As expected, Russell Martin has rejected the Pirates $15.3 million qualifying offer as reported by Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. no surprise, martin, who has very strong market, will reject qualifying offer. #cubs #bucs #la http://t.co/5yEON4CFYD— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) November 10, 2014 Martin — who is the biggest free agent at catcher — is expected to get a large multi-year offer which could be as high as $13-$15 million per year over a 4-5 year contract. Martin ... Read More
McCutchen, Walker win Silver Slugger Award
Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker were announced as NL Silver Slugger Award winners on Thursday night presented by Louisville Slugger. The award goes to the best offensive player per position in both the National and American leagues. McCutchen won his third consecutive award after posting a slash line of .314/.410/.542 and an OPS of .952 with 25 home runs, 38 doubles, six triples and 83 RBI in 146 games this season. McCutchen is the first Pirate to post three straight seasons batting ... Read More
Martin named Wilson Defensive Catcher of the Year
Wilson named their Defensive Players of the Year on Wednesday, an award given to the best defensive player at each position among the MLB. They named Pirates catcher Russell Martin the Defensive Catcher of the Year a day after Martin finished behind Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina for the NL Rawlings Gold Glove Award at the position. Martin finished in the top five in four of the major defensive categories among Major League catchers placing fifth in runs added (19.3) — a pitch framing ... Read More
Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen, Clint Hurdle finalists for MLB awards
At the end of the 2013 campaign, the Pittsburgh Pirates cleaned up when it came to collecting season ending awards. They have a chance to do so again this season. Both Andrew McCutchen and Clint Hurdle were named finalists for the same awards they took home a season ago after leading the Bucs to a second consecutive postseason appearance. McCutchen is among the three contenders for the 2014 MVP award, along with Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw and Miami outfielder Giancarlo ... Read More
Many questions in free agency for the Pirates
The Major League Baseball free agency period has officially begun and while Pirates fans keep their eyes on what Russell Martin will do, other questions remain. Will Francisco Liriano accept the qualifying offer and come back for another season? If Liriano accepts the offer, the Pirates will have two starting spots solidified. Charlie Morton is likely to miss the beginning of the 2015 season and the status of Volquez is unknown. That leaves Vance Worley and Jeff Locke as possible pieces ... Read More
Pirates give Martin, Liriano qualifying offers
The Pittsburgh Pirates have given qualifying offers of $15.3 million each to Russell Martin and Francisco Liriano. Martin — who is the best catcher on the free agent market — posted a slash line of .290/.430/.832 with 11 home runs, 20 doubles and 67 RBI in 460 plate appearances. He struck out only 78 times which is second-lowest in his nine year career. Martin is a finalist for a gold glove award at catcher thanks to another solid season behind the plate posting a .994 fielding percentage ... Read More
Three prospects named to Arizona Fall League All-Star team
Three prospects from the Pirates organization have been selected for the Arizona Fall League's Fall Stars game on Saturday night (8 p.m. ET on MLB Network and MLB.com). Catcher Elias Diaz, first baseman Josh Bell and RHP Adrian Sampson were selected to the East Division squad. Diaz — who spent time between AA Altoona and AAA Indianapolis this season — has posted a .267/.371/.771 slash line with two doubles, a triple and three RBI in nine games. Bell — who is considered as the Pirates ... Read More
Pirates acquire Stinson/Sellers
The Pirates have already begun to mold the organization for next season as they signed RHP Josh Stinson to a minor league contract and acquired minor league INF Justin Sellers from the Indians for cash considerations. The 26-year-old Stinson made Baltimore’s 2014 Opening Day roster and made seven appearances prior to being optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on April 28. He went 5-5 with a 5.48 ERA (85.1ip/52er) and one save in 22 games (13 starts) with Norfolk, winning five straight decisions from ... Read More
McCutchen named Sporting News N.L. All-Star
The Sporting News released their season N.L. and A.L. All-Stars on Wednesday as voted on by league executives. Nine position players — one for each position — a starting pitcher and a closer were chosen for the team. Andrew McCutchen was selected for one of the three outfield slots along with Giancarlo Stanton and Justin Upton. McCutchen finished the 2014 season with a .314/.410/.542 slash line with 25 home runs, 38 doubles and 18 stolen bases while recording a 6.4 WAR, which was ... Read More
Pirates to extend qualifying offer to Martin
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports the Pirates plan on giving a $15.3 million qualifying offer to Russell Martin, as expected. pirates plan to extend qualifying offer to star catcher russell martin. http://t.co/eBh36gEk4q — Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) October 16, 2014 This should not come as a surprise to anyone as Pirates management has publicly said they plan on going out of their comfort zone to try and keep the catcher in Pittsburgh. Heyman previously reported that the Pirates ... Read More