The Pirates are interested in left-handed pitcher John Lannan, according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The Twins have also shown interest in Lannan, according to the Washington Post's Adam Kilgore.
The Pirates have liked Lannan for a while but are only now able to sign him without giving up any players after he was non-tendered by the Nationals. Until last season, Lannan had been a mainstay in the Nationals’ starting rotation. From 2008 to 2011, Lannan made at least 25 for the team each year.
Lannan, 28, was beat out by prospect Ross Detwiler for the fifth spot in the team’s rotation last spring and spent most of the season in Triple-A. After the team shut down pitcher Stephen Strasburg, Lannan made six starts with the major league club. In 783 2/3 career innings, Lannan has a 4.01 ERA and a 4.57 FIP.
Biertempfel adds that Garrett Jones has drawn some interest from the Orioles and that two teams did not show interest in dealing for Pirates closer Joel Hanrahan.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on the latest rumors from bloggers Chris Cwik, Jack Moore and R.J. White, follow @MLBRumorsCBS.
