There were questions going into the 2014 season about the lack of offense at the middle-infield positions for the Pirates. At second base, Neil Walker had shown glimpses of power, but injuries plagued him forcing him to sit when things seemed to be coming around. At shortstop, there wasn't much to look forward to. Clint Barmes could barely keep his head above the Mendoza line and a young Jordy Mercer looked to be at least a full year or two away from being a solid starter. To the surprise ... Read More
Pirates spring training: Three things to watch
1) Pedro Alvarez's move to first Alvarez has the potential to be a 30+ home run guy — as seen during the 2013 season — but his defensive struggles last season may have aided in his lack of offense (.231/.312/.405 slash with 18 home runs in 122 games). Although he didn't attend voluntary workouts in Bradenton, Alvarez has reportedly been working out in Nashville during the offseason and is at 100% health going into spring training. A change to first could help Alvarez focus solely on his ... Read More
Neal Huntington on Jung-ho Kang’s position with Pirates
Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington went on 93.7 "The Fan" on Wednesday to discuss Jung-ho Kang and the Pirates going into the 2015 season. While Huntington has made it clear that Kang will be with the Pirates when they open the season in Cincinnati, he has also stated that the team won't rush the former KBO (Korean Baseball Organization) superstar into a starting role with the team. "We believe he's going to be a very good big league player. A solid regular," Huntington told the Starkey ... Read More
Pirates finalize deal with Kang
The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed infielder Jung Ho Kang (pronounced “GAHNG”) to a four-year, $11 million deal with a $5.5 million club option for the 2019 season. The 27-year-old Kang hit .356 (149-for-418) with 36 doubles, 40 home runs and 117 RBI in 117 games with the Nexen Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) in 2014. He led the league in slugging percentage (.739) and OPS (1.198) while ranking second in on-base percentage (.459), home runs and total bases (309). "First I ... Read More
Kang to sign with Pirates
Korean infielder Jung-ho Kang has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates as reported by Jim Bowden of ESPN. Kang has agreed to terms with Pirates 4yrs with 5th yr option at approx 16m — Jim Bowden (@JimBowden_ESPN) January 12, 2015 Kang is expected to fly to Pittsburgh and undergo a physical on Thursday or Friday. If he signs with the team and passes the physical, he will stay in Pittsburgh as reported by Jeeho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency out of Seoul, South ... Read More
Pirates invite eight to Spring Training, close to deal with Kang
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Friday that they have signed RHP Wilfredo Boscan and LHP Charlie Leesman to minor league contracts with invitations to Major League camp. Boscan, 25, posted a 3.66 ERA with 48 strikeouts and 17 walks in 22 appearances (66 1/3 innings) between Class AA Portland and Class AAA Pawtucket (Red Sox). Boscan has spent eight years in the minors between the San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers and Boston Red Sox. Leesman, 27, made one start for the Chicago White Sox ... Read More
Pirates win bidding for Korean SS Kang
The Pittsburgh Pirates have won the bidding to negotiate a contract with Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO). The bid submitted by the Pirates was just over $5 million, which more than double the expected bid of $2 million as reported by Jeeho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency in Seoul, South Korea. Per source: Nexen was expecting about $2 million in posting (low expectations after two KBO players before Kang got around that money) — Jeeho Yoo (@Jeeho_1) ... Read More