One of the best times of the year is approaching again: The MLB trade deadline. As always, the rumors are floating around and the fans are saying who they want their favorite team to get. Some of them are reasonable rumors, but others are as far-fetched as possible. Instead of listing people the Pirates may go after, I want to take a look at a team's approach at the trade deadline. So far, the market has been a seller's market. I mean, did you see the return that the Cubs got for Matt Garza? ... Read More

It's too bad that fans in Miami don't care about baseball. Today's finale between the Pirates and Marlins featured two of the top up-and-coming pitchers in baseball. Gerrit Cole, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 draft by the Pirates, took the hill for his ninth career start. Opposing him is 20-year-old phenom, Jose Fernandez, selected after Cole in the draft, for the Marlins. Both pitchers showed why they are as hyped as they are, but Fernandez made one less mistake than Cole en route to a 3-2 ... Read More

The Pirates catcher went 4-5 in the victory (Flickr.com/Keith Allison) Michael McKenry had a career best four hits in a game that saw Pittsburgh get on base 17 times in a 7-4 win over the Miami Marlins. McKenry, filling in for an injured Russell Martin, went 4-5 and drove in two off singles in the first and third. The fan-favorite catcher doubled in the 5th and singled in the 7th. One day after being blanked, the Pirates put up a three spot before Miami ever came to the plate. They had ... Read More

Starling Marte went 1-4 with a steal but it wasn't enough as the Marlins blanked the Pirates (Flickr.com/Sports Crazy) Got any runs? Go Fish. The Pittsburgh Pirates managed only five hits in a 2-0 shutout loss to the hands of the Miami Marlins. Henderson Alvarez was superb, pitching six innings of two hit ball, striking out five to record his first Major League victory. Jeff Locke, though shaky with his control, held the Marlins in check through five innings. It appeared Miami was ... Read More

Closer expected to miss 4-8 weeks (Flickr.com/Keith Allison) Pirates' closer Jason Grilli will not need surgery but has no definitive timetable for his return, according to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette's Bill Brink. Grilli met with renowned surgeon Dr. James Andrews who concluded the injury is a strained right flexor tendon. Andrews opted against surgery and prescribed rest instead. According to Brink, Grilli will be re-evaluated in 10 days to two weeks. The typical timetable for the injury ... Read More

A day after seeing the Pirates phenom Gerrit Cole take the mound, baseball fans were in for a treat as Stephen Strasburg was scheduled to take the mound for the Washington Nationals. Opposing Strasburg on Wednesday night, was left-handeder Francisco Liriano. The game had all of the hype of a pitchers duel in the making, which admittedly made me nervous. Usually, these games end up being a blowout one way or the other. Not on this night. Liriano continued to show why he has been the best free ... Read More

I'll be the first to admit it. When I found out the Pirates had the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft, I was gung-ho on the Pirates selecting Anthony Rendon from Rice. A year after taking Jameson Taillon and Stetson Allie, I didn't feel they needed to take a pitcher. I watched Gerrit Cole play, but I just though the organization was lacking a bat in the minor leagues. While the latter part stands true, I'm starting to own up to my mistake. On Tuesday night, the two rookies squared off as ... Read More

Pirates' closer sidelined with a forearm strain (Flickr.com) CBS Sports is reporting the Pittsburgh Pirates have placed closer Jason Grilli on the 15 day disabled list with a right forearm strain. Pirates' beat writer Rob Biertempfel first reported the move. Grilli injured the arm in last night's victory over the Washington Nationals, possibly on the pitch that Jayson Werth hit for a two run homer. He attempted to battle through, staying in the game until he was pulled with two outs in the ... Read More

The Pittsburgh Pirates are going to finish with a winning record this year. Let me say that again, The Pittsburgh Pirates are going to finish with a winning record this year.  The playoffs would be great and I think if players like Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez and Starling Marte continue to lead the way with solid pitching, the Pirates could absolutely make the playoffs. However, for the Pittsburgh Pirates to avoid the same fate they have faced the past couple years, the Pirates will need to ... Read More