MLB Rumor Central

          MLB Rumor Central: Pirates interested in re-signing Sean Rodriguez

          The Pittsburgh Pirates have publicly expressed interest in re-signing utility player Sean Rodriguez, who had career-high offensive numbers last season. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
          • ESPN.com
          Nov 15, 2016, 06:00 PM ET

          The Pittsburgh Pirates are interested in re-signing free-agent infielder Sean Rodriguez, reports SB Nation's Chris Cotillo, who notes that the Pirates are one of five teams pursuing the utility player.

          Rumor Central

          In the past two seasons with Pittsburgh, Rodriguez, 31, slashed a combined .260/.321/.447 with 22 home runs and 73 RBIs. He finished last season with 18 home runs, 56 RBIs, and a .270/.349/.510 slash line, all of which were career highs.

          General manager Neal Huntington has publicly expressed interest in keeping Rodriguez.

          "We'd love to have Sean remain in a Pirate uniform," Huntington told Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review in late September. "Given what he's done this year, we would fully anticipate that there's going to be quite a market out there for him."

          Rodriguez made $2.5 million in 2016. Biertempfel wrote that Rodriguez could look to double that salary in a two-or three-year deal. Adam Frazier and/or Alen Hanson could be cheaper options to fill Rodriguez's role, Biertempfel noted.

          --Alex Tekip