Results tagged ‘ twins ’
Pirates may be interested in Pavano
Update: Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Trib reports: Pirates would be interested in pavano if price/years are right.
John Perrotto of Baseball prospectus reports: Keep hearing rumblings that the Pirates might jump in on Carl Pavano.
Pavano, who pitched for the Twins in 2010, went 17-11 with a 3.75 ERA. Through 222.1 innings pitched he walked 37 and struck out 117. In 12 big league seasons, Pavano is 97-89 with a 4.34 ERA.
Dotel persued by seven teams
According to MLB Trade Rumors, seven teams are interested in veteran right hander Octavio Dotel. The Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Orioles, Twins, Pirates and Yankees have reportably inquired.
Dotel, 37, spent the 2010 season with the Pirates, Dodgers and Rockies while posting a 4.08 ERA. He had 21 saves as the Bucs closer.
Winter Meetings kick off, Pirates have a lot of work ahead
Monday kicks off the first day of the Winter Meetings held at the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort in Orlando, Florida.
The Pirates have several gaps to fill for the 2011 season: a starting pitcher (or two), a first baseman/right fielder, shortstop and bullpen help for Evan Meek and Joel Hanrahan.
The young Bucs can be penciled in for next season: Jose Tabata, Neil Walker, Pedro Alvarez, Andrew McCutchen, and James McDonald.
“We feel it’s important to provide this young group of players weapons that will help them experience success in 2011,” President Frank Coonelly said. “More help is coming quickly through the much improved minor league system, but there are needs that we’re trying to address now to enable us to win in 2011. If we can address these needs without giving up prospects who we believe will be a part of our long-term success and without impeding our ability to lock up the young players who we are developing to long-term agreements, we need to do that.”
“We are targeting players on the market who will address these needs without jeopardizing our longer-term goals,” Coonelly said. “We have the financial resources available to address these needs, and we are looking forward to adding more talent to the improving young talent that has joined the roster over the past two years.”
The Pirates reportably were interested in Jorge De La Rosa (who re-signed with the Rockies) and first baseman Lance Berkman (who signed with the Cardinals). But there are many other players the Bucs could peruse: first baseman Derek Lee and Carlos Pena, right fielders Jeff Francouer, Jack Cust and Matt Diaz, shortstops J.J. Hardy and Jason Bartlett.
Steve Pearce and Lastings Milledge (who was non-tendered) could also be filled from within the organization to play first base/right field.
We are comfortable with Steve Pearce filling a role on the major league club,” General Manager Neal Huntington said. “We continue to be open to Lastings Milledge returning, too, but we are also exploring other potential fits.”
Starting pitching is the most important for the Pirates to fill. Scott Olsen is rumored to be in serious talks with the Pirates. Other options include: Brandon Webb (reports that the talks have gone cold with the cy-young award winner), Justin Duchscherer and Jeff Francis.
Thursday marks the Rule 5 draft and the Pirates have the first pick. Starter Aneury Rodriguez is the favorite, The right-hander went 6-5 with a 3.80 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 113.2 innings in Triple-A (Tampa Bay Ray’s organization).
The 40-man roster currently has four spots open.
Walker named to Rookie All-Star team
Pirates second baseman Neil Walker was named to the Topp’s Major League Rookie All-star Team.
It is the second straight year a Bucs player has been named to the starting roster. (Andrew McCutchen was chosen in 2009)
Walker is the 17th Pirates player to earn a spot on the team since 1959 when Topp’s starting handing out the award.
In 110 games with the Bucs, Walker hit .296 with 12 homers, 29 doubles, 66 RBIs and 57 runs scored.
The complete roster for the Topp’s Major league Rookie All-Star team is: 1B Gaby Sanchez, 3B Danny Valencia, SS Starlin Castro, OF Austin Jackson, OF Mike Stanton, OF Jason Heyward, C Buster Posey, RHP Stephen Strasburg, LHP Jaime Garcia and RP Neftali Perez.
Brandon Webb also on Pirates radar
The Pirates are also reportably after starting pitcher Brandon Webb. The right-hander has spent all seven major league seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He is 87-62 with a 3.27 ERA, averages 7.3 strike outs per nine innings. Webb also averages around 200 innings pitched each season.
Webb missed the entire 2010 season and only logged four innings in 2009 due to right shoulder bursitis and had surgery by Dr. Keith Meister of the Rangers on August 3, 2009.
Webb was drafted in the eighth round of the 2000 draft. He won the Cy Young award in 2006 and is a three-time all star and led the National League in wins in both 2006 and 2008.
Webb is known for his sinker and according to Sports Illustrated: “Webb said he probably uses it at least 80 percent of the time, and it used to be closer to 90 percent”
Webb also throws a change that clocks in the mid-80′s as well as a curve in the low 70′s.
Baseball writer at MLBFanhouse.com’s Ed Price tweeted this: #Pirates GM Huntington said “We’ve got some flexibility and are kicking some tires.” Possible high-upside fit is RHP Brandon Webb.
Baseball writer for ESPN.com and Baseball America’s Jerry Crasnick tweeted this:
Teams with an interest in Brandon Webb: Dodgers, Pirates, Twins and Rangers. And don’t rule out Nationals, Reds & Cardinals
Pirates 2011 Spring Training schedule released
On Monday, the Pirates released their 2011 Spring Training Schedule. The Bucs will play 17 home games at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Florida.
2011 PITTSBURGH PIRATES SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE
February 26 VS Tampa Bay (Port Charlotte) 1:05 p.m.
February 27 VS Tampa Bay (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
February 28 VS Baltimore (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
February 28 VS Tampa Bay (Port Charlotte) 1:05 p.m.
March 1 VS New York (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 2 VS Minnesota (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 3 VS Toronto (Dunedin) 1:05 p.m.
March 4 VS Philadelphia (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 5 VS Philadelphia (Clearwater) 1:05 p.m.
March 6 VS Toronto (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 7 VS Tampa Bay (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 8 VS Minnesota (Fort Myers) 1:05 p.m.
March 9 VS New York (Tampa) 7:05 p.m.
March 10 VS Baltimore (BRADENTON) 7:05 p.m.
March 11 VS Tampa Bay (Port Charlotte) 1:05 p.m.
March 12 VS Philadelphia (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
VS Toronto (Dunedin) 1:05 p.m.
March 13 VS Boston (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 14 VS Baltimore (Sarasota) 1:05 p.m.
March 15 Off Day
March 16 VS Toronto (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 17 VS Baltimore (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 18 VS Philadelphia (Clearwater) 1:05 p.m.
March 19 VS Boston (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 20 VS Houston (Kissimmee) 1:05 p.m.
March 21 VS Minnesota (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 22 Off Day
March 23 VS Houston (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 24 VS Baltimore (Sarasota) 7:05 p.m.
March 25 VS Tampa Bay (Port Charlotte) 1:05 p.m.
March 26 VS New York (Tampa) 1:05 p.m.
March 27 VS Tampa Bay (BRADENTON) 1:05 p.m.
March 28 VS Minnesota (Fort Myers) 1:05 p.m.
March 29 VS Philadelphia (Philadelphia) 7:05 p.m. *
March 30 VS Philadelphia (Philadelphia) 4:05 p.m. *
* exhibition games
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
The August leaders are in…
And for the first time this season i made it in the top 50.
First of all, I wanted to thank everyone who reads my blog. It really means a lot. I enjoy doing this and I hope you guys enjoy reading it.
And secondly, congrats to all the winners. I noticed a lot of the blogs are women which is really awesome.
Here is the list of all the winners.
And lastly, thanks to Mark who runs the mlblogs. My photo was part of the panel showing the winners. (Top left, next to Pirates MLB.com Reporter, Jenifer Langosch)
Kristy Robinson
Recent Comments