To say the 2012 Pittsburgh Pirates season was a roller coaster for the team and fans alike would be a tremendous understatement. You all know the story by now. A team that is 16 games over .500 in August just collapses like we've never seen before. Ok actually, we saw the same thing take place in 2011, but not to this magnitude. There is one man who stayed consistent throughout the season for the Pirates winning awards and becoming exposed to a national audience. Don't let the recognition or ... Read More
Cooperstown not adding any new faces
One of baseball’s brightest days has turned into a disappointment today. For the first time since 1996, no new members will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. The most notable members of this year’s potential class were one-time Pirate Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, Roger Clemens, Mike Piazza, Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell. Players like Bonds, Sosa, McGwire, Palmeiro, and Clemens may never see Cooperstown because of their involvement during the Steroid ... Read More
Is this another ‘what if’ offseason for Pirates?
Looking at the Pirates moving forward into the 2013 many people keep hearing the same thing like they have for the last 20 seasons - The ‘if’ Factor. For two decades they would either trade for or sign a player that may have had good numbers in a previous season and always say things like, “If he returns to form it will be a great deal.” After two epic season collapses in a row, it is time to get the guarantee players instead of continually getting gambles. Taking a look at the first ... Read More
Pirates/Red Sox finalize six-player deal
While the deal was finalized until today, the Pirates and the Red Sox agreed to a six-player deal that would send Joel Hanrahan and a player to be named to Boston for Jerry Sands and three other Red Sox prospects a few days ago. Today, the other names were released as the deal was complete. Along with Hanrahan, the Pirates shipped out infield prospect Brock Holt in the deal and received Mark Melancon, Stolmy Pimentel and Ivan DeJesus Jr. along with Sands. For the Pirates, Hanrahan was set to ... Read More
A familiar face hopes to return a winning culture back to Pittsburgh
When Pirates hitting coach Gregg Ritchie opted to coach his alma mater George Washington University following the 2012 season, the search for a new hitting coach was on. Clint Hurdle, Neal Huntington and company decided on a familiar face to the Pittsburgh faithful. Jay Bell was manning the middle infield when Pittsburgh last had a winning team. With his hire as hitting coach, Bell is looking to do his part in returning a winning culture back to Pittsburgh. “One of the things that really ... Read More
Pirates reportedly agree to two-year deal with Francisco Liriano
According to LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Pirates have agreed to a two-year deal with Francisco Liriano worth $14 million. The south-paw spent last year in Minnesota and Chicago where he posted a combined 6-12 record with a 5.34 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Liriano has had an up-and-down career with his best statistical season coming in 2006 where he posted a 12-3 record. Liriano posted a 9.6 SO/9 last season, his highest ratio since 2006. Liriano had a 0.2 WAR with ... Read More
‘Tis the season of giving for Andrew McCutchen
It's a common misconception that athletes assume the responsibility of being a role model for young kids once they make it to the pro's. With the amount of times they appear in the news for negative off-field antics, it could be easy to lose hope that good guys still exist in the professional sports realm. For Andrew McCutchen, however, he embraces his role of a role model and with the holiday season upcoming, he's ready to give the community more than just their first winning season ... Read More
Pirates re-sign Jason Grilli to two-year deal
Jason Grilli (64 G, 2.94 ERA, 90 K’s) will be a Pirate for two more years. Well, at least in contract he will be. Last night, Grilli agreed to a two year, $6.75 million dollar contract with the Bucs (pending a physical). This, according to sources, was actually a hometown discount compared to other teams offering. When was the last time Pirates fans heard that with a big name free agent? This signing is huge because what it does is allow the front office to pursue talks with teams ... Read More
Pirates sign Russell Martin to two-year deal
Over the past few days, the Twitterverse has been buzzing about the top free agent catcher Russell Martin possibly becoming a Pittsburgh Pirate. While it seemed hard to believe that Martin would choose the small-market Pirates over the New York Yankees, his team for the past two years, Martin did just that. Wait what? The Pirates actually beat the Yankees for a top free agent? As first reported by Ken Rosenthal, the Pirates have agreed to terms with Martin pending a physical. Although ... Read More
MLB top 50 free agents
25 - 1 Last week, MLB Trade Rumors came out with the top 50 free agents for the 2013 season. Here they are with their 2012 stat line and what they believe to be a good fit for that player. This doesn’t mean those are the teams that these players will go to, it’s only a prediction. 25) Joe Saunders (3 – 3, 3.63 ERA, 23 K’s, 7 G w/ Baltimore) - Orioles 24) Stephen Drew (.25 AVG, 5 HR, 16 RBI, 39 G w/ A’s) - Red Sox 23) Marco Scutaro (.362 AVG, 3 HR, 44 RBI, 61 G w/ Giants) - ... Read More