News & Notes: Toddfather, Anderson Sign; Buc Bullpenners On the Move; Camp Starts; MiLB Coaching Jobs

 Sunshine State at last…

• Pittsburgh signed LHP Tyler Anderson to a MLB deal worth $2.5M. The lefty back ender was 4-3/4.37 for the Giants last year after starting his career in Colorado.  To make room on the 40-man roster, Rule 5 selection RHP Jose Soriano, still recovering from TJ surgery, was put on the 60-day IL.

• Veteran 3B Todd Frazier, 35, agreed with the Bucs on an NRI deal said to be worth $1.5M if he passes the physical and makes the cut. The 10-year man has had some solid years with the bat and is looking to rebound from a subpar 2020 to compete for a backup corner spot currently slotted to Phil Evans.
• Pitchers reported to camp on Wednesday; the rest of the squad is due in on Sunday. The Pirates spring training exhibition schedule has been revised by MLB, who adopted a pod structure to lessen Covid exposure for the players.
• RHP Keone Kela has signed with the Padres, pending his physical, as it’s still uncertain if his forearm tightness issue has resolved itself.
• RHP Jared Hughes, 35, announced his retirement. He spent six of his 10 MLB seasons (2011-16) as a Bucco with a Pittsburgh line of 15-13-3/2.82. Jared was an extreme ground ball bridge guy, with his trademark sprint from the pen to the hill and goofy persona making him a local fan fav.
• The Phillies and LHP Tony Watson agreed to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training per reports. Tony is 40-25/2.80 ERA in 627 appearances over 10 seasons with the Pirates, Giants and Dodgers. He spent the first six-and-some-change seasons with the Bucs before being dealt to the Dodgers in 2017. 
• 33-year-old LHP Justin Wilson has returned to the Yankees. He spent his first three years (2012-14, 9-5/2.99) as a Buc before being sent to the Yankees for Fran Cervelli.
• Ollie Perez, 39, is still hangin’ in there. The lefty re-signed with the Indians via an NRI deal. Perez has 18 years in the show and was a Pirates starter from 2003-06. His career was rejuvenated when the Mets converted him to the bullpen in 2010.
• The Marlins DFA’ed OF Harold Ramirez. The 26-year-old was a Pirates property until he was sent to Toronto in 2016 as part of the Frankie Liriano contract dump. He hit .264 in two seasons with the Fish.
• Pittsburgh announced its minor league coaching assignments:

• Former Altoona Curve manager and Indiana PA native Michael Ryan has been named skipper of the High-A South Bend Cubs, as noted by Corey Giger of NSN. He was a surprise firing in 2019, and there wasn’t a functional minor league system to absorb him last year.
• Brady Smith from the Heinz History Center wrote up the glory days of the Grays and Crawfords, who have an exhibition at the Center now.
• Ever wonder about the MiLB lifestyle? The Pitt News followed three recent mid-range Panther draftees on-and-off season.