Ian Snell and Tom Gorzelanny are both players coming off a pretty bad year, but the potential they showed in 2007 is what the Pirates hope to see this year. Paul Maholm is coming off a great season which earned him the “ace” title for the Pirates after securing a 3.71 ERA. Paul Maholm has been named the only player in the Pirates’ rotation with a guranteed spot while the other four spots will be duked out between Zach Duke, Ian Snell, Tom Gorzelanny, Ross Ohlendorf, Jeff Karstens, Daniel Mccutchen, and perhaps Phil Dumatrait when he becomes healthy enough.
The Pirates starting lineup for the 2009 season will likely look like this…
but depending on the players’ Grapefruit League showings, anything is up for grabs.
Spring Training begins with the biggest additions of Eric Hinske, Ramon Vasquez, Craig Monroe, Donald Veal, and Virgil Vasquez. Donald Veal and Virgil Vasquez will both be competing for a place in the bullpen while Monroe, Hinske, and Vasquez will be fighting for positions on the Pirates’ bench.
The Pirates play the Phillies tomorrow which opens up the Grapefruit League Schedule. The games is set to begin at 1:05 P.M. ET and is a home game at Mckechnie Field. Slated to pitch in the game will be Chris Bootcheck for the first inning and followed by Matt Capps, Donald Veal, Romulo Sanchez, Ronald Uviedo, Juan Mateo, Craig Hansen, Evan Meek and Jesse Chavez. Lefty Jamie Moyer will make the start for the Phillies. Pirate broadcaster Tim Neverett will be on the air for the first time as the Bucco announcer.
]]>Pretty decent salary for Maholm as long as he stays injury free and can get over 10 wins for the club.
The team also finalized the contract with Eric Hinske that we blogged about yesterday.
]]>Many were expecting the deal to be announced on Friday but it looks like they got it done a day early pending the physical. I like the signing for the Bucs as Hinske can be a pretty decent hitter from the left side.
]]>We will have an update when the Pirates hopefully sign the other guys that filed for salary arbitration.
]]>The deal is calling for three years and an option on a fourth year. Terms were not disclosed but it is expected to be around $20 million for the four years.
Doumit, hit .318/.357/.501 in 465 plate appearances in 2008. His .858 OPS ranks him alongside catchers such as Joe Mauer and Geovany Soto.
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]]>T.J. Beam allowed a rbi single in the top of the 13th to James Loney which proved to be the game winning hit for the Dodgers. Craig Hansen ended up with loss as he was responsible for the winning run that was on base. Paul Maholm was the starting pitcher and he only gave up three hits but did allow three runs to score in seven innings of action. It was an up and down game for Maholm as he shouldn’t have allowed three runs to score on only three hits.
Nate McLouth had the first rbi for the Pirates when he hit a rbi sac fly that scored Nyjer Morgan in the first inning. Andy LaRoche then added a rbi single in the sixth inning which was followed by a rbi single in the seventh inning from Luis Cruz.
It was a tough loss for the Pirates but they don’t have much time to think about it as the Houston Astros will be in down for a weekend series starting Friday night.
]]>Russ Ohlendorf took the loss and is now 0-2 since joining the Pirates. He only lasted three innings as he gave up five hits and three runs. Marino Salas pitched three innings after Ohlendorf exited but he gave up four hits and three runs. Romulo Sanchez also sucked it up as he gave up three hits and two runs in two innings of action. The bullpen sucked it up that is for sure, but the offense was just about as bad.
The only runs that Pirates scored came in the bottom of the ninth inning on a Adam LaRoche two-run home run. Yep those were the only two runs for the Pirates.
Let’s just get this season over with already. Pirates Blog
]]>Tom Gorzelanny got the start for the Pirates but he didn’t last too long as he injured his middle finger. He had given up two hits and two home runs before the injury. Denny Bautista was absolutely terrible as he gave up three hits and five runs. Four of those five runs came via a grand slam off the bat of Miguel Tejada.
Adam LaRoche finished the game with two rbi on a solo home run and a rbi double. Nate McLouth and Nyjer Morgan both added a rbi each for the Pirats as well, they just couldn’t keep up with the Astros and that grand slam by Tejada was the difference in the game.
]]>The Pirates were out hit in the game 8-6 by the Astros. The Pirates just couldn’t come up with the big hit late in the game to tie it up or take the lead. Adam LaRoche and Brandon Moss both had rbi singles in the sixth inning for both of the Pirates runs.
Ian Snell took the loss as he gave up all three runs in six innings of action. Snell didn’t throw the ball too badly as he gave up a solo home run and two rbi singles in the fifth inning. Just one bad inning but it was enough to beat the Pirates.
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