Pirates/MLB category, Page 42
Tim Benz: Hey, new Pirates, it’s not your fault
I feel like I’m channeling Robin Williams from “Good Will Hunting” on this one. But with Pittsburgh Pirates players reporting to spring training this week, I think it needs to be said. Hey, Adam Frazier. It’s not your fault. There are going to be times this year when you think...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Health of Ke’Bryan Hayes tops Pirates’ spring training storylines
Ke’Bryan Hayes knows his best ability for the Pittsburgh Pirates is his availability, and lingering injuries have been the biggest liability of his major-league career. When healthy, Hayes is an elite defender at third base with an NL Gold Glove on his resume. He was a 4.0 WAR player voted...
With a superstar in pitcher Paul Skenes, the Pirates start spring training ‘ready to win’
While the start of spring training represents a season of endless possibilities, the Pittsburgh Pirates begins theirs on Wednesday with an air of certainty because of one player: Paul Skenes. The Pirates know they have a superstar in Skenes, the 6-foot-6 All-Star right-handed pitcher who blew away batters with his...
Dave Parker’s Hall of Fame plaque will depict the 1978 NL MVP wearing a Pirates cap
When Dave Parker is enshrined in Cooperstown this summer, his plaque will have him wearing a Pittsburgh Pirates cap, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum announced Monday. Parker, a seven-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner, two-time batting champion and 1978 National League MVP, will have his plaque revealed...
Analysis: With Ben Cherington, Derek Shelton on hot seat, Pirates must find ways to win
In a pitch to pacify a frustrated fan base, Pittsburgh Pirates president Travis Williams acknowledged their passion was evident “because we’re not winning and have expectations of winning” before assuring everyone about the club’s commitment to want to win. To prove how close the Pirates are to winning, Williams pointed...
‘Speak up’: Pirates stars Andrew McCutchen, Bryan Reynolds vow to be more vocal leaders
They were traded for one another in one of the most controversial moves in recent Pittsburgh Pirates history, a deal that sent franchise icon Andrew McCutchen to San Francisco for an unproven Bryan Reynolds. The two have tiptoed around that topic the past two seasons, even as they formed the...
Pirates by Position: Paul Skenes brings star power to a deep, young starting rotation
After setting a Pittsburgh Pirates rookie record for strikeouts and posting the lowest ERA by a rookie since the Dead Ball Era, Paul Skenes is taking a three-step approach to spring training. “Volume. Facing hitters again. Punching dudes out,” Skenes said last month at PiratesFest. The 6-foot-6 right-hander went 11-3...
Pirates by Position: Bounce-back year by closer David Bednar could be key to bullpen success
Ben Cherington will be the first to admit the Pittsburgh Pirates expected their bullpen to be dominant last season, and their general manager is the first to acknowledge its shortcomings. Adding seven-time All-Star Aroldis Chapman to a back end that featured two-time All-Star closer David Bednar was supposed to deliver...
Pirates to sign veteran OF Tommy Pham to 1-year, $4.025M contract
The Pittsburgh Pirates addressed a glaring need but did so by adding a 36-year-old outfielder who has played for nine teams in 11 seasons, including five trips to the postseason. A source confirmed to TribLive that the Pirates agreed to terms with Tommy Pham on a one-year, $4.025 million contract...
U mad, bro?: Readers sound off on Kenny Pickett’s comments, George Pickens trade talk and the live Eagles mascotVideo
In certain ways, this week’s “U mad, bro?” is very conventional. It features some consternation about Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback miscues, George Pickens, and the state of the Pirates. I mean, that’s “U mad, bro?” meat and potatoes right there. On the other hand, we have a hockey reference from 1993,...
Pirates by Position: Competition for corner outfield alongside Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds
Now that the Pittsburgh Pirates completed a seismic shift by moving Oneil Cruz from shortstop to center field — a switch to which they appear committed — they are attempting to address another gaping hole. With Cruz and two-time All-Star Bryan Reynolds, two-thirds of their outfield appears set. But after...
Pirates announce hirings, promotions of directors in baseball operations reorganization
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington formally announced Wednesday the hiring of several baseball operations directors and staff promotions as part of a promised reorganization of the front office. Mike Voltmer joins the Pirates as the new vice president of pro evaluation and strategy after eight years with the reigning...
Pirates by Position: Isiah Kiner-Falefa takes over at SS, Nick Gonzales settles in at 2B
When the Pittsburgh Pirates moved Oneil Cruz to center field late last August, it solved a problem at one position but appeared to create another: With Cruz in the outfield, who would play shortstop? The immediate answer was Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who started 17 of the next 20 games at shortstop...
Pirates by Position: Counting on 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes’ health, 1B Spencer Horwitz’s hitting
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a trio of Gold Glove winners and a player billed as the “significant acquisition” of the offseason, yet their corner infield spots might be the biggest question marks in the lineup. Defensively, the Pirates are in good hands at third base, whether Ke’Bryan Hayes or Jared...
Pirates sign lefty reliever Tim Mayza, designate middle infielder Alika Williams for assignment
To add left-handed reliever Tim Mayza to their 40-man roster Monday, the Pittsburgh Pirates cleared room in the middle of their infield by designating Alika Williams for assignment. Williams, 25, started 44 games at shortstop and 15 at second base for the Pirates over the past two seasons since being...
Pirates by Position: Joey Bart ready to live up to billing, as catcher becomes position of depth
In the span of one year for the Pittsburgh Pirates, catcher has gone from a precarious position to one with enough depth that there promises to be plenty of competition in spring training. But the Pirates were clear that the catcher who wasn’t on their Opening Day roster last season...
Pirates announce new managers at Triple-A, Double-A, reveal minor-league staff
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced 2025 staff assignments for their full-season minor-league affiliates, Florida Complex League and Dominican Summer League clubs Friday morning. Taking over as manager of the Indianapolis Indians is Chris Truby, who will oversee the Triple-A club after serving as bench coach under Miguel Perez in 2024. Perez...
Tim Benz: Let’s take the Pirates’ fan satisfaction survey together — I’m sure it’ll go well
The Pittsburgh Pirates have distributed a survey to fans in hopes of evaluating their level of satisfaction with the franchise. These are the real questions with the actual multiple-choice options for responses. Let’s take the survey together, shall we? 1. Overall, what is your impression of the Pittsburgh Pirates? A)...
Pirates win arbitration hearing with righty Johan Oviedo
Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher Johan Oviedo will make $850,000 in 2025 as a result of the first salary arbitration hearing of the year. Oviedo, who sought a raise from $765,000 to $1.15 million, had his case heard Tuesday. Arbitrators ruled Wednesday in favor of the Pirates, who counter-offered at $850,000....
Paul Skenes drops by ‘Late Night with Seth Meyers’ to talk baseball cards, facial hair and staying composed
A familiar face — to Pittsburghers — dropped by Seth Meyers’ talk show last night: Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes. The reigning NL Rookie of the Year made an appearance on Tuesday night’s edition of “Late Night with Seth Meyers.” Meyers, whose father grew up in East Liberty and is big...
On Sports: Mike Tomlin scouts Senior Bowl; Penguins plummet in Eastern Conference standings
In this edition of On Sports, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is making the rounds at the annual Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., a popular destination for NFL coaches to get a firsthand look at upcoming draft talent. Unavoidably, the list of players Tomlin is perceived to be interested...
Pirates, Jovan Oviedo go to 1st salary arbitration hearing of year
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Jovan Oviedo and the Pittsburgh Pirates argued the first salary arbitration case of the year Tuesday. A right-hander who turns 27 on March 2 and had Tommy John surgery that forced him to miss all of last season, Oviedo asked for a raise from $765,000 to...
MLB The Show 25 cover features Paul Skenes, Gunnar Henderson and Elly De La Cruz
MLB The Show 25 announced Tuesday that rising stars Paul Skenes, Gunnar Henderson and Elly De La Cruz will be the cover athletes on its upcoming video game. It’s the first time MLB The Show has featured three athletes on the same cover. The game is scheduled to hit the...
Adam Frazier, an All-Star for Pirates in 2021, rejoins club on 1-year deal
A familiar face is returning to the Pittsburgh Pirates on a one-year major-league deal: Adam Frazier. Frazier, 33, agreed to a deal with the Pirates for 2025 worth $1.525 million, a source confirmed to TribLive on Tuesday. Frazier was a sixth-round draft pick (No. 179 overall) by the Pirates in...
Pirates sign veteran lefty reliever Tim Mayza to major-league deal
The Pittsburgh Pirates added a left-handed arm to their bullpen Monday night, signing 33-year-old Tim Mayza to a major-league deal pending a physical, a source confirmed to TribLive. Mayza, a veteran of 367 MLB games, went 0-2 with a 6.33 ERA last year, splitting time with the Toronto Blue Jays...
