Alvarez Goes Deep As Pirates Lose To Blue Jays Again

Photo Credit:  Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

For the third time in five games, the Pirates played the Toronto Blue Jays, and for the third time, they lost. Today, it was by an 8-6 score at McKechnie Field. Tony Sanchez struck out looking on three consecutive pitches to end the game with two runners on base.


The Pirates may have lost this game today to the Blue Jays, which, by the way, is the third time already in this young Grapefruit League season, but I saw what I wanted AND needed to see from the offense. The Bucs hit three homeruns this afternoon, including a 2nd inning blast by Pedro Alvarez. Yes, Pedro Alvarez. He also had a single in the sixth inning before being pulled.

Garrett Jones also had a solo shot, while Starling Marte blasted a two-run bomb in the seventh inning and added a single in the ninth. Marte has been extremely impressive thus far in Spring Training, hitting at a .727 clip, and he’s making a strong case to be up with the Big Club very soon. But without a doubt, the key to the entire Pirates’ offense is Alvarez, who, as we’ve been hearing for years, has the pedigree and talent to be a monster power hitter. It was great to see him have a good day at the plate today.

Clint Barmes and Alex Presley, two other players who will be vital to the Bucs’ offense in terms of putting runners on for the likes of Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker, and Alvarez (hopefully), had a hit each this afternoon.

Jeff Karstens started the game for the Pirates, and looked very strong in his first action of Spring Training. Karstens pitched three innings of scoreless baseball, while giving up just two hits and striking out one batter. He had command of his pitches and threw with confidence, just as he did last year. It was nice to see this from Karstens, who, due to the injury to A.J. Burnett, will absolutely be a part of the starting pitching rotation on Opening Day.

Unfortunately, as solid as Karstens looked today, Brad Lincoln looked every bit as unraveled. He gave up four runs on six hits and walked two batters in only one inning of work. Ouch. We’ve seen this in the past from Lincoln: a solid start followed by a rough outing, then another solid start. Consistency has plagued him, especially at the Major League level, and unless he corrects this, he’ll be on the outside looking at the Pirates’ starting pitching rotation.

Jose Diaz and Jason Grilli looked solid in their lone innings of work, setting the Blue Jays down in order in the fifth and ninth innings respectively, while Jeff Locke limped through two innings of his own, surrendering three runs on five hits. It is going to be a battle amongst relievers this spring for a spot in the Major League bullpen, and performances like this will make a difference to Clint Hurdle & Co. Evan Meek’s rough week continued today, giving up a run and two hits, including a homerun, in the eighth inning. Clearly, Meek’s spot in the bullpen is safe, but it’s still a disappointing start for him thus far.

With every Spring Training game, while it’s exciting and moderately significant to win games, it’s more important to see improvement in players in particular situations. The Pirates’ bullpen was disappointing today (for the most part), but Jeff Karstens was highly impressive, as was Pedro Alvarez on the offensive side. I like what I’ve seen from the offense overall so far. But can’t we beat the Blue Jays at least ONCE this Spring Training?!

The Pirates will face the Philadelphia Phillies tomorrow afternoon at 1:05pm.

Grapefruit Record: 2-3

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Cutch Leads Buccos Past Yankees

by Zane Heiple

Photo by Matt Slocum/AP

After it was announced officially earlier in the day that Andrew McCutchen would be with the Pittsburgh Pirates for at least the next six seasons, Cutch showed why Bucco fans have a lot to finally be thankful for.  McCutchen would go 2-3 on the day with a double and two RBI.  His first hit of the day would come off of New York Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia.

The Pittsburgh offense saw contributions from Clint Barmes, who went 2-3, and Sterling Marte, who had two hits in as many plate appearences.  The big offensive day came from DH Yamaico Navarro, who played for the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals last season.  Navarro went 3-4 with 2 RBI.  Not sure where he could fit on the opening day roster, but he may be a name to keep an eye on.  The downside of the offense came from Rod Barajas and Casey McGehee who both went 0-3.  Nothing to worry about as both players still have a lot of time to be ready for April 5^th.

Kevin Correia made his first start of the spring today pitching two innings allowing no hits, but walking two batters in two innings of work.  Correia would say afterwards, “Everything feels as good as it did at this point last season”.  Chris Resop picked up the win allowing one run on two hits, while striking out two in an inning of work.  Daniel McCutchen didn’t have quite that good of a day as he would give up two runs on two hits while pitching the final inning.

Tomorrow will be the first time this spring that the Pirates face a right-handed starter as they will face the Toronto Blue Jays Kyle Drabek, who happens to the son of former Bucco Doug Drabek.  Jeff Karstens will make his second start for Pittsburgh, as first pitch is scheduled for 1:05 at McKechnie Field.

Grapefruit League Record:  2-2

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Presley, Hague, & Marte Help Pirates Win First Game This Spring

Photo Credit:  Pittsburgh Post Gazette

The Pirates played their first Spring Training game under the lights tonight, and they brought their top game to the plate, beating the Baltimore Orioles, 10-3, at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, FL.  As a team, Pittsburgh had a total of 18 hits, including five players that tallied multiple hits. 

Alex Presley went 3-3 with two runs scored in the leadoff spot, while Matt Hague went 3-4 with a HR and three RBI’s.  Not to be outdone, Starling Marte had three hits himself, while scoring twice.  It was great to see Presley perform well tonight in the leadoff spot, a place where Clint Hurdle would love to have the comfort of placing him for Opening Day next month.  With roster spots up for grabs, and even though it may be rather unlikely they’ll nab an Opening Day roster spot, Hague and Marte are looking strong and confident at the plate thus far.

Pedro Alvarez went 0-3 with two strikeouts and two runners left on base tonight.  He has yet to tally a hit in the pair of Spring Training games he’s played in thus far.  Michael McKenry also had a rough night offensively, going 0-3 while leaving five runners on base.  With the way Rod Barajas has hit the ball thus far in the Spring, and considering the fact he had the edge prior to reporting to Pirate City, it already seems evident that McKenry is primed for a backup spot on the roster.

The Pirates’ pitching team of eight hurlers together gave up a total of three runs on six hits tonight.  Starter Jo-Jo Reyes surrendered a run on three hits in 1.2 innings, while striking out a pair of batters.  Justin Wilson was arguably the most impressive pitcher for Pittsburgh, throwing two scoreless innings, walking a batter but striking out three and not giving up a hit.  Bryan Morris, Michael Crotta, and Tim Wood each pitched a scoreless inning, while Duke Welker had the downside of the night for the staff, giving up two unearned runs.

While a number of the players performing tonight are more than likely going to start the 2012 season in the minors, it was certainly satisfying to see them perform at a high level.  As we all know from what occurred last year, those who play well in Altoona or Indianapolis can earn their way to the Majors and make a difference with the big club.  It’s a long season and injuries and fatigue are a part of the game. 

I know this is only the third Spring Training game, but Pedro Alvarez has already struck out four times in the two games he’s played in this week.  Coming off a dismal season and all the work he’s done in the offseason, it’d be nice to see him hit the ground running.  I’ve predicted a MEGA season from Pedro this year, and I stand by that, and I’m looking forward to seeing him find his comfort zone at the plate in Spring Training and be ready to go by April 5 in Pittsburgh.

The Pirates earned their first victory in Grapefruit League play tonight.  They’ll face the New York Yankees at McKechnie Field tomorrow afternoon.  First pitch is scheduled for 1:05pm.

Grapefruit League Record:  1-2

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Pirates, McCutchen Agree To Multi-Year Deal

By Chad Carlson

Good morning Pittsburgh!


I always stay up late on Sunday nights. Maybe it’s the dread of the upcoming work week, or because I’ve slept in too late the past two days. Whatever the reason, I’m always up too late on Sunday nights. Last night was no exception, and I’m sure glad I was awake for the bombshell news for Pirates’ fans like myself.

News broke late last night that the Pittsburgh Pirates and Andrew McCutchen have agreed to a six year deal worth $51.5 million with a club option for $14.75 million. According to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the contract buys out at least the first two years of free agency and will keep him in a Pirates’ uniform at least through the 2017 season.

This is obviously HUGE news for Pirates’ fans. Our team has FINALLY done something that they have been criticized for NOT doing for years: The Bucs have paid a top-talent the money he deserves.

After signing Jose Tabata to a deal late last season, Bob Nutting, Neal Huntington, and the rest of the Pirates’ management staff earned a little respect from the surrounding community. They were also in negotiations with Neil Walker towards the end of last season and into the offseason. But McCutchen was the key factor here, and has been ever since we saw him perform at an All-Star level in the majors. He is a budding superstar, and the question remained whether or not the Pirates would compensate him as such.

In fact, many, including myself, believed this was a make-or-break deal between the Pirates and their limited fan-base (at this point). Nutting and Huntington have preached and assured fans and media that are committed to winning with the players they have and as long as they perform, they would pay them adequate salaries. But as we all know, actions speak louder than words, and up until last night, they haven’t really backed up their words and promises with any moves. But all that ended last night as the news broke that the Pirates’ best player with the most potential to get even better was signed to a deal, keeping him in Pittsburgh through 2017.

McCutchen deserves a lot of credit as well here. While the Pirates have forked over the money, this was a two-way deal, and a very reasonable one at that, considering his talent, continued upside, and work ethic. Do I sound like a little kid on Christmas morning? Yes I do…I’m a die-hard Buccos’ fan and our best player has just been signed to a multi-year deal.

As more news, recaps and reactions become available, we’ll bring them to you right here. But for now…Believe In The Bucs

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Pirates Fall To Blue Jays Again

by Zane Heiple

Photo by Mike Cassese/Reuters

Game two of the 2012 spring training season went a little better in terms of statistics for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but the Toronto Blue Jays still came out on top with an 8-5 victory.  Even with a 0-2 mark this spring, there is still nothing to get upset about, the wins will come, and spring training is about players improving as they ready for the April 5^th opener.

New Pirate Erik Bedard got his first start of the spring and first in a Pirates jersey today.  His two innings of work showed that he still has a lot of work to do, since he may be the top candidate to start on opening day with injuries to Charlie Morton and A.J. Burnett.  In two innings of work he gave up two runs on one hit with two walks and one strikeout.  Shairon Martis, who is a non-roster invitee and Evan Meek, were roughed up in their outings.  Meek, who is coming off a difficult 2011 season gave up four runs, three earned, in 2/3 of inning.  Martis has not pitched since 2009 with the Washington Nationals allowed 2 runs, none earned, in two innings of work.  Joel Hanrahan, Jason Grilli, and Daniel Moskos were nearly flawless striking out three and walking one in three innings of work. 

With Pittsburgh claiming to be a small ball team, defense will be very important to them.  Three errors in the field today show that they need to knock a little rust of the gloves.  Two of the errors were by players I do not expect to see on the opening day roster, Martis and Sterling Marte.  The third by Chase d’Arnaud shows that this young player has work to do.  His opening day roster spot is up in the air.  It does appear that there is not a starting spot in the infield, so he may be better suited to gain experience in Indianapolis.

The bats looked better today Matt Evans dropped a bomb in the seventh inning, while Nate McClouth hit a double.  With catcher being a huge question mark this offseason, it was great to see Rod Barajas go 2-2 with 2 RBI today.  Downside was Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez each went 0-2. 

Like I stated earlier, spring training games are about improvement, not results.  As the team improves and players are able to get back into game rhythm the wins will come.

Tomorrow the Buccos will be playing under the lights as they head to Sarasota to take on the Baltimore Orioles at 7:05.  Jo-Jo Reyes will start while other non-roster pitcher Mike Crotta and Tim Wood are also scheduled to pitch.  The O’s will counter with lefty Brian Matusz.

Grapefruit League Record:  0-2

And...

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Pirates Fall To Blue Jays In First Spring Training Game Of 2012

Photo Credit:  http://www.rumbunter.com

By Chad Carlson

Well that could’ve gone a little better. 

The Pirates opened up Grapefruit League play today with a 7-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin, Florida.

Brett Lawrie went 2-3 and had 4 RBI’s for Toronto, while seven of their eight pitchers tossed scoreless innings, giving up only a total of two hits to Pirates’ batters.

It was a tough day for the Bucs on both ends, only tallying two hits the entire afternoon.  Both knocks occurred in the same inning, though, resulting in the only run they’d score all day.  With two outs in the fifth, Gorkys Hernandez singled to right center, stole 2^nd base, and scored on Michael McKenry’s RBI single to right field.  Other than three walks, the two singles by Hernandez and McKenry were the virtually the only offense for the Pirates this afternoon.

Two of the new Pirates, Casey McGehee and Clint Barmes, combined to go 0-2, while Nate McLouth walked in the second inning.  Starling Marte had a double in the ninth inning in his only at-bat.

Overall, it was a disappointing performance by the Bucs’ pitching staff.  After a flawless first inning, starter James McDonald gave up two runs on hits and a walk in the second inning, while Chris Leroux and Daniel McCutchen gave up a run each in the fifth and seventh innings respectively.  However, after giving up a solo homerun in the sixth inning, LeRoux did strike out the side. 

Unfortunately, Tony Watson had the roughest day of all, giving up three runs on four hits in the sixth inning. 

Now the bright sides of the game:  Brad Lincoln, Chris Resop, and Ryota Igarashi each pitched an inning of scoreless ball.  With the injury to A.J. Burnett keeping him out at least two months, there is an opening to be filled, possibly by Lincoln?  We’ll see.  We’ve seen in the past that he has the ability to pitch extremely well, but the longevity and consistency of that quality pitching has been the issue.  Though it’s only an inning in one Spring Training game, it was still nice to see Lincoln pitch well today.

Andrew McCutchen, Pedro Alvarez, and Rod Barajas sat out this afternoon, so we’ll have to wait at least another day to see them take their first official at-bats of Spring Training. 

First of all, Pirates' fans, calm down.  It's only one Spring Training game.  Despite the loss today, it’s incredibly exciting to be talking about Pirates’ baseball once again.  As with any Spring Training, this is always optimism from players and fans alike.  Considering the excitement during the first four months of the season last year in Pittsburgh, fans are looking for the team to take the next step and complete a solid season. 

The goal for this Spring Training is progress, in every sense of the word.  While it’s always nice to win games, a Grapefruit League record means absolutely nothing to me.  This is all about the little things right now on individual levels, micro levels.  How does Charlie Morton look in his inning or two of work, and how does Pedro Alvarez look in his pair plate appearances against left-handed pitching?  Keep these in mind as we watch and discuss Pirates’ baseball this Spring Training.

The Pirates and Blue Jays will meet again tomorrow afternoon, this time at McKechnie Field.  First pitch is scheduled for 1:05pm.

Grapefruit League Record:  0-1

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

At Last, Spring Training Is Here

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: http://www.pineapplegrove.com

Well Bucco fans, it’s finally here.  Today was the first official day of Spring Training in Bradenton for the Pirates, and, as always, this time of year brings a fresh sense of hope and optimism for every team in Major League Baseball.  The Pirates, in the final days leading up to arriving in Bradenton, have found themselves in unfamiliar territory…the national media.  With the AJ Burnett deal between the Bucs and the New York Yankees finally getting done, Clint Hurdle and Co. can finally get down to business, preparing the team for the regular season in April.

As Spring Training opens in Bradenton, there are, as always, a ton of questions surrounding the Pirates.  After all, this is a much different-looking team than we saw a year ago.  A number of offseason signings, some met with fan approval and some not so much, have altered the Bucs’ everyday lineups as well as their projected starting pitching rotations, all in the hope of continuing what they started in the first four months of the 2011 season. 

At the top of the news reel this year has been the additions to the starting pitching…first with the signing of Erik Bedard during the MLB Winter Meetings and only days ago, a confirmed trade with the Yankees for AJ Burnett.  So, according to our calculations here at FFTS, that means the Bucs have six pitchers, and only five spots available in the starting rotation.  Clearly, Bedard and Burnett will be in the rotation to begin 2012, barring injuries.  James McDonald seems as a lock as well, leaving Charlie Morton, Jeff Karstens, and Kevin Correia to fill the final two spots. 

Rumors have circled in the days following the Burnett deal that Correia would be the odd-man out here.  Karstens, Morton, and Correia all had terrific 1^st halfs last season, and, as predicted by many, they trailed off significantly in the final couple months.  I have never been impressed with Correia, even during his All-Star caliber first half in 2011.  He was a fly-ball pitcher all season, and it caught up to him as the season went along.  Karstens was by far the biggest surprise of the pitching rotation last year, filling in for the then-injured Ross Ohlendorf and posting the team’s best ERA.  In previous seasons, he performed well out of the bullpen as a long-reliever, so it’s certainly a spot he could return to this year.  And Morton, of course, it’s impossible to tell how he’ll respond to his hip surgery in October.  In fact, this may not even be up for debate if Morton isn’t ready for Opening Day, but all indications are he looks solid as Spring Training has opened. 

As we all know from previous seasons, though, one of the most frustrating aspects of watching Pirates’ baseball in the past has been their inability to score runs.  How many games have we seen the Bucs lose 2-1, or 4-2?  These are games when the starting pitching (and the bullpen) have held up their end of the bargain, but they just can’t get the run support they need to win the game. 

The offense has a few new faces as they open camp this weekend.  Clint Barmes replaced Ronny Cedeno, Rod Barajas replaced the Chris Snyder/Ryan Doumit debacle, while Nate McLouth and Casey McGehee were also acquired for more run-power and platoon work.  Unfortunately, the Bucs didn’t improve their offense nearly as much as they needed to in the offseason.  McGehee and Garrett Jones will battle it out for the starting first baseman job, while McLouth will more than likely be the fourth or fifth outfielder behind the projected starting trio of Andrew McCutchen, Jose Tabata, and Alex Presley. 

There are so many questions to be answered over the next several weeks leading up to Opening Day, but with pitchers and catchers reporting to Pirate City, with many other players following suit in the coming days, we at FFTS are ecstatic to finally say that Pirates’ baseball is right around the corner.

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!