Light your torches. Grab your pitch forks. Call Bob Walk. Because I'm going to make a statement that might shake baseball's purists to their core: The Pittsburgh Pirates would benefit from the National League adding the designated hitter. I can hear the screams from where I am in Missouri. Now, keep in mind this isn't an avocation for the NL to adopt a DH. Pitchers hitting adds another layer of depth and strategy to the game, which would disappear if everyone had a DH. Not to mention it ... Read More
Penguins’ 2016 Stanley Cup win reminder that nothing in sports is certain
Rewind to 2009. The Pittsburgh Penguins had just won the Stanley Cup and were beginning to look like the start of the next NHL dynasty. It's hard to blame anyone for thinking Pittsburgh would be the next Gretzky-era Edmonton Oilers. Captain Sidney Crosby was only 21 years old, fellow center Evgeni Malkin was 22 years old and goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury was just 24 years old. The Penguins were loaded with young, superstar talent — and most of them were under team control for years. On June ... Read More
Draft preview: Pirates’ draft philosophy has changed under GM Huntington
In 2011, the Pittsburgh Pirates broke the MLB first-year player draft. They spent a record $11.9 million on that year's class, including $8 million on top pick Gerrit Cole and $5 million on second-round pick Josh Bell. The year before, they spent close to $9 million on top picks Jameson Taillon and Stetson Allie. Pedro Alvarez got $6 million in 2008. Basically, the Pirates spent so much the MLB had to cap how much teams can spend on draft picks. Pittsburgh still aimed high the ... Read More
Pirates’ Taillon can finally justify high selection
It might not have been on the level of Daniel Moskos over Matt Wieters. Still, the Pittsburgh Pirates drafting pitcher Jameson Taillon over shortstop Manny Machado in the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft created a heated dialogue, if not heavy scrutiny. The debate was understandable. Baseball America rated Taillon as its second-best prospect, with Machado right after him. At shortstop, the Pirates had the ever-forgettable Ronny Cedeno starting at the time. No one in the system appeared ... Read More
Chemistry, not making big trades helps lead Penguins to Stanley Cup
Compare the 2012-13 Pittsburgh Penguins to the current roster. Based on skill alone, who is more likely to make the Stanley Cup Finals? If you said this years’ team, you might be lying to yourself. That team three years ago was stacked, and on paper one of the most talented teams in franchise history. They were supposed to breeze through the Eastern Conference on their way to the finals. It was not supposed to be close. Future Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla was acquired for below-market ... Read More
Pirates Kevin Newman living up to first-round billing
Kevin Newman might not have been the flashiest pick of the 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft. He is a college shortstop who had never hit a collegiate home run. His ceiling might not be too high. He was the safe selection. Yet, the Pittsburgh Pirates first-round pick keeps producing. Newman’s .347 batting average is second in the Florida State League. He has even hit two home runs for Single-A Bradenton. The 22-year-old could be ready for a call-up to Double-A Altoona in the coming ... Read More
Matt Joyce thriving off bench for Pirates
Matt Joyce had a rare start Monday. He made it count. The Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder had three hits, three RBIs and scored twice. And his outing in the Pirates' win against the Atlanta Braves was capped when Joyce launched a home run into the right field bleachers in the bottom of the seventh inning. It was only his sixth start of the season, yet, he's made his presence felt. In mostly a pinch-hitting role, Joyce has a .372/.500/.767 line this season. His five home runs are ... Read More
John Jaso has been a surprise success batting leadoff for the Pirates
John Jaso is not supposed to hit leadoff. He’s not a great runner. He’s not a threat to steal at any given moment. He won’t land that perfectly placed drag bunt. Jaso even plays first base. First basemen aren’t supposed to lead off; they’re supposed to hit home runs. In Jaso’s case, none of that matters. The leadoff hitter’s main goal is get on base. And Jaso knows how to get on base. While he might be the most unconventional leadoff hitter the Pittsburgh Pirates have had in years, ... Read More
Pirates sign Justin Masterson to minor league deal
According to Jon Heyman, the Pittsburgh Pirates have signed right-handed starting pitcher Justin Masterson to a minor league deal. Justin Masterson agrees to minors deal with pirates — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 14, 2016 Masterson made nine starts and nine relief appearances for the Boston Red Sox in 2015 with a 5.61 ERA in 59.1 innings. The 31-year-old has a 4.31 career ERA, with a 64-74 record. He has also played for the Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals, and was an AL ... Read More
What Polanco’s extension means for Pirates future
When Gregory Polanco agreed to an extension, the Pittsburgh Pirates solidified their future outfield. Or did they? In the short term, yes. The trio of Polanco, Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte are now under contract through the 2018 season. Things get unclear after that. McCutchen’s contract ends after the 2018 season, and it is hard to say whether he will be re-signed. Does having Polanco in the fold until at least 2021 help prepare for McCutchen’s departure? He is one of ... Read More