The Pirates showed movement today as they signed free agent RHP Edinson Volquez to a one-year $5M dollar contract. His numbers haven't been great the past few years after finishing as a Cy Young candidate with Cincinnati in 2008 (His rookie season). Some have said that he has the same outlook as Francisco Liriano. The only question is can Ray Searage and co. turn him into this years comeback player. This also means that there is a good likelihood that A.J. Burnett will not be back next season ... Read More
Pirates Sign Volquez to a One Year Deal
The Pirates and free-agent RHP Edinson Volquez have agreed to a one-year, $5 Million Dollar contract, pending physical. Volquez went 9 - 12 last season in 27 starts for the San Diego Padres and 5 starts with the LA Dodgers with a combined 5.71 ERA and142 strikeouts. A rival executive told Ken Rosenthal that the deal "Makes sence." Rival exec on #Pirates' agreement with Volquez. "Makes sense. Liriano profile. Strikeouts and groundballs." — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 11, ... Read More
Pirates at the MLB Winter Meetings: Day 2
Day two of the annual MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida have concluded and the Pirates still have not made any moves, but they are trying to put some things into motion. Today was also the day that the GIBBY awards were handed out and a few are coming back to the steel city. Buster Olney of ESPN reports that the Pirates have resumed talks with free agent 1B, James Loney. Pirates are resuming talks here about possibly signing James Loney. — Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 10, ... Read More
Pirates at the MLB Winter Meetings: Day 1
Things remained calm in the Pirates camp for day one of the MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida. Although, that doesn't mean Neal Huntington hasn't been busy. Huntington told Bill Brink of the Post-Gazette that they remain in talks with A.J. Burnett while he considers retiring or returning to the team for another year. Huntington told them they do not have a timeframe for his decision, but this hasn't blocked any other moves by the organization. He also told brink that they ... Read More
Pirates Looking at Help at 1B
Jayson Stark has reported that the Pirates are searching the market for a left handed bat at first base and a few names have surfaced. Clubs that have talked to #Pirates believe James Loney emerging as their top choice at 1B. Heard they've also asked on Adam Lind & Moreland — Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) December 4, 2013 Loney had a solid year with the Tampa Bay Rays last season as he posted his best numbers since his rookie year with the Dodgers in 2007. In 158 games, he batted ... Read More
Pirates Management Addresses Chambers Passing
Pirates management has released a statement from Neil Huntington on the passing ov Evan Chambers: "All of us at the Pittsburgh Pirates are shocked and saddened by Evan's sudden passing in his sleep this past weekend.Beyond being just a talented ballplayer, Evan was a great teammate and a quiet leader who went about his craft as a professional every day. Off the field, Evan loved making a difference in the community, and often dedicated a lot of his time working with children in the ... Read More
Pirates Make Trade With Padres, DFA Jones, McPherson
The Pittsburgh Pirates today acquired outfielder Jaff Decker (first name pronounced Jeff) and right-handed pitcher Miles Mikolas from the San Diego Padres in exchange for minor league outfielder Alex Dickerson. The announcement was made by Pirates Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington. Decker, who was San Diego’s supplemental first round selection (42nd pick overall) in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, hit .286 (100-for-350) with 23 doubles, 10 home runs and 40 RBI in 105 ... Read More
Reds to hire Jay Bell as bench coach
Ken Rosenthal has reported that the Cincinnati Reds are close to hiring Pirates hitting coach Jay Bell as bench coach. Sources: #Reds to hire #Pirates hitting coach Jay Bell as bench coach. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 12, 2013 In Bell's one season as Pirates hitting coach, the Bucco offense posted a .245 BA (11th NL)/.396 SLG (9th NL)/.709 OPS (8th NL) while hitting 161 home runs (T-3rd NL) and recording 603 RBI's (9th NL). The team struck out 1330 times which was third in the ... Read More
Three Pirates Fall Short of Rawlings Gold Glove Award
Andrew McCutchen, Russell Martin and Starling Marte were shut out on Tuesday night for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award. Carlos Gomez defeated Andrew McCutchen for the NL Gold Glove in CF. Cutch recorded 321 put-outs (5th among NL CF's) while assisting on 11 plays (3rd among NL CF's) and recording 3 double plays (1st among NL CF's). His wins over replacement was an 8.2 which is 3rd for all NL players in 2013. Russell Martin fell to Yadier Molina for the catchers award. Martins 103 assists at ... Read More
Liriano Named Sporting News NL Comeback POY
Follow @TBerardi_OVA Francisco Liriano has been named the Sporting News NL Comeback Player of the Year as voted by the NL players. Liriano posted a 16 - 8 record with a 3.02 ERA in 26 starts for the Pirates while striking out 163 batters and walking 63. He was signed in the offseason to a two-year, seven million dollar deal which had been reworked down from a larger amount after he suffered a broken non-throwing arm on Christmas Day of last year while playing with his children. The injury ... Read More