Pirates/MLB
Pittsburgh Pirates
Is the Pirates current roster what fans are going to see come spring training?
While the team poked around at various times this off-season on some starting pitchers who are still out there, Mat Latos, Cliff Lee and Justin Masterson among the three, the Pirates budget is nearly maxed out with the Pirates keeping Mark Melancon for now.
“I won’t say that we’re done. We’re never done. We’re always looking for ways, small, medium or large to help the club,” said GM Neal Huntington today when appearing on 937 The Fan.
Huntington, though, admitted any moves between now and spring training will only be small one’s.
“As we sit here now we’d have to get creative to add anybody of substantial salary. There’s still To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
The Pirates starting rotation currently sets up with Gerrit Cole, Francisco Liriano, Jon Niese, Jeff Locke and Ryan Vogelsong. Locke and Vogelsong will be in competition early in the year to stay in the rotation for the inevitable callup of Tyler Glasnow by July.
A dominant spring training for Glasnow is not going to matter regarding his prospects of starting the season with the major league ball club.
“History tells [hide] us that a hundred innings in Double-A and Triple-A combined does not make a pitcher ready for the major leagues,” Huntington said of Huntington. “We saw some things last year, again, that we loved but it is extremely doubtful [Glasnow starting season in Pittsburgh].”[/hide]
MORE BUZZ
— The talk you hear about Francisco Cervelli right now out of the organization is the Pirates are a little skeptical that his performance last season is going to become the norm.To read this insider news, subscribe to get “Inside Access”!
Photo: David Hague
If they seriously had the balls to say this, they should eminent domain the fucking stadium and lease it back to them until they pay what they should have paid to begin with.
Haven’t heard the interview, but if that’s Huntingtons actual quote on “getting creative,” then that’s disheartening. Honestly don’t see any reason this team couldn’t add another $25 million to this years payroll. That gets them to $120 million, roughly a 10% increase over LY. Attendance/concession sales alone should cover that.
Inexcusable if true, but holding out hope it’s a poker game with a FA or some shlt like that. Or if you wanna lock in Gerrit Cole and Polanco for the next 10 years, go for it. Outside of that, again, inexcusable.
Yeah I agree with you there. Not extending Cervelli, I understand. But no reason they can’t add as much as you said.
“it’s easy to spend other people’s money”
Can’t fault the Pirates too much for being hesitant with Cervelli. Last year was his only one not getting injured.
Still need another starter.
go nutting’s wallet