Championship Series Season...
Pirates Stuff:
- Per media reports, the Pirates have agreed to re-sign OF Kyler Fedko to a two-year minor league deal. Fedko, 27, is a Gibsonia guy from Vincentian Academy who made his MLB debut with Minnesota in June. He was DFA'ed by the Twins and signed with the Bucs in September after a knee injury; he hopes to be back in action by May, though that would be an optimistic time frame. Kyle hit .274 w/17 HR in 266 ABs at AAA St. Paul before Minny called him up. If the name seems familiar, he's John Fedko's son, former local sportscaster (Fedko Zone).
- Brandon Lowe (2B) and Jared Triolo (UT) are NL Golden Glove finalists. Lowe had a +15 OAA (outs above average), tied for second among second basemen after posting the worst range among 2B in 2025. Tri was the NL’s utilityman Gold Glover in 2024. This season he was mostly used at SS & 3B but also played 1B, RF and CF.
- The Pirates are one of five finalists for the Selig Award, joining the Cubs, Twins, Rays and Nationals as the teams up for the '26 charitable & philanthropic award. The Pirates were nominated for the Chill Mobile, a mental health unit on wheels created to address youth mental health. Since its 2022 beginnings, the program has reached more than 44,200 students across the region.
- The Sporting News series on Baseball's Greatest Players continued with the Most Beloved. No surprise to find out Willie Stargell made that list, along with Buck Leonard of the Homestead Grays.
- And yes, there was a nice crowd outside the Forbes Field wall for the Game Seven Gang's annual Maz Day get together; the sunny 80-degree weather couldn't have been better nor the memories.
- The Savannah Bananas announced Thursday that they will return to Pittsburgh to play the Indianapolis Clowns on Aug. 6-7. They sold out a pair of games the last time they visited PNC Park in 2025.
- Andrew McCutchen is joining SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio as a Postseason analyst, appearing every Wednesday and Thursday on “Power Alley” through the World Series.
- LHP Tim Mayza, who had a brief run with the Bucs in 2025 before being released, signed with the Phils. He's been with them since the Pirates let him go, posting a 3-4/3.62 line in 68 2025-'26 outings.
- The fallout begins: The Astros announced that they will not renew manager Joe Espada’s contract, which was set to expire at the end of the month. Espada managed Houston from 2024-26. Several of his coaches were also released although ol' Bucco Dave Clark will return.
Playoff Stuff:
- Milwaukee swept the Dodgers in the NLCS while the Rays are up three-games-to-two v the Guardians. Not only will it be an interesting World Series but it's certain to fire up the small market v large market debate re: a cap when the contract talks resume.
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