The Pittsburgh Pirates added what could be a nice bench piece on Monday and in the process cut ties with one half of their first base platoon the past couple of seasons. The Bucs have acquired infielder Sean Rodriguez from the Tampa Rays in exchange for a player to be named later and cash considerations. In a corresponding move, first baseman Gaby Sanchez has been designated for assignment to clear roster space. The 29-year old Rodriguez was designated for assignment by the Rays last ... Read More
Pirates Top 10 games of 2014
There are many things we should be thankful for this holiday season. For Pirates fans, it was another season above .500 and playoff appearance. The fine folks and I at PSN put together our top 10 games of the 2014 season. 10) Payback against Milwaukee - June 6th The Pirates put 15 runs on the board against the Brewers in the first game against them at PNC Park since the Easter Sunday brawl. Russell Martin went 3-for-3 with a double and four RBI and Andrew McCutchen and Jordy Mercer provided ... Read More
Former Pirates Giles, Schmidt on 2015 HOF ballot
Former Pirates Brian Giles and Jason Schmidt have been named to the 2015 Hall of Fame ballot which is voted on by the BBWAA. Giles was acquired from the Indians in 1998 for Ricardo Rincon and spent 4 1/2 seasons in Pittsburgh before being sent to San Diego for Jason Bay, Oliver Perez and minor leaguer Corey Stewart. While with the Pirates, Giles posted a slash line of .308/.426/.591 and an OPS of 1.018 with 165 HR, 174 doubles, 26 triples and 506 RBI in 715 games played. Giles is most ... Read More
Pirates not done shopping
The Pirates and General Manager Neal Huntington still have some work ahead of them this offseason as they don't appear to be finished in free agency, but it could be some time before any more moves are made. The lack of free agent signings shouldn't come as a shock to anyone due to the fact that the market really hasn't been established yet for pitching. Big names like Max Scherzer and John Lester haven't signed creating a logjam for other pitchers behind them seeking smaller ... Read More
Pirates trade Ike Davis to Oakland
Just a few days after designating first baseman Ike Davis for assignment, the Pittsburgh Pirates made a minor trade on Sunday by sending Davis to the Oakland A’s. In exchange, the Pirates and A’s swapped International bonus slot money. The Pirates acquired bonus slot 27, from Oakland, which is worth $501,900. The Pirates can combine that with its own slot, just above Oakland’s, and spend a little more on the international market. The A’s got international slot No. 86 ($232,000) from ... Read More
Pirates DFA Ike Davis, sign Radhames Liz and more
It has been a busy 24 hours for Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington, who had a bit of roster cleaning to do prior to Thursday's deadline to protect players prior to the Rule 5 Draft. The biggest news of the past 24 hours, although it isn't much of a surprise, came when the Pirates designated first baseman Ike Davis for assignment. Davis struggled with the Pirates after coming over in a mid-season trade with the New York Mets, posting a .235/.343/.378 slash and only 10 home ... Read More
What direction should Pirates go in free agency
Now that we know that Russell Martin will not be in a Pirates uniform next season, it's time to look ahead to what the organization could do in free agency. With the additions of A.J. Burnett ($8.5 million) and Francisco Cervelli ($1.1 million), the team's Major League payroll sits around $75 million — according to arbitration figures by Matt Swartz of MLB Trade Rumors — which is about the same number the team had at the end of last season. These numbers are expected to go up this season, ... Read More
Pirates make 10 minor league signings
The Pirates made 10 minor league signings Tuesday with six getting invites to spring training. One name included is RHP Brad Lincoln, who the Pirates traded to the Blue Jays in 2012 in exchange for Travis Snider. Lincoln went 2-2 in 46 appearances for the Blue Jays with a 4.77 ERA in 60 1/3 innings with 53 strikeouts and 32 walks. He spent 2014 as a starter in the Phillies minor league organization. Minor league signings with invites to spring training: RHP Collin Balester LHP Jeremy ... Read More
Pirates ink Brad Lincoln to minor league deal
The Pittsburgh Pirates once spent the No. 4 overall pick on Brad Lincoln. Tuesday, they brought the right-hander back to Pittsburgh, signing Lincoln to a minor league deal, nearly a decade after using a top pick on the Texas native. Lincoln turned out to be a bust as a starter, but turned into a nice reliever for the Pirates, posting a 2.73 ERA in 59.1 innings pitched during the 2012 season. During that season Lincoln was dealt to the Toronto Blue Jays at the trade deadline in the deal ... Read More
Reports: Blue Jays to sign Russell Martin
According to multiple reports, Russell Martin has agreed to sign a five-year, $82 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports had the report first. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports confirmed the details of the deal. Follow Pittsburgh Sporting News for more details as they ... Read More