Previously, we’ve taken a look at who the Pittsburgh Pirates’ impending free agents as well as their players arbitration-eligible players. The latter story did not cover Pedro Alvarez, Neil Walker or Mark Melancon, since their situations are worth a closer look. All three will be eligible for free agency after the 2016 season, and Walker and Melancon are already 30, with Alvarez being 28. So, here is a closer look at all three’s off-season situations. Pedro Alvarez – It is hard to remember ... Read More
Pirates will have tough decisions to make in arbitration
Last week, we took a look at the Pittsburgh Pirates who are set to be free agents. Now, it's time to check in on their players that are arbitration eligible this off-season. The Pirates have 12 players that are eligible for arbitration, however first baseman Pedro Alvarez, second baseman Neil Walkand closer Mark Melancon’s situations will be broken down in greater detail later due to their significance. That leaves nine players the Pirates can tender a contract to. These players can accept ... Read More
Reviewing the Pirates impending free agents
With the 2015 season coming to an abrupt end for the Pittsburgh Pirates, they have plenty of time to evaluate their crop of impending free agents before they are set to hit the market. None of them are players they would have to break the bank to keep, though there are a few that the club will likely let find a new team for 2016. Also keep in mind that this list does not include pitcher A.J. Burnett or third baseman Aramis Ramirez, since both said they plan to retire at the end of the ... Read More
Arrieta matchup similar to 2013 Wild Card game
Life just isn’t fair for the Pittsburgh Pirates. They had a terrific season in which they won over 90 games; but just by sheer geographical coincidence they were stuck in the division with the team with the best record in baseball. And what is their reward? They get to play in a winner-take-all Wild Card game against another National League Central opponent. Oh, and they have to face a pitcher that dominated them all season. Sounds like the situation the Pirates will be in against ... Read More
Pirates have big decision to make with Happ
Disclaimer: Obviously the Pirates are not done playing baseball yet in 2015, and their focus should be on winning the World Series. But it doesn’t hurt for us to take a peek at what may happen with Happ once the season is over while we wait for the Wild Card game. J.A. Happ discovered in early August skipping a start can be a good thing. After getting roughed up by the Chicago Cubs in his first Pirates start on August 4 to the tune of nine hits and four runs given up over 4.1 innings, Happ was ... Read More
Boykin still not seeing field for Steelers
On the St. Louis Rams’ final offensive play Sunday, three Pittsburgh Steeler cornerbacks were on the field. Brandon Boykin was not one of them. Up by six with less than two minutes left in the game, the Steelers needed to stop the Rams’ passing game. But Boykin, whom the Steelers gave up a fifth round draft pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for in training camp, was standing on sideline next to Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Helmet in hand with his arms crossed, all Boykin could do was ... Read More
Biggest regular season series ever at PNC Park?
When the Pittsburgh Pirates take the field Monday to start a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals, huge playoff implications will be on the line. First place in the NL Central, and not having to face Chicago Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta in a one-and-done playoff game is the prize, and will go a long way to the Pirates’ World Series chances. With the Cardinals three games above the Pirates with six games left, the Pirates still control their own destiny to winning the ... Read More
Subtle celebration shows Pirates have bigger aspirations
The Pittsburgh Pirates do take clinching a playoff berth for granted, but they have also bigger goals. Players did not pop champagne after securing their third straight playoff berth Wednesday in Colorado. No plastic covered the locker room. No goggles were needed, nor were players wildly jumping in celebration with the fizzing, white bubbly drink spraying all over. Instead it was just their usual postgame high-fives on the field after beating the Rockies 13-7, followed by a low-key ... Read More
Heyward-Bey needs to hold on to golden opportunity to save career
The auditorium in Radio City Music Hall in New York echoed cries of shock and disbelief when NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced the Oakland Raiders’ 2009 first-round pick. “With the seventh pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select Darrius Heyward-Bey, wide receiver Maryland,” he uttered into the microphone attached to the podium on the hall’s front stage during the April draft. Not Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree, the consensus top wide receiver of that draft ... Read More
Broxton adds speed to Pirates bench, outfield
Keon Broxton wasted little time in making an impact during his first Major League appearance for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Donning a No. 60 gray Pirates’ jersey, the outfielder made his debut Monday – the same day he was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis – when he trotted to first base to pinch-run for Aramis Ramirez in the top of the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies, and promptly reached second base on a Neil Walker groundout that scored Andrew McCutchen. Broxton took his lead ... Read More