For the final time before the second half of play begins, Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington met with reporters to discuss various topics. On pitcher Gerrit Cole's health and ideal return date: “We'll see how he responds and bounces back. Ideally, we'll get him back soon after the All-Star break if he can, but if he needs another one we'll get him another one.” On pitcher Jameson Taillon's health: “He's doing great. We had planned on giving him 10 days around the All-Star ... Read More
Huntington: Glasnow, Bell will remain in Triple-A for time being
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington met with reporters Sunday. Here's what he had to say. On prized prospect Josh Bell: “Defensively, he continues to be a work in progress and is getting better, but there is still work to do. With Josh, we are talking about an outfielder moving into the infield, and that takes more time. It's more game situation and awareness and where he needs to be and what he needs to do. Offensively, the power is beginning to show. He'll learn how to work ... Read More
Pirates’ season hinges on next few weeks
In the eyes of many Pittsburgh sports fans, there's a bit of an empty feeling. The Penguins' season is over, and the Steelers' season hasn't started yet — so what now? Over the past three years, the strong play of the Pirates has tided fans over during the sports lull, but a stretch of poor play has some fans feeling blasé. Prior to Monday night's 1-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants, the Pirates had lost their last five games and 10 of their last 11. They are currently one ... Read More
Pirates’ signing of Justin Masterson makes perfect sense
In signing pitcher Justin Masterson to a minor-league deal late Thursday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Pirates consummated a long-running flirtation. Masterson was rumored to be a target of the team at various points in the off-season. In relying mainly on a sinker/slider combination to go along with a four-seam fastball, he easily fits the bill of what the Pirates look for in starting pitching. The right-hander’s resume is a mixed bag of unrealized potential and occasional bright spots. In ... Read More
Nicasio fits the mold of the Pirates next reclamation project
The Pittsburgh Pirates signing of Juan Nicasio may seem all too familiar to Pirates fans. Nicasio is a hard throwing reliever with a high strikeout rate. He’s had control issues in the past. He was acquired for next to nothing (one year, $3 million deal). Last season Arquimedes Caminero fit that mold. Before Caminero it was Mark Melancon – though Joel Hanrahan was decent return at the time. Before Melancon is was Jason Grilli. If there is one thing general manager Neal Huntington and ... Read More
COLUMN: Deserving Benedict will be missed by Pirates
It is a sad day for the Pittsburgh Pirates as Jim Benedict, whose work has been praised from top to bottom in the organization, has departed to join the Miami Marlins as vice president of pitching. Though the title sounds like a bizarre one, this is a compliment to a man who frankly I am surprised was even with the Pirates last season. Benedict and Ray Searage made a great team that consistently improved Pirates pitchers. Whether they found success with the team or with another after their ... Read More
Pirates feel Huntington deserving of award
Baltimore Orioles general manager Dan Duquette has started a campaign to get his Pittsburgh Pirates counterpart Neal Huntington to be named 2015 MLB Executive of the Year. The Pirates players are on board, too. “What he’s done this year is really what he’s put together the past seven years he’s been here," Jared Hughes said. "He’s changed the mentality of our squad and organization. He finds guys with character and hires them both on and off the field.” Hughes almost referred to honoring ... Read More
Pirates, Huntington look towards playoffs
Pittsburgh Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington handled a variety of topics in his final regular season press conference, mostly playoff related. Below is a sampling of his remarks. Commentary of being in division with three best records: “Thank goodness the Astros aren’t in the division. The Cardinals are the model franchise for basically anybody in baseball and Cubs have been acquiring a vast amount of talent for the last four years. They’ve had the luxury to add payroll this year. The ... Read More
Neal Huntington talks about assistant Tyrone Brooks and inning counts
It is a time of the year that is starting to become commonplace for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team is in both a division and wild card race and each decision is becoming more important than the next. With that in mind, Pirates general manager Neal Huntington discussed innings counts and director of player personnel Tyrone Brooks reportedly being courted by the Milwaukee Brewers for their vacant general manager position. Brooks is in his 20th year in baseball and has had stops with the ... Read More
Diaz embraces Pirates debut
All of the hard work culminated into one moment for Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Elias Diaz. Diaz, the 14th ranked Pirates prospect heading into the season, saw his major league dream become a reality when he was one of the team's six September call-ups this season. Saturday night, Diaz saw another dream become a reality when he made a pinch-hit appearance in the eighth inning of the team's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. “It was amazing," Diaz said. "I feel great, I don’t have words ... Read More