Pirates Update...

With the offseason up and running and a new coaching staff there hasn't been any major inquiries. Although the ticket office is running a deal if you buy 8 games you get 2 free. Laroche did sign a one year extension for 5 million making him the 4th highest paid player in the franchise and the arbritation eligible players to four. The Pirates announced that they will be breaking ground on what will be the Pirates' new Latin American headquarters on January 22. The complex, which will span 43 acres, will be located in El Toro, Dominican Republic. The facility is expected to open sometime in 2009. "Latin America needs to be an even greater priority for our ballclub," Pirates owner Bob Nutting said. "The Pirates have had a great history of Latino ballplayers making a significant impact at the Major League level, including the great Roberto Clemente. Today, no team has more opportunity or, frankly, a greater need to acquire and develop quality players from this region than we do." Well hopefully the Pirates can get some quality players that will start with the Pirates become great players and then they will trade them for young prospects that we also trade for more young prospects. We have signed RHP T.J. Beam, C Raul Chavez and INF/OF Jose Macias to Minor League contracts with invitations to Spring Training. We also signed RHP Adam Bernero and RHP Elmer Dessens to Minor League contracts with invitations to Spring Training.