Pirates fans petition for change of owner
Pittsburgh Pirates fans are signing a petition to express their frustration following the team’s decision to trade star outfielder Andrew McCutchen to the San Francisco Giants.
More than 28,000 fans signed a petition on change.org asking Major League Baseball to force Pirates owner Bob Nutting to sell the team. Nutting, who took over as the team’s principal owner in 2007, called the decision to trade McCutchen the most difficult of his tenure.
Pittsburgh sent top starting pitcher Gerrit Cole to Houston on Saturday, then sent McCutchen to the Giants, shedding the organization of $20 million in salary in the process.
The Pirates have finished below .500 each of the last two years.
Baseball: Cubs re-sign Duensing
The Chicago Cubs bolstered their revamped bullpen yestersday, bringing back Brian Duensing with a $7 million, two-year contract. The left-hander went 1-1 with a 2.74 ERA in 68 appearances last season.
Duensing, 35, helped Chicago win the NL Central last season, but its bullpen faltered in the playoffs and it was eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series. All-Star closer Wade Davis then left in free agency, agreeing to a $52 million, three-year contract with Colorado, but the Cubs signed relievers Brandon Morrow and Steve Cishek before coming to an agreement with Duensing . . . .
The Detroit Tigers avoided arbitration with Jose Iglesias, agreeing to a $6,275,000, oneyear contract with the 28-year-old shortstop. Iglesias hit .255 with six home runs and 54 RBI in 2017 . . . .
All-Star closer Brad Hand’s $19.75 million, three-year contract with the San Diego Padres includes a $1.75 million signing bonus. Hand went 3-4 with 21 saves and a 2.16 ERA last season . . . .
The Minnesota Twins hired the recently retired Justin Morneau as a special assistant. The 36-year-old Morneau will be involved in the amateur draft and be a resource for player acquisitions.
Names: Couric at Olympics
NBC is bringing back Katie Couric to co-host the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics next month in Sourh Korea. Couric will be co-host with Mike Tirico, who is replacing Bob Costas as prime-time host of the games . . . .
The agent for former NBA star Dennis Rodman says the Hall of Famer checked into an alcohol rehabilitation center after a weekend DUI arrest. Rodman was arrested in Southern California late Saturday on suspicion of DUI after being pulled over for a traffic violation . ...
The Portland Timbers acquired winger Andy Polo on loan from Liga MX club Monarcas Morelia. The 23-year-old native of Peru played in 25 matches last year for Morelia with two goals.