Pittsburgh Pirate 2012 Forum

[crazypghfan]

Ok Bucco fans, hope you all had a good off season. Spring training is starting up and before you know it the opener will be on the horizon. So bring on all your comments, viewpoints, suggestion, complaints(hopefully not many), and anything else you can think of to this forum Feel free to invite all the Bucco fans you know to join the forum. The more the merrier. I am approaching this season like the past 19...with hope. We'll see what happens. Let's see how many times i can say.."raise the jolly roger"!!! LETS GO BUCS!!!!!!

[ratpenat]

Crazy, great to see the forum started up again. Spring is aupon us, and soon games will be played in cathedrals on pristine green fields, and we will watch our heroes rise and fall in their attempt to clinch a playoff birth. In teh case of we buccos fans, well I think we want to put and end to teh 19 years of darkness. Although we had a strong first half last year, a contorversial play in Atlanta, and fatigue by our pitching pretty much sapped us of a strong second half.

I am not a fan of our management team, as it is well known here, BUT I do liek teh acquisitions of Barmes, Barajas, McGahee, and Burnett (hope is eye is ok). They are solid proven players, and Burnett will thrive in non pressure situations here. As for our nucleus, My 2 question marks are Pedro and Tabata...... Pedro, I am not sold on, I question his effort, heart and passion, this season he must produce or he will be what I thought he is, a BUST. On teh other hand, Tabata, if we can get an injury free season from him, we will be fine, and that leads to more runs. I guess we can also say that 1st is a mystery, lets see if garrett jones can regroup, he is solid, i just think he needs more swings.

I will give more thoughts as teh spring plays out, and of course I will greatly contribute to teh historical portion of his forum with profiles on former players and historical moments. For example, the 2012 season marks the 40th anniversary of Clemente´s 3,000th hit and his untimely passing. Rest assured a profile on teh great one is in teh works honoring his special milestone.

Ok, just wanted to drop by, looking forward to games at "The House of Thrills", and a bloop and blast winning games along with our pitchers throwing radio balls......... yes, Gunnerisms are back!!!!!!!

BEAT EM BUCS!!!!!!!!

[crazypghfan]

Crazy, great to see the forum started up again. Spring is aupon us, and soon games will be played in cathedrals on pristine green fields, and we will watch our heroes rise and fall in their attempt to clinch a playoff birth. In teh case of we buccos fans, well I think we want to put and end to teh 19 years of darkness. Although we had a strong first half last year, a contorversial play in Atlanta, and fatigue by our pitching pretty much sapped us of a strong second half.

I am not a fan of our management team, as it is well known here, BUT I do liek teh acquisitions of Barmes, Barajas, McGahee, and Burnett (hope is eye is ok). They are solid proven players, and Burnett will thrive in non pressure situations here. As for our nucleus, My 2 question marks are Pedro and Tabata...... Pedro, I am not sold on, I question his effort, heart and passion, this season he must produce or he will be what I thought he is, a BUST. On teh other hand, Tabata, if we can get an injury free season from him, we will be fine, and that leads to more runs. I guess we can also say that 1st is a mystery, lets see if garrett jones can regroup, he is solid, i just think he needs more swings.

I will give more thoughts as teh spring plays out, and of course I will greatly contribute to teh historical portion of his forum with profiles on former players and historical moments. For example, the 2012 season marks the 40th anniversary of Clemente´s 3,000th hit and his untimely passing. Rest assured a profile on teh great one is in teh works honoring his special milestone.

Ok, just wanted to drop by, looking forward to games at "The House of Thrills", and a bloop and blast winning games along with our pitchers throwing radio balls......... yes, Gunnerisms are back!!!!!!!

BEAT EM BUCS!!!!!!!!

Great opening post Rat. I expected nothing less. Looking forward to everyone's input, and alot of jollly roger raising!

[ratpenat]

DAMN IT!!!! WE CANT BY LOVE IN A WHOREHOUSE!!!!!!!!! NOTHING LIEK GETTING OFF ON TEH WRONG FOOT!!!!

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_yl...irates-burnett

[mzxeternal]

DAMN IT!!!! WE CANT BY LOVE IN A WHOREHOUSE!!!!!!!!! NOTHING LIEK GETTING OFF ON TEH WRONG FOOT!!!!

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_yl...irates-burnett

Damn, he's not even on your team a week and he's found a new way to be a headache. Damn, wasn't expecting that. I actually expected him to almost be a top-tier pitcher in the less intense NL central and away from the incessant NY media.

That's AJ, when he's on he's great... but he always comes with a side of heartburn.

[crazypghfan]

Ok Bucco fans. Today is the day spring training opens up with a game in Dunedin Fl against the Blue Jays.As i type this it is mostly sunny, breezy and high's are to climb in the upper 80's..a beautiful day for baseball. I was supposed to attend this game with a group which included Clearwaterburgh, but the plans changed to the game on April 1st at the same venue. I will probably seek a radio feed from one of those abstract Pirate radio affliliates if one is avialiable GO BUCS!!!

[ft420]

Ok Bucco fans. Today is the day spring training opens up with a game in Dunedin Fl against the Blue Jays.As i type this it is mostly sunny, breezy and high's are to climb in the upper 80's..a beautiful day for baseball. I was supposed to attend this game with a group which included Clearwaterburgh, but the plans changed to the game on April 1st at the same venue. I will probably seek a radio feed from one of those abstract Pirate radio affliliates if one is avialiable GO BUCS!!!

If you do find a radio link... let me know by reporting the first post of that day's streaming thread. We don't necessarily want everyone to know and I might be able to find a way to stream it so it won't get shut down. Good luck and thanks!

[crazypghfan]

If you do find a radio link... let me know by reporting the first post of that day's streaming thread. We don't necessarily want everyone to know and I might be able to find a way to stream it so it won't get shut down. Good luck and thanks!

I found a couple today FT, but they were a tease. They started with the pregame , then screwed me with different programming at game time. But if i run across one that works i will definitely let you know. And your right we don't need to broadcast it to the world. I had a audio subscription last year through MLB.com for $20. I am thinking about doing that again. If i do i will let you know. Thanks FT!!!

[mzxeternal]

I found a couple today FT, but they were a tease. They started with the pregame , then screwed me with different programming at game time. But if i run across one that works i will definitely let you know. And your right we don't need to broadcast it to the world. I had a audio subscription last year through MLB.com for $20. I am thinking about doing that again. If i do i will let you know. Thanks FT!!!

Alternatively, instead of spending $20 on the MLB.com package, i'd recommend the MLB AT Bat (not the lite version) app for Android or iPhone. It includes all the radio feeds for every team, portability and it costs $5 less. When i'm home I just connect my phone to the line-in on my computer via a miniplug cable. Great app, and worth the $15.

[ratpenat]

Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen has agreed to a six-year, $51.5 million contract, baseball sources confirmed to ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

In agreeing with Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates are hoping they've set the foundation for a brighter future. Now the focus turns to whether the Royals can build around Eric Hosmer, writes ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. Blog

The deal, initially reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, also includes a team option for 2018 worth $14.75 million, sources told Olney.

A formal announcement is expected on Tuesday.

With the contract, the Pirates will buy out McCutchen's remaining seasons of arbitration eligibility and at least two years of free agency. He would have been eligible for arbitration following the 2012 season.

General manager Neal Huntington declined comment to The Associated Press and McCutchen did not play in Monday's spring training game against the Orioles. Steve Hammond, McCutchen's agent, credited both sides for making sure McCutchen will continue to be the cornerstone of Pittsburgh's rebuilding process.

"We were working hard at this," Hammond told The Associates Press. "It was something Pittsburgh wanted and Andrew wanted. We found common ground."

McCutchen, a National League All-Star last season, is one of the Pirates' best young players. He hit .259 with 23 home runs and 89 RBIs last season and made hsi first All-Star Game. Floating between leadoff and third in the lineup, McCutchen helped keep the Pirates in contention in the NL Central until late July.

He joins left fielder Jose Tabata among Pirates committed to long-term deals. Tabata signed a six-year, $15 million contract with the team in August.

Though Pittsburgh signed Tabata to a long-term deal, McCutchen and the Pirates appeared to be far apart on what a new contract would look like. Hammond said McCutchen wanted to wait until he played at least two full seasons before getting serious about an extension.

"There was some risk in that," Hammond said. "We were willing to take that on and we did."

McCutchen's speed has made him one of baseball's best defensive centerfielders and his charismatic smile and trademark dreadlocks have made him one of Pittsburgh's most popular players.

The Pirates selected McCutchen in the first round of the 2005 draft. He made his major league debut in 2009 and has a career .276

OK, I AM ON TEH FENCE ABOUT THIS. I LIKE TEH EXTENSION BUT AS WE ALL KNOW, NOTHING IS PERMANENT IN PITTSBURGH WITH TEH BUCCOS......... ITS TIME FOR NEAL TEH REAL DEAL AND FECKNUTT TO PUT UP TEH MONEY AND SHUT UP... 5 YEAR PLAN MUST SHOW RESULTS NOW.... NO EXCUSES. I THINK CUTCH DESERVES TEH MONEY BUT ATTEH SAME TIME IF WE DO NOT IMROVE THAT IS LIKE SOMEONE MAKING YOU THEIR BITCH IN A FEDERAL PRISON

[crazypghfan]

Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen has agreed to a six-year, $51.5 million contract, baseball sources confirmed to ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

In agreeing with Andrew McCutchen, the Pirates are hoping they've set the foundation for a brighter future. Now the focus turns to whether the Royals can build around Eric Hosmer, writes ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. Blog

The deal, initially reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, also includes a team option for 2018 worth $14.75 million, sources told Olney.

A formal announcement is expected on Tuesday.

With the contract, the Pirates will buy out McCutchen's remaining seasons of arbitration eligibility and at least two years of free agency. He would have been eligible for arbitration following the 2012 season.

General manager Neal Huntington declined comment to The Associated Press and McCutchen did not play in Monday's spring training game against the Orioles. Steve Hammond, McCutchen's agent, credited both sides for making sure McCutchen will continue to be the cornerstone of Pittsburgh's rebuilding process.

"We were working hard at this," Hammond told The Associates Press. "It was something Pittsburgh wanted and Andrew wanted. We found common ground."

McCutchen, a National League All-Star last season, is one of the Pirates' best young players. He hit .259 with 23 home runs and 89 RBIs last season and made hsi first All-Star Game. Floating between leadoff and third in the lineup, McCutchen helped keep the Pirates in contention in the NL Central until late July.

He joins left fielder Jose Tabata among Pirates committed to long-term deals. Tabata signed a six-year, $15 million contract with the team in August.

Though Pittsburgh signed Tabata to a long-term deal, McCutchen and the Pirates appeared to be far apart on what a new contract would look like. Hammond said McCutchen wanted to wait until he played at least two full seasons before getting serious about an extension.

"There was some risk in that," Hammond said. "We were willing to take that on and we did."

McCutchen's speed has made him one of baseball's best defensive centerfielders and his charismatic smile and trademark dreadlocks have made him one of Pittsburgh's most popular players.

The Pirates selected McCutchen in the first round of the 2005 draft. He made his major league debut in 2009 and has a career .276

OK, I AM ON TEH FENCE ABOUT THIS. I LIKE TEH EXTENSION BUT AS WE ALL KNOW, NOTHING IS PERMANENT IN PITTSBURGH WITH TEH BUCCOS......... ITS TIME FOR NEAL TEH REAL DEAL AND FECKNUTT TO PUT UP TEH MONEY AND SHUT UP... 5 YEAR PLAN MUST SHOW RESULTS NOW.... NO EXCUSES. I THINK CUTCH DESERVES TEH MONEY BUT ATTEH SAME TIME IF WE DO NOT IMROVE THAT IS LIKE SOMEONE MAKING YOU THEIR BITCH IN A FEDERAL PRISON

We basically had to sign him rat. He is our best athlete. Hopefully his play will be contagious...we'll see!

[crazypghfan]

Alternatively, instead of spending $20 on the MLB.com package, i'd recommend the MLB AT Bat (not the lite version) app for Android or iPhone. It includes all the radio feeds for every team, portability and it costs $5 less. When i'm home I just connect my phone to the line-in on my computer via a miniplug cable. Great app, and worth the $15.

That's a very good idea. But the problem for me is that i still own a pre-historic phone. Someday when i upgrade maybe i will look into that. So for now if i make a move it will be the Mlb.com deal...if i chose to!

[crazypghfan]

Alternatively, instead of spending $20 on the MLB.com package, i'd recommend the MLB AT Bat (not the lite version) app for Android or iPhone. It includes all the radio feeds for every team, portability and it costs $5 less. When i'm home I just connect my phone to the line-in on my computer via a miniplug cable. Great app, and worth the $15.

That's a good idea. But my problem is that i still own a pre-historic phone. If someday i update my phone, i will look into that. Till then the mlb.com deal would be my only option if i chose to.

[MechanicalMan]

I continue to be a little surprised at the number of players who are willing to sign these extensions that include their first year(s) of free agent eligibility. I guess the dollars look pretty fair for McCutchen, but I'm sure that most of these players would make more money if they refused to do this and waited to negotiate a long-term deal in their first year of free agency. And honestly, I am especially surprised that a player is willing to do this for a team that hasn't had a winning season in the past 19 years and hasn't been committing to players long-term. Hopefully the Pirates will reward his allegiance by not trading him, but the money in the final years of this contract is obviously more than they are accustomed to paying players.

[Clearwaterburgh]

First chance to check in this season. While I can't deny I have also become a Rays fan while living here in Rays country, I still can't shake my childhood allegiance to the Buccos....nor should I! (As a kid, I would see how much gum I could shove into my mouth, so I could say I looked like Bill Mazeroski.) It has been really hard to be a Pirate fan the last few....well maybe more than a few...years, but hey, anybody can be a Yankee fan. I think the division is a little down this season...time for a surprise in black and gold???

[ratpenat]

Ron and I usually dont see eye to eye, but thsi is well written..... I was having teh same thoughts and addresses why I was on teh fence...... I hope thsi works out.... I just have this sick feeling that Pedro is NOT going to work out

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12066/1214737-87.stm

[ratpenat]

I agree teh Bedard signing was the one I least liked thsi season, he is liek a jeff Clement... a gimp..... BUT he is right Pedro has to come through...

http://www.pittsburghsportsreport.com/PSR/node/4146

[MechanicalMan]

Ron and I usually dont see eye to eye, but thsi is well written..... I was having teh same thoughts and addresses why I was on teh fence...... I hope thsi works out.... I just have this sick feeling that Pedro is NOT going to work out

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12066/1214737-87.stm

But that article makes it sound like it is a certainty that McCutchen will be with the Pirates at least through 2017.

This extension obviously makes it much less likely that McCutchen will be traded before the end of the 2015 season. But it doesn't guarantee that he will still be in a Pirates uniform at the end of the 2017 season. They can still trade him at any time, and it's certainly possible that he'll become a coveted player over the next few years. I won't be 100% convinced that the Pirates are going to pay him $14+ million until I've seen it happen. They had a ~$46 million payroll last year and have never spent more than ~$57.8 million (and that was in the first year at PNC). If they are serious about keeping McCutchen (and winning), then they need to start increasing payroll. Charismatic or not, it doesn't make sense to spend 30% of team payroll on one player (with a career .820 OPS). I don't know how accurate this is, but I found a projected 2012 payroll of about $52 million. If that is right, and if they plan to reach $60 million or more by 2017, then I guess McCutchen's salary would fit.

[ratpenat]

But that article makes it sound like it is a certainty that McCutchen will be with the Pirates at least through 2017.

This extension obviously makes it much less likely that McCutchen will be traded before the end of the 2015 season. But it doesn't guarantee that he will still be in a Pirates uniform at the end of the 2017 season. They can still trade him at any time, and it's certainly possible that he'll become a coveted player over the next few years. I won't be 100% convinced that the Pirates are going to pay him $14+ million until I've seen it happen. They had a ~$46 million payroll last year and have never spent more than ~$57.8 million (and that was in the first year at PNC). If they are serious about keeping McCutchen (and winning), then they need to start increasing payroll. Charismatic or not, it doesn't make sense to spend 30% of team payroll on one player (with a career .820 OPS). I don't know how accurate this is, but I found a projected 2012 payroll of about $52 million. If that is right, and if they plan to reach $60 million or more by 2017, then I guess McCutchen's salary would fit.

That is another reason why I am on teh fence...... anyone remember teh jason Kendell deal?????

[crazypghfan]

First chance to check in this season. While I can't deny I have also become a Rays fan while living here in Rays country, I still can't shake my childhood allegiance to the Buccos....nor should I! (As a kid, I would see how much gum I could shove into my mouth, so I could say I looked like Bill Mazeroski.) It has been really hard to be a Pirate fan the last few....well maybe more than a few...years, but hey, anybody can be a Yankee fan. I think the division is a little down this season...time for a surprise in black and gold???

We all can wish and dream CB...maybe ..just maybe.....