With the rush of the Winter Meetings behind them, the Pittsburgh Pirates will now continue to supplement their 2016 roster. Last year, the team saw a relatively quiet Winter Meetings that nevertheless saw them come away with key pieces such as Atntonio Bastardo and Francisco Liriano, who they re-signed. The bulk of their roster work was done after the summit. General manager Neal Huntington identified a market exploit as he looked to Korea for position players, solidified the weakest part ... Read More
Pirates sign P Juan Nicasio
The Pittsburgh Pirates made their first free agent signing of significance of the offseason on Thursday, adding some depth in the bullpen. The Pirates inked a deal with right-hander Juan Nicasio on a one-year deal. As of writing, financial terms were not disclosed. Nicasio, who has pitched for the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers in five MLB seasons, is coming off a pretty solid season in Los Angeles a year ago when he posted a 3.86 ERA in 53 appearances (one start) out of the ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates find much to work with in Jon Niese
The Pittsburgh Pirates have said goodbye to one of Pittsburgh's own in Neil Walker. The second baseman leaves behind an enduring connection to the fan base, as well as 93 career home runs. He gave seven seasons of his prime to his hometown club, but with chances of an extension null and void, the team felt the need to move on. Enter Jonathon Niese. Niese, acquired for Walker in a straight 1-for-1 trade, is a journeyman left-hand starter. In eight MLB Seasons - six as a full-time big ... Read More
Neil Walker traded to Mets for Jon Niese
The Pittsburgh Pirates have been quiet for the first couple days of the annual Winter Meetings. That is until Wednesday rolled around. Pirates’ general manager Neal Huntington made his first major move of the offseason when he shipped second baseman Neil Walker to the New York Mets in exchange for left-handed starting pitcher Jon Niese. The deal is pending a medical review, but all signs point to it being a one-for-one deal. Walker, a former first-round pick and local product was ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates move deliberately on first day of winter meetings
The Pittsburgh Pirates did not make any moves on the first day of the annual MLB Winter Meetings. That is not to say that they did not find themselves at the center of more than a few substantial rumors. Starting with their most glaring need, the Pirates were reportedly in talks with the agent for free agent starting pitcher Scott Kazmir. Kazmir is a left-handed veteran with 11 years of experience despite being only 31 years old. He carries a career 98-90 win-loss record by way of a 3.96 ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates set to bolster bullpen at MLB Winter Meetings
Relief pitchers are always a hot commodity at the annual MLB Winter Meetings. The Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves in the unique position of needing bullpen help while simultaneously carrying a coveted relief trade chip. The "Shark Tank" — the best in baseball in 2015 — suddenly is full of question marks. With incumbent closer and 2015 MLB saves leader Mark Melancon possibly headed to the trading block thanks to a projected $10 million-plus salary, the Pirates figure to be a big player ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates likely to look for starting pitching at Winter Meetings
It's not often that a team finds itself with a hefty 'to-do list' after a 98-win season. But as the 2015 MLB Winter Meetings commence, a mandate to back fill several key positions is exactly what the Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves with. The annual summit of Major League Baseball general managers, player agents and other executives is often a whirlwind of activity. Just one look at a recap from last year's event can be dizzying. Last year, the Pirates did not mimic the overzealous ... Read More
Pittsburgh Pirates part ways with Pedro Alvarez
The Pittsburgh Pirates have chosen not to tender a contract to first baseman Pedro Alvarez. As part of Major League Baseball's non-tender rules in regards to the arbitration process, Alvarez is now a free agent, free to pursue a contract with any club. In what some were characterizing as a game of chicken between the Pirates and potential trade suitors for Alvarez, the club blinked and chose not to go to arbitration with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2008 MLB Entry Draft. Alvarez has been ... Read More
Who are the reclamation projects the Pirates may sign?
The process may as well be a set schedule by now. December-February: The Pittsburgh Pirates acquire a struggling pitcher with some past success. The acquisition gains little attention nationally; fans give mixed reactions. May: After a few appearances, the pitcher is making a positive impact. Fans are cautiously optimistic. Nay a peep from the national media, though. August: The pitcher is having a great season. He has won the support of the fan base; pitching coach Ray Searage gets ... Read More
Pirates named Baseball America’s Organization of the Year
The Pittsburgh Pirates were named as Baseball America’s 2015 Organization of the Year on Monday. Their ability to put together a 98-win season through a strong core and good free agent signings and trades weighed heavily in their favor, as well as their strong minor league system. The Pirates were praised by Baseball America for the way they found value in building their roster better than most franchises did in 2015, such as the signings of A.J. Burnett and Jung Ho Kang, and the trades for ... Read More