Steelers strongly in Bell’s corner with appeal looming; Brown Contract Buzz
Steelers in Bell’s Corner Facing a four game suspension, the Pittsburgh Steelers have come out in full support of Le’Veon Bell publicly and behind the scenes. For Martavis Bryant who is suspended for the whole season, it’s a different story. Talk in the early going of camp is that Bryant is going to have to repair some relationships in the organization, including strained relationships with key players to be welcomed back in the locker room were Bryant to surprisingly stay clean and be reinstated next season. Some believe Bryant has played his last game as a Steeler. The Bell situation is getting interesting. Bell is either a great salesman in making the Steelers believe he’s stopped smoking pot and him
Trade Analysis: The Pirates return for Mark Melancon better than it looks on paper?
Pirates make right decision in moving Melancon There was so much smoke surrounding a Mark Melancon trade in the past 24 hours that it was inevitable the Pirates were going to trade Melancon than lose him for nothing this off-season as the team had no plans to make a qualifying offer. The Pirates this afternoon struck a deal with the Washington Nationals that sends Melancon and cash to the Nationals with the Pirates receiving reliever Felipe Rivero and pitching prospect Taylor Hearn. From the Pirates end they are going to sell this that they have arms to replace Melancon in Tony Watson and Neftali Feliz and it was important to get something in return for Melancon with him set to
Interest sky high in Melancon
With just over 48 hours to go before the trade deadline, Pirates GM Neal Huntington is showing a strong willingness to trade closer Mark Melancon who is expected to sign elsewhere this off-season as a free agent. The Pirates are serious enough about moving Melancon that they have given four specific teams involved in talks for Melancon a list of prospects [hide]and a major league roster player they would want in a package to trade Melancon. The Washington Nationals have shown significant interest in Melancon since missing out on Chapman. Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported Friday the Indians and Giants are also among multiple teams pursuing Melancon. The Pirates and Mets have also been linked to each other in
Another Season, Another Le’Veon Bell Suspension
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is facing a four game suspension due to a missed drug test, ESPN first reported. A missed test is considered a failed test under the NFL’s drug policy. The speculation has been out there for weeks that Bell failed to show up for a required test in early June and when there’s smoke, there’s often fire. In Bell’s case there is often a lot of smoke. Pittsburgh has been aware of the missed test for several weeks.[hide] The pending four game suspension means Bell has officially violated the NFL’s drug policy four times. It will mark the second straight season that Bell has been suspended to start the season due to drug related incidents.
Steelers Prioritizing new deal for David DeCastro & more buzz
Latest Steelers Buzz The Pittsburgh Steelers report to training camp a week from today and will guard David DeCastro have a new deal in place before camp opens? Things are moving into that direction where a deal is said to be likely struck in the next couple weeks. The Steelers have prioritized a new deal for DeCastro over anyone else, and, though a gap remains, headway between the two sides has been made in the last week, a league source says. [hide] Pittsburgh’s highest paid offensive lineman is Maurkice Pouncey who inked a $5 year, $44,136,626 contract in 2014. DeCastro is scheduled to make $8,070,000 this season as his 5th year option was picked up last year. His new deal
TIOPS Rumor Mill: McCutchen’s Future; Rangers interested in Liriano?
TIOPS Rumor Mill Andrew McCutchen’s steep decline in 2016 has been the talk of baseball. Five Thirty Eight did a stunning piece a few weeks ago on just how bad of a season he is having for a superstar player in his prime and how the numbers say a major turnaround is not likely in the years ahead. The pressing issue for the Pirates’ brass internally is coaches want to get McCutchen the hell out of centerfield (despite what Clint Hurdle might be saying through the media). It’s always been a touchy subject. As long as McCutchen continued to be a great hitter, the Pirates intended to live with him not being the best centerfielder on the roster. At least
TIOPS Rumor Mill: Chris Kunitz Future; Pens on Vesey’s 6-team list?
TIOPS Rumor Mill — Penguins Assistant GM Jason Botterill interviewed with Las Vegas in late June for their General Manager opening. Botterill was always a longshot candidate going into the process and did not emerge as one of the final two finalists. Former Capitals GM George McPhee has been Bill Foley’s No. 1 choice for months and the interview process didn’t change that. — Pittsburgh has made it clear to Matt Cullen’s camp that the team has opted against moving a roster player to clear cap space in the event of making a bigger offer to Cullen. Parameters of Pittsburgh’s current and final offer to Cullen is believed to be in the low $1 million range. When Cullen initially decided
What the Justin Schultz signing means for the Penguins
Pending a decision from Matt Cullen, who’s first choice is to sign with the Minnesota Wild, the Penguins roster for next season is nearly complete following today’s signing of Justin Schultz to a one year, $1.4 million contract. Schultz who made $3.9 million last season, did not receive a qualifying offer from the Penguins making him an unrestricted free agent. A strong market for Schultz did not develop during the free agency frenzy after a potential opportunity with the Florida Panthers fell through as Florida went in another direction, sources say. Prior to free agency, the Penguins gave Schultz’ agent Wade Arnott a ballpark number on what they’d be willing to offer. The Schultz camp shopped around and came to
Penguins Rumors: Matt Cullen waiting on Wild before making final decision
TIOPS Rumor Mill The Matt Cullen situation is not expected to drag on much longer (decision could come Tuesday) and the holdup on where to sign hasn’t been about Cullen waiting for the Penguins to clear cap space, (something they’ve decided against) Inside Pittsburgh Sports has learned. The Penguins on Friday believed Cullen was headed [hide] to Minnesota and so did Cullen, per a source close to the situation, but the Wild informed the Cullen camp late Friday they needed a few days to mull over their cap situation over before moving forward on a possible deal. Cullen’s first choice is to return to Minnesota and end his career in his home state something that’s been made clear to the
Analyzing the Penguins Day 1 Free Agent Additions
Forwards Line 1: Conor Sheary – Sidney Crosby – Patric Hornqvist Line 2: Carl Hagelin – Nick Bonino – Phil Kessel Line 3: Chris Kunitz – Evgeni Malkin – Bryan Rust Line 4: Tom Kuhnhackl – Eric Fehr – Scott Wilson Organization Depth Kevin Porter/Tom Sestito – Oskar Sundqvist – Josh Archibald Dominik Simon – Jake Guentzel – Carter Rowney Teddy Blueger – J.S. Dea – Daniel Sprong (injured) New Additions/or Resignings from July 1: *Tom Sestito, 1 Year – $575,000, 2-way Contract Role/Fit: Pittsburgh’s only forward addition on Friday was the resigning of Tom Sestito. It was an expected move as the organization is a big fan of Sestito who joined the club last training camp on a PTO