As expected, Florida State League owners this afternoon approved the Pirates' purchase of Cincinnati's Sarasota franchise, which they'll move to Bradenton and McKechnie Field starting with league play this April.

Pirates owner Bob Nutting in a statement called the new team -- whose name and logo will be announced later -- "the latest investment by the club to improve its core baseball operations."

The advanced Class A league entry replaces the Carolina League's Lynchburg, which the Reds purchased as part of this swap of minor-league teams.

The Pirates also announced that season tickets for the new Bradenton club will cost $210 for a reserved seat to 70 home games and a FSL pass good for any road game, among other accoutrements.

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