Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball Blog » Pirates Spring Training

Spring Training 09

phieralph — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 02:34:52 +0000

With the Pirates’ Spring Training underway, it begins yet another baseball season and the hopes of a winning season for the Bucco Faithful. However, with virtually the same roster as the team they finished with last year, there is little hope for a different showing. Pirates’ management has expressed that in order for the team to play well, the younger players such as Andy LaRoche, Brandon Moss and the starting rotation need to show they belong.

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…

LF Nyjer Morgan
CF Nate Mclouth
RF Brandon Moss
3B Andy LaRoche
SS Jack Wilson
2B Freddy Sanchez
1B Adam LaRoche
C Ryan Doumit

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.

Pirates stay busy with a lot of roster transactions

GoBucs — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:31:52 +0000

The Pittsburgh Pirates front office and management sure have been busy the past few days has they have made quite a few roster changes. Releasing players, signing players, and buying out contracts, the Pirates have been doing it all in the last 24-48 hours.

Juan Perez and Jaret Wright have been released by the Pirates.

Josh Wilson was designated for assignment while Jorge Valendia was sent to minor league camp.

Pirates purchased the contract of infielder Doug Mientkiewicz from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Byung-Hyun Kim’s contract was bought out for $300,000.

The Pirates and Braves have worked out a trade that will send Todd Redmond to the Braves in exchange for Tyler Yates.

Pirates make some more roster moves at spring training

GoBucs — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:07:44 +0000

The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to make roster changes to their spring training roster and send players down as the big league club gets ready for opening day.

The Pirates optioned Kevin Thompson to Triple-A Indianapoli and reassigned Elmer Dessens and Casey Fossum to the teams minor league camp.

Jonah Bayliss was designated for assignment.

The Pirates also purchased the contract of Luis Rivas from Triple-A Indianapolis.

Pirates send more players down to minor leagues

GoBucs — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:43:08 +0000

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made another round of cuts as they option players down to the minor leagues.

Steve Pearce, Brian Bixler, Ty Taubenheim, and Bryan Bullington were optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker, T.J. Beam, Luis Cruz, Brian Rogers, and Marino Salas were all re-assigned to minor league camp.

Pirates Blog

The Pirates send 13 players to different camps

GoBucs — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:35:21 +0000

On Monday the Pittsburgh Pirates send down 13 different players to various minor league locations and camps as they trimmed down their big league spring training roster.

Romulo Sanchez, Dave Davidson, and Luis Munoz were sent do Triple-A Indianapolis

Jimmy Barthmaier, Ronald Belisario, and Yoslan Herrera to Double-A Altoona

Olivo Astacio was sent to Single-A Lynchburg

Adam Bernero, Jesse Chavez, Daniel Moskos, Miguel Perez, and Jose Macias were all reassigned to minor league camp.

Keep checking back here at PiratesHomePlate as we keep you updating about the Pittsburgh Pirates!