Pirates purchase minor league team from Reds

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Time for a peek at Mudcats

Same uniforms.

Different players.

When the Carolina Mudcats became the Cincinnati Reds' Double-A affiliate in September, the move meant new faces would be appearing to Zebulon this spring.

Pirates owner rejected Lemieux offer to buy team

Pirates owner Bob Nutting declined to listen to separate proposals to buy the team last year, including a surprise bid from Pittsburgh Penguins co-owner Mario Lemieux, officials with knowledge of the talks told The Associated Press.

The officials spoke Saturday on condition of anonymity because the talks were private. The Pirates confirmed discussions with Lemieux and Penguins co-owner Ron Burkle took place, but said there was no talk about selling.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette first reported Saturday that Lemieux and Burkle made an unsolicited proposal for the Pirates four months ago - one that was substantial and serious, a person with knowledge of the offer told The Associated Press.

Report: Mets, Bay have agreement

The New York Mets have reportedly come to terms with outfielder Jason Bay. WFAN reported that an official announcement will come once Bay passes a physical, while the New York Post is reporting that the deal is for four years and $66 million with a vesting option for a fifth season.

Bay, who spent some time in the Mets minor league system in 2002, hit .267 last season for the Red Sox, but set career-highs with 36 home runs and 119 RBI. He also stole 13 bases, the most he has had in a season since swiping 21 in 2005 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The 31-year-old native of British Columbia had reportedly been seeking at least a five-year deal and was also being courted by the Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Mets and Bay make it official

The New York Mets and outfielder Jason Bay made it official Tuesday, as the team inked the outfielder to a four- year deal.

Although financial terms were not released, Bay is expected to make $66 million over the course of the contract. The backloaded deal, which includes an $8.5 million signing bonus and a full no trade clause, will pay the three- time All-Star $6.5 million this coming season and $16 million for each of the following three seasons.

The contract also includes an option that would become guaranteed if Bay reaches 600 plate appearances in 2013 or 500 plate appearances in both the 2012 and '13 seasons, which could possibly push the total of the deal to $80 million.

RailHawks add to ownership group

Triangle Professional Sports LLC, the parent company of the Carolina RailHawks professional soccer team, announced Thursday the addition of Lulu.com and former Red Hat Inc. CEO Bob Young to its ownership group.

Young is the founder and CEO of Lulu.com, a self-publishing Web-based company based in Morrisville. Prior to founding Lulu.com, Young co-founded Red Hat, Inc. in 1993, where he served on the board of directors with Selby Wellman who, with son Brian, holds the majority stake in Triangle Professional Sports and the RailHawks.

This is not the first foray into professional sports for Bob Young; in 2003 he acquired the Canadian Football League's Hamilton Tiger-Cats and currently serves as the league's vice chairman.