The Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent, right-handed pitcher Neftali Feliz to a one-year contract worth just shy of $4 million. Feliz is a former American League Rookie of the Year, who pitched in the World Series for the Texas Rangers. He has 97 saves over his seven year career, but struggled last season and was cut by the Rangers. The 27-year old Feliz ended the season in Detroit, but was non-tendered in December.
To make room for Feliz on the Pirates 40-man roster, they cut former number one draft pick Tony Sanchez. The 27-year old catcher was the fourth overall pick in the 2009 draft, and appeared in 51 games with the Pirates.
Ken Griffey, Jr. and Mike Piazza were elected to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame Wednesday. Griffey set a ballot percentage record, and becomes the first number one draft pick to be voted in. He received 99.3 percent of the possible votes, topping a mark previously set in the voting which elected Tom Seaver. Piazza is just the 17th catcher to reach the Hall, and first in 13 years. Former Pittsburgh Pirate Barry Bonds and pitcher Roger Clemons, both connected to the steroid era of baseball, were not elected. Former slugger Mark McGwire, in his 10th year of eligibilty, failed to receive enough votes to remain on future Hall ballots.
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