Sunday, November 1, 2015

This Week's Notebook

  • Andrew McCutchen became the second Pirate to win the Roberto Clemente Award, joining Willie Stargell, who claimed the award in 1974.The honor recognizes the MLB player who best represents the game both on and off the field.
  • Starling Marte, Cutch & Gerrit Cole are finalists for the Golden Glove award.
  • 1B/OF Andrew Lambo, after missing virtually all of 2015 to plantar fasciitis, is playing winter ball as he tries to get back to speed.
  • RHP Jameson Taillon should be ready to go when camp opens after missing two seasons with Tommy John & hernia surgeries. He's been working out at Pirate City.
Jameson Taillon (image via MLB.com)
  • A couple of minor league names to follow: Altoona's Jose OF/1B Jose Osuna (.288/.327/.437 - good stick, have glove, will travel), UT Adam Farzier (.324/.384/.416 - plays the middle and the OF) and Curve/Indy OF Willie Garcia (.275/.314/.431 - toolsy with power & big K issues).
  • Not many ex-Bucs in the WS, just KC's Edinson Volquez (RHP) & Dale Svuem (hitting coach). 
  • Justin Morneau's option was turned down by the Rockies; just sayin'...
  • The Braves signed another Bucco reclamation project, RHP Chris Volstad, to a minor league deal with a camp invite. He slashed 11-7/3.18 at Indy this year.
  • Rick Sofield was one of the finalists for the San Diego Padre job, which went to Andy Green. Jeff Banister left to manage Texas last year, and Jay Bell left in late 2013 to become the Reds' bench coach. Give Clint & the org credit for a pretty sharp eye when it comes to on-field coaching hires.
  • Neal Huntington came in second in The Sporting News Executive of the Year beauty contest behind Toronto's GM Alex Anthopoulos, who ironically resigned the same day he took home the trophy.
  • Root Sports announced that the network posted an 8.4 average household (250,000+ fans per game) rating for the 2015 Pirates regular season. That marks the highest rated season recorded in the network’s history, and the third highest household ratings of all U.S.-based MLB teams for the past season. The Buccos extended Root's contract before the 2010 season and missed out on the subsequent explosion in TV revenue. Their next grab at the golden ring comes in 2020. 
  • The pride and joy of Carnegie, Hans Wagner, has his image watching over his ol' hometown once again.

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