Day three of winter meetings

The final day of the Winter Meetings held in the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas, is in action today. The Pirates didn‘t officially make any signings on Tuesday, however, there were several reports late Tuesday night that the club was close to deals with three players. Outfielder Nate McLouth‘s deal is pending a physical and is reported to be announced today. There were also reports that the Bucs are close to signing veteran infielder Wilson Betemit and catcher Jose Morales. You can read all the reports from Day two here.

First basemen Derrek Lee has until midnight to either accept or reject arbitration from the Pirates. Lee is expected to decline arbitration, but the club is still seriously perusing him.

Also, Thursday at 10 am is the Rule 5 draft. The Pirates have until the end of Wednesday to clear a spot on the roster if they want to use their pick in the draft. The roster is currently at 40, and the Bucs will pick eighth in the draft. For a complete list of all the eligible players you can read here.

Be sure to check back to this page daily, as I’ll continue to post on rumors on the Pirates front. Also, check the main page as well, I’ll post any signings or moves the Pirates do make.

• Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune Review reports that the Pirates are no longer pursuing free agent infielder Wilson Betemit. There were reports late last night that they were close to a deal.

• Jon Morosi of Fox Sports reports that the Pirates have signed left-hander Erik Bedard. MLB Trade Rumors also confirms the report. The deal is reported to be worth $4.5 million.

On Tuesday, there were reports that the club was interested in signing the 32-year-old. Bedard is coming off his healthiest season since 2007. He had missed time with knee and lat sprains and shoulder surgeries limiting him just over 160 innings combined in 2008 and 2009. He went 5-9 with a 3.62 ERA over 24 starts combined with Seattle Mariners and the Boston Red Sox in 2011.

• Dejan Kovacevic of the Tribune Review reports that the Pirates were bidders for Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima, but the New York Yankees just got him for $2 million. The Bucs signed free agent shortstop Clint Barmes to a two-year deal in November.

• Rob Biertempfel of the Tribune Review reports that the Pirates are expected to announce the signing of outfielder Nate McLouth sometime today, after he passes his physical. The deal is expected to be a one-year deal worth $1.75 million.

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