Pirates to pay for giving up on Gorzy - MLB

Seven pitchers have started games for the Pirates this season, with ERAs ranging from 3.45 to 6.09. Tomorrow, that number will expand to eight, with the newly acquired Kevin Hart making his debut for the Diamondbacks. Going the other way in that trade with the Cubs was Tom Gorzelanny, who, quite bizarrely, wasn’t included in the group of starters.

Despite some lingering questions about the health of his arm, Gorzelanny was considered one of the Pirates’ building blocks two years ago, when he went 14-10 with a 3.88 ERA as a 24-year-old. A complete and total collapse followed in 2008, as he finished 6-9 with a 6.66 ERA. He allowed more walks (70) and homers (20) in 105 1/3 innings than he did in 201 2/3 innings the year before. He didn’t miss time due to injury until mid-September, when he injured a finger ligament. He did complain of shoulder tightness in April, but he pitched through it.

When spring 2009 arrived, the assumption was that Gorzelanny would have every opportunity to win back his rotation spot. However, after some early struggles, he was sent down with still more than two weeks to go. When he was recalled in mid-May, it was to pitch out of the pen, a role he had never filled as a pro. The Pirates didn’t even give him a couple of appearances in Triple-A for him to get used to it. He spent three weeks on the roster, giving up five runs in 8 2/3 innings, and then returned to starting in Triple-A. From that point on, he went on an incredible roll, posting a 1.17 ERA in eight starts for Indianapolis. Still, the Pirates opted to trade him without ever taking another look at him. It wasn’t a money issue, as he’s making barely more than the minimum. He’s not going to be eligible for free agency until after 2013.

The Cubs wasted no time in putting Gorzelanny into the rotation after acquiring him, and he allowed one run and three hits over 7 1/3 innings in his debut Tuesday. He struck out six and walked just one. The now 27-year-old lefty looked nothing like the pitcher he did last year. He was throwing 89-92 mph consistently and showing an improved slider. As should have been obvious to anyone, he still has the stuff to win in the big leagues.

Of course, there’s no guarantee it will last. Gorzelanny has had elbow issues in the past, and we know from last year that he can lose his command and become completely useless in the blink of an eye. He’s also not exactly a slave to conditioning. But the Pirates treated him as little more than a throw-in in a deal that brought them two expendable pitchers from the Cubs. This wasn’t Ian Snell, who failed in back-to-back years and no longer wanted to pitch for Pirates. This was a guy who had one bad year. It’s mindblowing that the Pirates never gave him a second chance. If Tuesday’s performance was any indication, they’ll be regretting it soon enough.

CARSON CITY, Nev. — A bill introduced in the Nevada Legislature would give the Oakland Athletics up to $380 million for a potential 30,000 seat, $1.5 billion retractable roof stadium on the Las Vegas Strip.

The bulk of the public funding would come from $180 million in transferable tax credits from the state and $120 million in county bonds, which can vary based on interest rate returns. Clark County also would contribute $25 million in credit toward infrastructure costs.

The A’s have been looking for a home to replace Oakland Coliseum, where the team has played since arriving from Kansas City for the 1968 season. The team had sought to build a stadium in Fremont, San Jose and finally the Oakland waterfront, all ideas that never materialized.

The plan in the Nevada Legislature won’t directly raise taxes. It can move forward with a simply majority vote in the Senate and Assembly. Lawmakers have a little more than a week to consider the proposal before they adjourn June 5, though it could be voted on if a special session is called.

The Athletics have agreed to use land on the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip, where the Tropicana Las Vegas casino resort sits. Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao has said he is disappointed the team didn’t negotiate with Oakland as a “true partner.”

Las Vegas would be the fourth home for a franchise that started as the Philadelphia Athletics from 1901-54. It would become the smallest TV market in Major League Baseball and the smallest market to be home to three major professional sports franchises.

The team and Las Vegas are hoping to draw from the nearly 40 million tourists who visit the city annually to help fill the stadium. The 30,000-seat capacity would make it the smallest MLB stadium.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said a vote on the Oakland Athletics’ prospective move to Las Vegas could take place when owners meet June 13-15 in New York.

The plan faces an uncertain path in the Nevada Legislature. Democratic leaders said financing bills, including for the A’s, may not go through if Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoes the five budget bills, which he has threatened to do as many of his priorities have stalled or faded in the Democratic-controlled Legislature.

Under the bill, the Clark County Board of Commissioners would create a homelessness prevention and assistance fund along the stadium’s area in coordination with MLB and the Nevada Resort Association. There, they would manage funds for services, including emergency rental and utility assistance, job training, rehabilitation and counseling services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The lease agreement with the Las Vegas Stadium Authority would be up for renewal after 30 years.

Nevada’s legislative leadership is reviewing the proposal, Democratic state Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager said in a statement.

“No commitment will be made until we have both evaluated the official proposal and received input from interested parties, including impacted community members,” Yeager said.