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Morning Mound Visit: Of course the Pirates are the first team to cut benefits

The Pirates suspend retirement benefits; remembering some guys who are still playing in the KBO; Trey Mancini gives an update on his cancer treatment

By Kenny Kelly

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MLB: Milwaukee Brewers at Pittsburgh Pirates Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

Evan Drellich and Ken Rosenthal | The Athletic $: If you had the Pittsburgh Pirates as the first team to cut benefits for their employees, you win the pot. The Pirates, who Forbes estimates are valued at $1.26 billion, are suspending retirement contributions for their staff. In the Pirates’ defense, salaries aren’t affected (yet) aside from higher ups who have voluntarily taken pay cuts. Compare that to the San Diego Padres who promised to pay employees through October 31, but at a reduced rate.

Patrick Dubuque | Baseball Prospectus: The KBO, which is set to start its season on May 5, allows each team a maximum of three foreign-born players on the roster. Teams can carry up to two pitchers (and generally take a pair of hurlers), so with 10 teams in the league, that leaves 10 foreign hitters in the league. Patrick Dubuque profiled the 10 hitters.

Trey Mancini | The Players’ Tribune: Trey Mancini was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer in the middle of spring training, and he began chemotherapy earlier this month. Mancini is doing his best to keep his spirits high even if when MLB returns in 2020 it will be without him.

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