PBN Around the Horn: Garfield Was Right, I Hate Mondays

Welcome to the PBN Around the Horn. Here you’ll find news and notes from across Major League Baseball, your Pittsburgh Pirates, and around the Sports Now network.

UPDATE (4:02 p.m.) The Cubs are reportedly close to a one-year deal with Clint Frazier

The Cubs are closing in on a 1 yr deal with Clint Frazier, source tells ESPN. Was released by the Yankees recently.

— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) November 30, 2021

UPDATE (11:21 a.m.) For those hopeful to get Yan Gomes, the Cubs beat us to it. Craig Mish is reporting that the deal is 2 years, $13 million.

Catcher Yan Gomes is in agreement on a two year $13 million dollar guaranteed contract with the Chicago Cubs per sources.

— Craig Mish (@CraigMish) November 30, 2021

UPDATE (11:03 a.m.) Former NL Central foe Javier Baez is reportedly receiving 6 years, $140 million from the Detroit Tigers

UPDATE (10:47 a.m.) Former Pirate catcher and all around fan favorite Francisco Cervelli has been hired by the Padres as their catching instructor. The now 35-year-old replaces Rod Barajas.

The Padres hired Francisco Cervelli to replace Rod Barajas as the team’s catching instructor, sources tell @TheAthletic. Cervelli, 35, retired from playing last year after 13 major-league seasons, including two in Pittsburgh with Joe Musgrove.

— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) November 30, 2021

Making a trade is usually meant to improve your current roster, unload a too pricey contract or stockpile younger talent for the future. When you examine the Jacob Stallings trade that took place on Monday, one might choose the third option above. Making a trade for trade’s sake seems counterproductive, but this move tells us a couple of things.

1. The Pirates might take a catcher in the Rule-5 draft.
2. There may be a non-tender catcher option soon 
3. We might see a youth movement with a Carter Bins type

Anyways, welcome to today’s Around the Horn; give us your thoughts on the Stallings trade. Do you like the return? Is there a youth movement coming? What would you like to see the Pirates do with the backstop position for 22′?

Pittsburgh Baseball Now Notes

What to expect before the CBA?

Pirates sign two players to Minor League contracts.

Pirates sign Ben Gamel and avoid arbitration. 

Steven Brault is designated for assignment.

Jacob Stallings traded to Miami.

Colin Moran DFA’d for Tsutsugo 

Pirates Prospects Notes

Tim Williams and John Dreker drew up some beautifully done pieces yet again for P2 on Monday. First, we have Tim giving us the third base prospects or, as he calls it, “the Ke’Bryan Hayes failsafes.” Finally, we have John giving us yet another winter league update highlighted by Tsung-Che Cheng. 

Around the Network

Steelers Now: TJ Watt placed on COVID list.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Penguins lose 2-1 in shootout in Calgary.

Pittsburgh Sports Now: Kenny Pickett officially on Heisman ballot.

WVU Sports Now: Perimeter D isn’t WVU BB’s real problem; what is?

Nittany Sports Now: Brent Pry linked to Virginia Tech head coach job.