseball players’ urine samples will go before …

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Court to hear baseball urine sample seizure appeal in December
The case dealing with the government’s seizure four years ago of Major League Baseball players’ urine samples will go before …

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Tools sought in Orioles‘ rebuilding process
They tore down the scoreboards at Camden Yards last year not that a lot of pleasant information for Orioles fans has been posted …

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Red Sox trade outfielder Coco Crisp to Royals for reliever
The Kansas City Royals picked up the leadoff hitter they had been seeking on Wednesday, acquiring center fielder Coco Crisp from …

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Tools sought in Orioles‘ rebuilding process
They tore down the scoreboards at Camden Yards last year not that a lot of pleasant information for Orioles fans has been posted …

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Pujols overcomes pain to reign as NL MVP for second time
St. Louis first baseman Albert Pujols, who had another monster season despite a painful right elbow that required offseason surgery, …

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Oakland owner: Make first round of playoffs 1 game
Lew Wolff has a way to shorten baseball’s postseason: Make the first round best-of-one.

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Pirates‘ front office gains a Champion
Bucs’ front office gains a Champion General manager Neal Huntington has added another member to his front-office staff, announcing on Tuesday that experienced scout Keith Champion will be joining the Pirates as a special assistant to Huntington.

Injuries take toll on Braves’ rotation
For nearly two decades, much of the success the Atlanta Braves have achieved could be traced to their rotation. The same might …

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Pima County accepts $5M White Sox buyout
Pima County’s supervisors voted 5-0 on Tuesday to allow the Chicago White Sox to end their spring training contract with the …

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Pujols joins MLS expansion effort
Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols is adding his star power to a group working to bring an MLS expansion team to the area.

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AP: Mariners tap A’s bench coach Wakamatsu as new manager
Oakland bench coach Don Wakamatsu will be named the new manager of the Seattle Mariners.

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Griffey becomes American Public Diplomacy Envoy
Ken Griffey Jr. has joined a new team.

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Mudcat offers color-blind message of togetherness
Last Friday night in New York the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association held its annual Legends for Youth Dinner. …

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Pedroia comes up big in winning AL MVP honors
Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia has won the American League Most Valuable Player award. Pedroia got 16 of the 28 …

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Transcript of Morgan’s chat with fans
Transcript of Morgan’s chat with fans Pirates outfielder Nyjer Morgan participated in a online chat with Bucs fans on Tuesday, answering questions regarding his offseason workout and expectations for ‘09.

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Mudcat offers color-blind message of togetherness
Last Friday night in New York the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association held its annual Legends for Youth Dinner. …

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Hall of Fame schedules replacement game for 2009
Baseball’s legends and old-timers will play in a new Hall of Fame Classic, a creation deemed insufficient by the group opposed …

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Mailbag: Will Mientkiewicz return in ‘09?
Mailbag: Mientkiewicz’s ‘09 status Will Doug Mientkiewicz return to the Pirates in 2009? Should the Bucs sign free-agent pitcher Brad Penny? Who will replace Lanny Frattare? Beat reporter Jenifer Langosch answers these questions and more in the latest edition of the mailbag.

Report: McCready not proud of ties to Clemens
Country singer Mindy McCready claims she broke off her relationship with Roger Clemens when the former baseball star wouldn’t …

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Meek Saves #8; Tabata and Chavez Contribute

Evan Meek recorded his 8th save of the Mexican Pacific League season — photo by Nancy Zinni A look at Pirates‘ farmhands and friends in fall and winter ball play on Thursday… The Hawaiian Winter League games …

Indians‘ Lee is hands-down winner of AL Cy Young Award
For the second consecutive season, the Cleveland Indians have won the American League Cy Young Award. The Indians‘ Cliff Lee, who was 22-3 with a 2.54 ERA, was given the award Thursday by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

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McLouth earns recognition for NL MVP
McLouth earns point in MVP vote Coming off a breakout season that saw him earn an everyday job, an All-Star appearance and a Gold Glove, Nate McLouth hasreceived some recognition in NL MVP balloting.

Hall of Fame schedules replacement game for 2009
Baseball’s legends and old-timers will play in a new Hall of Fame Classic, a creation deemed insufficient by the group opposed to the elimination of the annual exhibition between major league teams.

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‘38 Ruth Dodgers uniform goes for $310,500
SCP Auctions bought a full Babe Ruth 1938 Brooklyn Dodgers road uniform for $310,500 at auction at the Louisville Slugger Museum. SCP Auctions said Saturday that the uniform, the last professional uniform worn by Ruth, was purchased on behalf of a client who is an avid collector of Ruth memorabilia.

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Japanese schoolgirl drafted by pro baseball team
A 16-year-old schoolgirl is making a pitch to become the first woman to play professional baseball in Japan.

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Report: McCready not proud of ties to Clemens
Country singer Mindy McCready claims she broke off her relationship with Roger Clemens when the former baseball star wouldn’t marry her, according to an interview to be broadcast Monday by the syndicated show “Inside Edition.”

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Cubs to play at new Yankee Stadium on April 3-4
The Chicago Cubs will play the first exhibition games at the new Yankee Stadium, meeting New York on Friday night April 3 and again the following afternoon.

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Yankees acquire Swisher from White Sox in 5-man deal
The New York Yankees have given themselves an option at first base, acquiring Nick Swisher from the Chicago White Sox for pitching prospect Jeff Marquez and infielder Wilson Betemit.

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Bucs work to fill Minor League staffs
Bucs work to fill Minor League staffs The Pirates have a number of Minor League coaching positions to fill this offseason, and they began to do so on Monday with the announcement of most of the Triple-A Indianapolis staff for 2009.

Teams could begin talking to free agents from other clubs beginning Nov. 14, but CC Sabathia, Manny Ramirez and Mark Teixeira won’t be on the speed dial of Pirates general manager Neal Huntington.

The Pirates are in yet another rebuilding phase and fully understand they are more than one player away from contention. Thus, they will wait for the free agent market to sift out and then try to make some value acquisitions from the leftovers. The Pirates hope to add a veteran arm to stabilize a young rotation and a hitter with some power to fill a void at either third base or a corner outfield spot.

“We’ve got some young players who we need to find out about,” Huntington said. “They need the opportunity to play, and we’re not going to acquire a veteran free agent if it is…