For baseball fans and the journalists who cover the game, the trade deadline is one of the biggest days of the season. It's a time to see what might happen to either make a team better for a playoff run, or how a team might build for the future. This was my first deadline working as a sports writer; coffee brewed, computer(s) on, Twitter feed constantly being refreshed — definitely a different feeling from some of the other deadlines I can remember from the past. Throughout you are hearing ... Read More
Pirates stay put at trade deadline
For the second-straight year, the Pirates didn't make any major moves at the trade deadline. Pirates GM Neal Huntington and the front office were in numerous talks with other teams as reports had them asking for the likes of Lester, Price, Lackey, Bonifacio and various bullpen arms. At the end of the day, however, the asking price was too high for them as the Pirates would have needed to let go a package deal that included the likes of Josh Bell, Tyler Glasnow, Jameson Taillon, Alan Hanson , ... Read More
Pirates claim RHP Angel Sanchez from White Sox
The Pirates made their first minor move of the trade deadline in claiming AA RHP Angel Sanchez from the White Sox. Sanchez has played between the Marlins, Rays and White Sox AA affiliates this season posting a combined 2-12 record with a 6.60 ERA while posting a 1.607 WHIP and striking out 54. To make room for Sanchez on the 40-man roster, the Pirates have designated RHP Josh Wall for assignment. Stay with PSN all day as the 4 PM trade deadline nears. Follow @TBerardi_OVA (Photo ... Read More
Cardinals trade for starters
In the Past 24 hours, the Cardinals have traded for two starting pitchers in Justin Masterson and John Lackey while the Pirates look for their first acquisition. Masterson was 4-6 with a 5.51 ERA in 19 starts for the Indians this year while posting a 1.653 WHIP and striking out 93. He hasn't made a start since July 7th due to a sore knee, but will start Saturday against the Brewers. Lackey was 11-7 with a 3.60 ERA in 21 starts for the Red Sox while posting a 1.231 WHIP and striking out ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates trade deadline predictions
As I sit here writing, Pittsburgh Pirates’ general manager Neal Huntington has around eight hours remaining to figure out exactly what he wants to do in order to shape this team for the stretch run. Any trade deadline is a great day for sports fans, but especially baseball’s trade deadline. It’s easy to say just pull the trigger and add a guy like Jon Lester, but put yourself in Huntington’s shoes for a minute. Do you mortgage parts of your future for a guy you are going to only have for ... Read More
Mental errors cost Pirates in 7-5 loss
A major baserunning gaffe and a wide-throw on a wild pitch proved costly as the Pirates fell to the Giants 7-5 on Wednesday afternoon. With the Pirates (57-50) ahead 5-4 with one out in the sixth inning and Travis Snider and Gaby Sanchez on second and third, Chris Stewart walked. Snider didn't realize first base was unoccupied and started walking towards third. The Giants realized what was happening and tagged out Snider for the second out. Sanchez saw the play unfold and tried to get into a ... Read More
Liriano quiets Giants in Pirates 3-1 win
The Pirates have pulled to within one game of the NL Central lead with a 3-1 victory over the Giants on Tuesday night. The Pirates (57-49) scored early for a second night in a row against Tim Hudson as they scored once in the first and twice in the second. Josh Harrison started things off with a lead-off home run to right . They got another big blast in the second from Travis Snider when he followed an Ike Davis single with a home run to right to extend the lead to 3-0. From there, Hudson ... Read More
Trading for Lester is a risky proposition
On the surface, it's hard not to love the idea of adding Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester to the Pirates rotation. After all, we are talking about a pitcher with some impressive credentials. Two World Series titles, including a 3-0 record with a 0.43 ERA in those biggest of games. You can also add three All-Star selections, including a trip to Minneapolis earlier this month after another impressive first-half performance, highlighted by a paltry 2.53 ERA. There's no question Lester has ... Read More
Pirates in on trade talks with Lester
The Pirates have emerged as a "darkhorse" in the race to acquire Red Sox starter Jon Lester. Tim Brown of Yahoo! sports has declared the Pirates a "darkhorse" contender for Lester as reported by Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports. Sources: Pirates emerging as Lester darkhorse. Deal could possibly center around Josh Bell. News with @TBrownYahoo: http://t.co/MC2CBomWpc — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 29, 2014 Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston confirms the Pirates involvement for ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates trade rumors: Byrd back in the Burgh?
More names have surfaced in the past 48 hours as potential trade pieces for the Pirates, who are expected to be buyers by this Thursday's 4 pm trade deadline. Jon Morosi of FOX Sports has reported the Pirates are continuing to look at Phillies reliever Antonio Bastardo, but they may also have their eye on another position player from Philadelphia. Marlon Byrd: Morosi has reported the Pirates are also interested in Byrd, who was acquired by the Pirates after last year's deadline. Pirates ... Read More