The Pirate bullpen was an anchor of the team last year as they were handed small leads many times over the course of the 2013 season and, for the most part, succeeded in bridging the gap between starter and setup/closer. Jeanmar Gomez: 2013: 3 - 0, 3.35 ERA in 80 2/3 IN with 53 strikeouts and 28 walks. Gomez proved more valuable than just a reliever last season as he made 8 spot starts for the Pirates in place of the injured Wandy Rodriguez. In those eight starts between May 1st and June ... Read More
Pirates Position Preview: Catcher
We continue our preview of the 2014 Pittsburgh Pirates with the men at the catching position. Russell Martin: Martin was the Pirates defensive leader in 2013 as the Bucco backstop barely missed winning his second career gold glove award to Cardinal catcher, Yadier Molina. He re-established a run defense that was made into swiss cheese by opposing teams over the last couple years by throwing out 36 baserunners (1st among NL C) and only committing two errors for a .998 fielding percentage (1st ... Read More
Pirates Claim Third Basemen Brent Morel
The Pittsburgh Pirates today claimed third baseman Brent Morel off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays. The announcement was made by Pirates Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington. The Pirates will announce a corresponding move on the 40-man roster to make room for Morel later today. Morel spent a majority of the 2013 season with Charlotte (White Sox’ AAA), where he hit .266 (105-for- 395) with 30 doubles, three triples, six home runs and 54 RBI in 106 games. He also played in ... Read More
Pirates Position Preview: Middle Infield
With pitchers and catchers settling into Pirate City, it's now time for the rest of the squad to make their way to the Bradenton complex to begin spring training. Most of the pieces from last season's NLDS run return to go at it again, but there are others that hope to shake the roster up come opening day. We begin with the middle infield positions of Neil Walker, Jordy Mercer, Clint Barmes and Josh Harrison. Neil Walker: Walker had a down season last year batting .251/.339/.757 with 24 ... Read More
Francisco Liriano Named Opening Day Starter
Clint Hurdle took no time in announcing his opening day starters he has given Francisco Liriano the honor on the first full day of spring training workouts. Liriano, last years NL Comeback Player of the Year, had a stellar 2013 posting a 16 - 8 record in 26 games with a 3.02 ERA and 163 strikeouts in 161 innings of work. His ERA would have been in the mid-two's had he not have given up 10 runs in Colorado and 7 runs in Milwaukee which dropped him out of Cy Young consideration. He finished ninth ... Read More
Baseball is Back as the Pirates Begin Spring Training
The day has come, baseball fans. Spring Training is officially upon us as pitchers and catchers -- with a handful of position players -- took part in the teams first workout of the 2014 season. All 36 pitchers and catchers invited to spring training were in attendance while position players Chase d'Arnaud, Chris McGuiness, Jordy Mercer, Neil Walker, Jaff Decker, Jose Tabata and Gaby Sanchez attended as well. Only Kyle McPherson and Wandy Rodriguez didn't participate due to rehab from ... Read More
A.J. Burnett Signs With Phillies
Multiple sources have reported that A.J. Burnett has signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies worth $16 million. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com has reported Burnett turned down a $12M offer from Pittsburgh. #pirates offered aj burnett $12M. very fair offer, yet still blown away by #phillies' $16M bid. — Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) February 13, 2014 The news comes hours after the Pirates opened up spring training for pitchers and catchers. After last season, Burnett told 93.7 ... Read More
Pirate HOF Ralph Kiner Has Passed Away at Age 91.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame has announced that former Pirate slugger and Hall of Famer, Ralph Kiner has passed away at the age of 91. The Hall said Kiner died at his home in Rancho Mirage, CA with his family at his side. Pirates President Frank Coonelly has released a statement on Kiner's passing. “All of us at the Pittsburgh Pirates have heavy hearts upon learning of Ralph Kiner’s passing. Ralph was one of the greatest players to ever wear a Pirates uniform and was a tireless ... Read More
Pirates Land 6 Players in MLB.com Top 100 Prospects
The MLB named it's Top 100 prospects for the 2014 season and the Pittsburgh Pirates are well represented. Six players in the Bucco pipeline were named to the list which ranks second in the NL Central behind the Chicago Cubs seven players. Here are the Pirates representatives and their ranking. #74 Joshua Bell - Bell played 119 games for Class-A West Virginia last season bating .279/.453/.806 with 37 doubles, 13 home runs and 76 RBI. #67 Alen Hanson - Hanson played a combined 127 games ... Read More
Top Five Pirate Victories of 2013
2013 was a monumental year for the Pittsburgh Pirates as they not only broke "The Streak", but they reestablished a fan base that had been dormant for years. There are a large amount of games that took place over the course of the 2013 that defined this years Pittsburgh Pirates, but we wanted to narrow it down to five memorable victories that helped the Buccos change history. #5) Sunday, April 14th vs. Cincinnati (10 - 7) The Pirates had come into this early April homestand reeling after a ... Read More