LAS VEGAS -- General manager Neal Huntington this afternoon confirmed the Pirates' interest in signing free-agent infielder Ramon Vazquez.
"We're working through some things with Ramon," Huntington said. "We're optimistic." The Pirates have offered a two-year, $4 million contract to Vazquez, who has spent eight seasons in the majors as a utilityman with five teams. There are indications the deal might come together quickly, sometime in the next 24 hours.
Vazquez's agent, Melvin Roman, did not immediately return a phone call from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Last season, Vazquez batted .290 and played in 105 games for the Texas Rangers
Earlier today, the Pirates claimed left-hander Donnie Veal in the major league portion of the Rule 5 draft.
Veal, 24, went 5-10 with a 4.52 ERA last season for Tennessee, the Chicago Cubs' Double-A affiliate. He made 29 starts, but the Pirates may use him as a reliever.
The Pirates must either keep him on their 25-man roster all season or offer to sell him back to the Cubs for half of their $50,000 investment.
