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
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 sign A.J. Burnett to one-year deal
The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to be active in the free agent market by signing A.J. Burnett to a one-year $8.5 million contract. Burnett went 26-21 with a 3.41 ERA and 389 strikeouts in 61 starts (393 1/3 IP) for the Pirates during his two-year stint with the club between 2012-2013. Burnett opted out of a $12.75 million club option with the Phillies to pitch for a contender. Follow @TBerardi_PSN (Photo Credit: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images) ... Read More
McCutchen finishes third in NL MVP voting
Pirates star center fielder Andrew McCutchen placed third in NL MVP voting behind Giancarlo Stanton and MVP Clayton Kershaw. The MVP is determined by members of the BBWAA. It is the first time since 1968 (Bob Gibson) that a pitcher has won an MVP award. Kershaw received 18/30 first place votes while Stanton received eight and McCutchen received four. McCutchen had another stellar year, despite a trip to the DL due to a rib injury, posting a slash line of .314/.410/.542 and an OPS of ... Read More
Pirates trade Justin Wilson to Yankees for Francisco Cervelli
The Pittsburgh Pirates have made their first major move of the 2014 offseason trading LHP Justin Wilson to the New York Yankees for C Francisco Cervelli as confirmed by the PG's Bill Brink. #Pirates trade LHP Justin Wilson to #Yankees for C Francisco Cervelli, source confirms. @JonHeymanCBS and @Joelsherman1 had first. — Bill Brink (@BrinkPG) November 13, 2014 Cervelli — considered one of the better pitch-framers last season — played in 49 games last season posting a .301/.370/.432 ... Read More
Hurdle finishes second in NL Manager of the Year Award voting
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle finished second behind Nationals manager Matt Williams for the NL Manager of the Year Award as voted on by members of the BBWAA. Hurdle received 8 first place votes which ranked second behind Williams (18). Hurdle led the Pirates to an 88-74 record and a second place finish behind the Cardinals (90-72) and a second consecutive NL Wild Card appearance at PNC Park. Hurdle was able to keep the ship afloat despite many injuries to key players over the course of ... Read More
Pirates trade pitchers with Rockies
The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired right-handed pitcher Rob Scahill from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Shane Carle. The 27-year-old Scahill went 1-0 with a 4.80 ERA (15.0ip/8er) in 12 relief appearances with the Rockies in 2014 and 2-3 with two saves and a 4.32 ERA (58.1ip/28er) in 41 games with Triple-A Colorado Springs. He made eight of his big league appearances with Colorado in September. Originally selected by Colorado in the eighth round of the ... Read More