In part two of analyzing the Pirates offseason, take a look at the guys the Pirates parted ways with. Good-byes: Oct. 20 Baltimore Orioles claim Vance Worley off waivers - Worley was a likable guy and very pleasant in the dealings I had with him, but it was clear that the Pirates were done waiting for him to show consistent promise as a starter. Worley had a trying season and saw his time as a starter with the Pirates end in Philadelphia, site of where he had some of his best pitching ... Read More
Top 10 moments in 2015: Some players became favorites, one protested
While no Pittsburgh sports teams brought home titles in 2015, there were still a lot of happenings on and off the field. From athletes returning to Pittsburgh, record breaking performances, late-season let downs and the protest of a quarterback, Pittsburgh Sporting News is counting down the top 10 sports stories in Pittsburgh in 2015. The first half includes stories 10 thru six. No. 10 – Gung Ho for Jung Ho When the Pittsburgh Pirates signed Jung Ho Kang to a four-year, $11 million ... Read More
Do the Pittsburgh Pirates have a legitimate cleanup hitter?
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a cleanup hitter problem. Indeed, the fourth spot in the batting order is a nebulous one for the team as it is currently constructed. Traditionally, a hitter in that spot is counted on to provide protection for a team's third hitter and, well, clean up by driving in any runners left on base. Last year, the team felt that the cleanup hitter was enough of a weakness to address it mid-season in the form of welcoming Aramis Ramirez back to the fold. Ramirez ... Read More
Pirates offseason analyzed: New additions
It has been a busy time all around baseball as the 2015 season is over and teams are trying to find the right pieces to make a run toward the 2016 World Series. The Pittsburgh Pirates are no different and have welcomed some faces, while saying goodbye to other ones. Hellos: Oct. 24 Pirates acquire Trevor Williams - This was a bizarre acquisition as this was later revealed to be compensation for the Pirates losing their "pitching guru" in Jim Benedict, someone whose opinion had high ... Read More
Face off Friday: Pirates roundtable
If there's one thing Pittsburgh Pirates fan love, it's debating the team's move during the off-season. The signing of John Jaso and acquisition of Yoervis Medina gave fans plenty of chances to do so. We here at the Pittsburgh Sporting News are no exception. Fellow Pirates contributor Jose Negron and I went back and forth via email on a few key hot stove topics, and that exchange is recounted for you here. On the First Base position... JASON: Jose, it seems as if the Pirates have ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates find left-handed 1B in John Jaso
The Pittsburgh Pirates had a busy day today as they made several moves, most notably addressing their intended first base platoon by signing left-handed hitting 1B/OF John Jaso to a two-year/$8million contract. Jaso missed most of 2015 due to injury. He is a seven-year veteran having spent parts of his career with the Mariners, Rays and Athletics. For his career, Jaso has a triple-slash line of .263/.361/.406. By far Jaso's biggest tool is the ability to get on base, with an excellent ... Read More
Mat Latos could be a quality Plan B for Pirates
With Mike Leake signing a five-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, the mid-tier starting pitching market is dwindling before the eyes of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Now, it may be time for the club to consider turning back around towards a Plan B of sorts. When the hot stove started heating up a few weeks ago, former Reds starting pitcher Mat Latos was pegged as one of the many "reclamation projects" that interested the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team had a better bead on Latos than most, ... Read More
Can Josh Bell be Pirates answer at first base?
The Pittsburgh Pirates have an abundance of questions at this point in the offseason. One of the biggest questions surrounding the organization revolves around the starting first base position at the major league level. With the departure of Pedro Alvarez, veteran Mike Morse and newly-acquired players Jake Goebbert and Jason Rogers are currently three candidates that could replace "El Toro" in 2016. However, one top prospect, and a possible answer at first base, has yet to arrive in the Steel ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates acquire LHP Kyle Lobstein for cash
Today the Pittsburgh Pirates announced via Twitter that they have acquired LHP Kyle Lobstein from the Detroit Tigers for cash considerations. Lobstein is a 26-year old left handed pitcher who has spent parts of the last two seasons with the Tigers. Lobstein has made 17 starts over that time as well as appeared in three games in a relief capacity. He has posted a 5.33 ERA over that span, with a 1.59 strikeout-to-walk ratio. At first glance, Lobstein's performance thus far can be considered ... Read More
Pirates sign 38-year-old Ryan Vogelsong
Today the Pittsburgh Pirates announced the signing of 38-year-old right handed starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong to a one-year deal. The former Bucco, from 2001-2006, has a career ERA of 4.45, 58 wins and 68 losses, in 165 career starts. Terms to this contract have yet to be confirmed. Last season the pitcher made $4 million starting for the San Francisco Giants. Vogelsong was originally drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the fifth round of the 1998 amateur draft. Debuting at age 23 against ... Read More