The roster is:
Pitchers: Gerrit Cole, Jeanmar Gomez, Jason Grilli, Francisco Liriano, Mark Melancon, Bryan Morris, Charlie Morton, Stolmy Pimentel, Wandy Rodriguez, Edinson Volquez, Tony Watson and Justin Wilson.
Infielders: Pedro Alvarez, Clint Barmes, Josh Harrison, Travis Ishikawa, Jordy Mercer, Gaby Sanchez and Neil Walker.
Outfilders: Starling Marte, Andrew McCutchen, Travis Snider and Jose Tabata.
Catchers: Russ Martin and Tony Sanchez.
- There won't be a public practice tomorrow at PNC Park as in past seasons. The Bucs need the open date to meet the mandated three scheduled off days in the spring.
- The Pirate-Phils game scheduled for this afternoon was cancelled because of rain. No last look for the bubble pitchers, tho it gives NH time to work the phones.
- Here is the Altoona Curve roster for 2014 - the club looks awfully strong on the mound.
- Greg Eckert of Paste Magazine picks PNC Park #1 in craft beers. And he should know - gotta be a long-time fan since he spells the city "Pittsburg."
- Ex-Bucs: Daniel McCutchen made the Rangers roster, and Evan Meek won a job with the Orioles.
5 comments:
Not much difference between this year's 25 man and last year's. I am mildly surprised they have only 4 outfielders. I suppose Josh Harrison is considered the 5th OF. Harrison is....okay....and he hustles and he's had a few moments, but I really wish the Pirates would upgrade from him with an elite utilityman. Someone like Kelly Johnson, now with the Yanks, is the kind of guy you want on a team that is supposedly a contender, not a fringe four-A guy like Harrison. Otherwise, a decent team, if one still deficient at 1B and in RF.
No, Will. The starting pitching isn't as deep, but the offense should improve and the pen rock steady. I really think these guys could (with a season of good health) win 90 games.
I agree with you on the bench. Clint is really limited in late innings with match ups. I would have liked to see them go after Kevin Frandsen, at least. But hey, almost showtime, so we shall see what we shall see.
Will, isn't Kelly Johnson starting for the Yankees? I mean if we can other team's starters as utility players that would be great but I don't think Johnson would pass up a starting opportunity with the Yankees to play on the Pirates bench.
Also the starting rotation has seen a major overhaul from last season: Burnett, Rodriguez, McDonald,. Sanchez and Locke to Liriano, Morton, Rodriguez, Cole and Volquez. Only Rodriguez returns.
Dave - I think Will was saying that we needed an upgrade to a guy that could start. Johnson prob didn't get much look from Pittsburgh because he's limited to left field and 2B, and the FO likes a lot more versatility from a bench guy. Robert Andino was not a bad depth pickup to have stashed at Indy.
Close, Ron, but Kelly Johnson can also play third in addition to LF and 2B, and the Yankees have even used him at 1B this season (though that is probably a desperation move). My point is that Johnson is to my mind an elite utilityman. A guy who can get near-starter at bats (350 to 400 or perhaps even more) in a season because he can legitimately play several positions. Josh Harrison is nowhere near Kelly Johnson in either versatility or hitting ability. The Pirates' bench, is definitely substandard for a supposed contender.
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