Results tagged ‘ mets ’
Pirates sign Marte, Nieve and Brown
The Pirates signed Andy Marte, Right-handed pitcher Fernando Nieve and catcher Dusty Brown to minor league deals on Wednesday.
Marte –who’s deal includes an invite to spring training– was ranked by Baseball America as one of the top 15 prospects from 2004-2006. He was traded to the Boston Red Sox in 2005 for Edgar Renteria, then sent to the Cleveland Indians not long after. (Marte was out righted by the Indians in November).
Marte, 27, has not played more than 80 games in the majors in the past six seasons. He has a career .218 average with 20 home runs and 96 RBI. During 2010, the third/first baseman hit .229 with five home runs and 19 RBI in 170 at-bats.
Nieve, 28, will be competing for a spots in the Pirates bullpen. He went 2-4 with a 6.00 ERA through 42.0 innings with the New York Mets in 2010. Nieve was signed by the Houston Astros as an amateur free agent in 1999.
Brown, 28, has spent the majority of the last three seasons catching in Triple-A. During 2010, he batted .218 with 19 doubles and seven homers. Brown threw out 27 percent of base stealers. He was drafted by the Red Sox in the 35th round of the 2000 draft.
Pirates hire Clint Hurdle as new Skipper
After a month and a half of interviews (eight) and waiting, the Pirates finally have a new manager. Former Texas Rangers hitting coach Clint Hurdle will become the next skipper for the Bucs replacing John Russell.
The deal is for three years and the Pirates will formally announce him during a press conference on Monday at 11 AM ET.
Hurdle –most notably known for his time spent in Colorado as the Rockies Manager– has a career record of 534-625. Hurdle has had experience with a young team and the Pirates hope that he can be the guy to lead the Bucs to not only a winning season, but also to a World Series.
According to John Perrotto of the Beaver County Times, he has other reasons to want to move to the Steel City. Hurdle’s eight-year-old Daughter suffers from Prader-Willi syndrome. The Children’s hospital that’s located in Pittsburgh’s neighbor hood of Shadyside is the nation’s best for children with Prader-Willi.
Francoeur in a Pirates uni?
Jeff Francoeur became a free-agent on Wednesday after he cleared waivers and refused an assignment to the minors. The 26-year-old batted .249 with 13 home runs and 65 RBI during the 2010 season with both the Mets and Rangers.
Although there has been no reports as of yet, I think Francoeur would make a good fit in Pittsburgh. The Pirates are in need of an everyday right fielder with some power. He is a great defender, great arm (he leads the majors in outfield assists since his major league debut) as well as a good bat –a career .268 hitter. Francouer made $5 million during the 2010 season.
Francouer has made it known he wants to be an everyday player despite crushing lefties (.300) better than righties (.231) in 2010. The Pirates –if they decided to sit him against right handed pitchers on occasions– could use John Bowker or Garrett Jones who both hit better against righties.
If the Pirates could trade Ryan Doumit (owed $5.1 million for 2011) to free up some payroll I think they should sign him. A huge upgrade over Lastings Milledge, Dewlyn Young, and/or any of the others who played there during the 2010 season.
Hurdle to interview with Mets on Wednesday
Clint Hurdle is scheduled to interview with the New York Mets on Wednesday. The Pirates have yet to name a new manager and it is unknown how long the organization will hold out to get Hurdle –the first choice.
Hurdle interviewed with the Pirates on Thursday and is the front-runner for the job. (Jeff Banister is also in the mix, being the second choice if Hurdle decides to sign with the Mets).
You would think Hurdle could make his decision by the end of the weekend, but that may not be the case.
John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus said this on Tuesday:
@JPerrotto: #Mets may not hire manager under Dec. 1. With Hurdle involved, it mean #Pirates may not have manager announcement anytime soon.
It’s been a very long search for the Pirates. Russell was fired on October 4th and the Pirates interviewed their first potential manager (Eric Wedge) on the 5th. Time will tell just how long they are wiling to wait for the right guy.
Hurdle to interview with Mets
Clint Hurdle may be the front runner for the Pirates managerial position but the Pirates are not his only choice. The New York Post is reporting that Sandy Alderson will be interviewing Hurdle for the Mets open skipper job next week.
Denver Post baseball writer Troy Renck spent the 2002-2009 seasons with Hurdle as he was the manager for the Rockies. He spoke with ESPN on why Hurdle what his strengths as a manager were and what his personality was like.
What are Clint Hurdle’s strengths as a manager? Or what did the players appreciate?
“He’s an unbelievable communicator, a huge personality. You know he’s there from the moment he arrives at the park. It’s impossible to miss in terms of his personality and presence. He’s a great teacher of hitting. And a strength of his is just that positive energy. Certainly when they were a young team, going through a youth movement, how to deal with young players and how to keep the glass half-full, he was very good about that when they were in their rebuilding process.”
When you say personality, any examples?
“Well, he’s as bright as any guy I’ve ever interviewed in a uniform. He was accepted to Harvard. He had a chance to play college football at Miami. It’s understood that he was like the first high school quarterback ever to call his own plays and audible. He’s a bright guy. He ran Rockies fantasy camp for years, and he actually ran the Mets camp for part of that time as well. People would go to that camp just to get ripped by him. He’s like a roast dinner. He’s so funny and biting in that way. Whether it’s one-liners or killing a story, I mean he literally could go on stage right now and make people laugh and cry. He’s an unbelievable public speaker.”
AFL Update (Mesa Solar Sox)
The Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall league has played five games so far this season. Since the prospects are such an important part of the Pirates future, I wanted to post on how some of the Pirates’ players have done thus far.
- Pitcher Brian Leach in two games: 2.0 IP, 2H, 0R, 2K (0.00 ERA)
- Pitcher Aaron Pribanic in one game: 2.1 IP, 2H, 1R, 0ER, 3K (0.00 ERA)
- Pitcher Justin Wilson in one game: 2.0 IP, 2H, 1BB, 3K (0.00 ERA) According to Keith Law, Wilson hit 95 on the gun in the first and several 93 and 94′s.
- Catcher Tony Sanchez in three games: 12 AB, 3R, 4H, 1R, 1BB, 4K (.333 AVG, .385 OBP)
- Third Baseman Josh Harrison in three games: 15 AB, 1R, 2H, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1BB, 5K (.133 AVG)
- Short Stop Jordy Mercer in three games: 14 AB, 2R, 6H, 1 2B, 5 RBI, 2K (.429 AVG, .429 OBP)
- Outfielder Andrew Lambo in five games: 24 AB, 7R, 7H, 1 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI (.292 AVG, .458 SLG)
The Mesa Solar Sox –which also has players from the Angels, Phillies, Cubs, and Mets organizations– are 4-1 and are tied in first in the AFL East with Scottsdale.
Arizona Fall league started on October 12th and runs through November 18th.
Erin Andrews defends sideline reporters
Erin Andrews was interviewed by Fanhouse recently in which she defended sideline reporters and why we are important. I really enjoy watching her because she is good at what she does and she is a positive influence in the industry. Andrews is speaking out on the recent controversies involving females working in sports, “Why can’t you worry about the way you look and also like sports?”
Defend the importance of sideline reporters.
Sideline reporters are needed for a couple of very important things. I don’t think they’re needed for the ‘fluff’ stories, everyone reads those stories all week long in the newspaper. I don’t think they’re needed for that. When they’re needed – a prime example was when Dennis Dixon was leading the (2007) Heisman race, looks like Oregon’s going to win the national championship then he blows out his knee. Oregon said he’s OK. I’m down there watching, I’m reading the trainers’ lips to him. The trainer starts crying. Right there and then I report it. I knew it was over. The guys upstairs in the booth, they didn’t see that; the cameras didn’t see that. The biggest thing sideline reporters bring are things the guys up there and the camera can’t see.
What are your thoughts about those who criticize attractive female reporters?
I think it’s hilarious that you can’t worry about getting your roots done, working out, worrying about what shoes you’re wearing and have cool jewelry and know sports. I think it’s weird you can’t do those things. Why can’t you worry about the way you look and also like sports? We (females) can multi-task, right? I used to harp on this – I want to prove to people that I know more, that I’m not here because of what I look like or that (it’s because) I’m a female.
I think one of the things that taught me a lot about all the work I’ve done and the (working) relationships I have in the industry last year when I was going through the worst experience of my life (the stalking). I got phone calls from coaches – that I thought never really cared too much about me or gave a second thought – coaching me as their players. Saying ‘you better get back on the sidelines, we want to see you on the sidelines. Don’t let this idiot win. The game will not be all right unless you’re working the sidelines’ and that really proved to me … I don’t care what the naysayers say, I don’t care what message boards have to say, I don’t care what some media has to say, these coaches want me back. So I’ve proved to them, I know my stuff.
McCutchen: “I’ll do everything I’ve got to do to get on base”
Andrew McCutchen is back.
After hitting .226 in the month of August, McCutchen’s back to be an on base machine in September. He is batting .330 with a .466 on-base percentage and 21 runs scored in 88 at-bats.
“Honestly, I don’t think I’m doing anything any different right now,” McCutchen said. “You swing, and the ball finds a hole. That’s it. That’s the game of baseball. I’m just trying to finish up these next few games strong and get ready for next year.”
McCutchen currently has a streak of 24 games reaching base safely –the longest such streak from a player this season. He also leads the National League center fielders in on-base percentage.
“Where I hit in the order, that’s what you have to do: Get on base and score,” McCutchen said. “I’ll do everything I’ve got to do to get on base, and I’ve been doing that. I’m happy with it.”
Two great stories that I suggest you guys read:
- Mets Knuckleballer: R.A. Dickey and Wife wait for baseball to finally return the love
- Ex-Bucco and current Twins Closer Matt Capps: Late father remains inspiration for Capps
Pirates can’t seem to pull a W on the road, Fall to the Mets 6-2
It’s been a rough year for Morton, the Bucs, as they are swept by the Mets and drop to 50 games under .500 with the 6-2 loss on a rainy Thursday night in Queens.
Yes, you read that correctly. The Pirates’ record is 48-98. The huge problem is the lack of wins on the road this season.
After finishing 1-6 during this two-city road stop in Cincinnati and New York, the Pirates road record is 15-59. There are only seven more road games left this season and you can only hope things don’t get worse.
Why is it so hard for the Pirates to win on the road this season? That is the question no one can figure out. It’s mind blowing how few games they have been able to win.
What’s Ryan Doumit’s take?
What is done differently at home vs away from PNC Park? (The Bucs are 33-39 at home this season)
The losses are tough on the players, but they continue to go out everyday and play hard.
“It’s tough, but we’re playing hard and that’s all we can keep doing,” Jones said. “We can’t focus on the wins and losses. We’ve just got to keep trying to play hard and try to win.”
Take a deep breath and read through these stats pretty quickly:
Charlie Morton pitched five innings giving up two runs on five hits. Morton struggled with his command and walked four batters while striking out just one.
“I made one bad pitch,” Morton said. “I hung a changeup and it got hit and two runs scored.”
“I feel like if I had been more aggressive, things would have turned out better and I would have been able to go deeper in the game,” Morton said. “I put myself in those bad situations by not being aggressive early and not making guys hit the ball. I would much rather have given up four more hits as opposed to those four walks. You’d like to make guys earn their way on the bases.”
There are some positives from his outing though, his ERA dropped to 8.61 –the lowest it has been all season. He also has been working on a few things with his delivery, which are slowly paying off.
“He wasn’t quite as sharp as his last outing, but it was still progress,” Russell said. “He kept us in the game. He got out of a couple jams. He did what he needed to do to get through it.”
The Bullpen let the Mets run away with the win after allowing four runs through three innings.
Pre-Game Notes: Pirates vs. Mets
Notes:
- Newly acquired Chris Leroux made his Pirates debut during Tuesday night’s loss to the Mets. He needed just four pitches to retire the side.
- The Pirates bullpen has a 2.45 ERA in the last five games (14.2 innings) and have surrendered just one home run during that span.
- Non-Tender Candidate: Zach Duke (MLB Trade Rumors)
Pitching Matchup:
Paul Maholm LHP (7-14, 5.37 ERA)
Vs.
Jenrry Mejia RHP (0-4, 4.91 ERA)
Maholm got a no-decision his last start against the Reds. He pitched seven innings giving up six hits, three runs (all three runs scored in the third inning) walked three and struck out eight. It is the fourth time in Paul’s career that he has made at least 30 starts in a season. Maholm has not faced the Mets this season but is 3-2 with a 4.57 ERA in seven career starts against them.
Mejja lost his second straight start his last trip to the mound against the Phillies He lasted just four innings giving up six runs on nine hits. Mejja has never faced the Pirates before. He is 0-2 with a 4.76 ERA in 15 games, one start at Citi Field. (Nine earned runs through 17 innings)
Pirates Lineup:
McCutchen 8
Tabata 7
Walker 4
Jones 3
Alvarez 5
Bowker 9
Cedeno 6
Snyder 2
Maholm 1
Mets Lineup:
Reyes 6
Pagan 9
Beltran 8
Wright 5
Davis 3
Evans 7
Blanco 2
Tejada 4
Kristy Robinson
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