Morning Rundown: Draft lottery today, White Sox sign Mike Tauchman, Pirates media availability
Draft lottery is today, Former Cubs stays in Chicago, Shelton talks to members of the media
The draft lottery for the 2025 draft will take place Tuesday night. Everything begins at 5:30 pm ET on MLB Network.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a 5.31% chance of getting the first overall pick in the 2025 draft. They have the sixth-best odds to win the lottery since the Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox are not eligible.
They won the lottery for the 2023 draft, where they eventually selected Paul Skenes with the first overall pick.
The Colorado Rockies and Miami Marlins have the greatest odds to win the lottery at 22.45%. Last year’s winner, the Cleveland Guardians, had a 2% chance of getting the first pick and eventually selected Travis Bazanna.
Former Chicago Cubs outfielder Mike Tauchman signed a major league deal with the Chicago White Sox. Tauchman, 34, hit .248/.357/.366 in 109 games last season. He finished with seven home runs and 29 RBI.
Ben Cherington and Derek Shelton talked with the media at the Winter Meetings on Monday. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the topics discussed:
Ben Cherington mentioned there is still mutual interest in bringing back Andrew McCutchen for 2025, but that’s it right now.
Cherington expressed confidence in Isiah Kiner-Falefa at shortstop.
Ke’Bryan Hayes is participating in all baseball activities
Derek Shelton on Bryan Reynolds at first base: “The idea is we're going to see what it's like at first base.”
There was some talk about the new coaches (Matt Hague and Brent Strom).
Shelton wouldn’t say if David Bednar would begin the year as the closer.
Cherington and Shelton mentioned adding to the offense.
When talking about adding, the idea of making a trade and using their pitching depth came up, here’s the quote:
“A big one frankly if you look at (teams like) Cleveland, Tampa and Milwaukee. Yes, they’re getting value out of the draft, yes they’re getting value out of international, but trades are a big piece of how those teams are built," Cherington said. "Trades are harder emotionally because everybody celebrates a draft pick when you make it and it’s all upside, but with trades, there’s a give and take. You’re giving something up so it’s a different emotional, psychological decision and experience. To win in Pittsburgh, we’re going to have to be willing to embrace that like those competitive teams have done. We’ve got to be open to it and you can’t find out what the opportunities are unless you’re open to it. We’ll continue to be that way this offseason.”
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Today is the day for BC to employ his one demonstrated skill.
Pirates signed RH reliever Elvis Alvarado to a split deal that gives him a 40-man roster spot.