Kevin Gorman stories, Page 113
Pirates, medical partners could ‘potentially utilize’ PNC Park as a covid-19 vaccination center
The Pittsburgh Pirates are meeting with medical partners at Allegheny Health Network and Highmark to “potentially utilize” PNC Park as a covid-19 vaccination center, a team spokesman confirmed Thursday. “The ballpark can allow for mass vaccinations to be done in a safe and socially distanced manner,” team spokesman Brian Warecki...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: Pirates GM Ben Cherington’s minor moves shake up status quo
While watching the Pittsburgh Steelers get blown out by the Cleveland Browns, I commented to my cousin that Sunday night would have been a better time for the Pirates to trade Josh Bell than Christmas Eve. His response: Wait, the Pirates traded Josh Bell? So maybe Ben Cherington’s timing worked,...
Pirates claim outfielder Troy Stokes Jr. off waivers from Tigers, designate reliever Nik Turley
The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Troy Stokes Jr. off waivers from the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday, adding an outfielder to the mix. To make room for Stokes on the 40-man roster, the Pirates designated lefty reliever Nik Turley for assignment. Stokes is a 5-foot-9, 200-pounder who missed the 2020 season with...
Ex-Pirate Josh Bell calls trade to Nationals ‘something that I embrace with open arms’
After being the lone All-Star for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season, Josh Bell is embracing his trade to the Washington Nationals, who he called an “All-Star team” filled with World Series champions. “It’s definitely exciting times,” Bell said Saturday afternoon on a video conference call. “I think it’s everyone’s dream...
Fractured right wrist ends Pirates RF Gregory Polanco’s winter ball season
Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Gregory Polanco fractured his wrist, ending his winter ball season in his native Dominican Republic, the latest setback in his injury-riddled career. The Pirates said in a statement Polanco suffered a small nondisplaced fracture of the triquetrum bone and will have his wrist immobilized “for a...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: After Josh Bell trade, Pirates need to invest in future cornerstone
Ben Cherington has been consistent with his message that the Pittsburgh Pirates need to “be aggressive and focused about adding talent,” which is a polite way of saying that the organization is bereft of it. The Pirates general manager also hasn’t been shy about implying that anyone and everyone is...
Trading Josh Bell to Nationals is first major move in offseason of rebuilding for Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates once coveted Josh Bell’s bat so much they took the risk of drafting the slugger in the second round and signing him to a record $5 million bonus to convince him to skip college. Bell became the face of the franchise, both for hitting majestic home runs...
‘Christmas came early’ for Sean Gibson, who celebrates MLB’s recognition of Negro Leagues
When Sean Gibson got word MLB officially was recognizing the Negro Leagues, he spent Wednesday taking celebratory phone calls from the descendants of Satchel Paige and Buck Leonard. The great-grandson of Josh Gibson is the executive director of a foundation in the heralded slugger’s name and spearheading a campaign to...
Pirates ticket David Burke to improve engagement with fans, business partners
With a “focus on enhancing fan and partner engagement,” the Pittsburgh Pirates announced Wednesday the hiring of David Burke as executive vice president of sales and business development. Burke will lead a handful of sales departments, ranging from tickets to partnerships, as well as business analytics. He has been executive...
Pirates manager Derek Shelton promises to create a culture of competition next season
Derek Shelton takes pride in laying the foundation for a culture change in his first season as Pittsburgh Pirates manager, and he’s just as enthused about creating a culture of competition in his second year. MLB is still working out whether the 2021 season will start on time or delay...
Pirates hire Tony Leo as assistant athletic trainer
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Monday the hiring of Tony Leo as assistant athletic trainer for the major league club, completing the final piece of their sports performance staff. Leo served as infection control prevention coordinator for the Oakland A’s this past season. Prior to that, he spent 23 seasons with...
Kevin Gorman’s Take 5: For Pirates, Rule 5 Draft is 1st move in virtually normal offseason
The MLB winter meetings were virtual because of the coronavirus pandemic, so baseball’s biggest week of hot stove season felt like virtually any other week to Pirates general manager Ben Cherington. The Pirates were relatively quiet until Thursday, when they were active in the Rule 5 Draft by adding a...
Pirates hire new pitching development coordinator, make changes to baseball ops
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Thursday a number of changes to their baseball operations staff, including the hiring of Josh Hopper as pitching development coordinator. Hopper comes to the Pirates after three seasons as pitching coach at Dallas Baptist University, which won 43 games in 2019 as his staff ranked ninth...
Pirates select pitcher Jose Soriano from Angels with top pick in Rule 5 Draft
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington had two spots open on the 40-man roster, the No. 1 overall pick in the Rule 5 Draft and the need to infuse young talent into the major league roster. “We wanted to be active with the first pick,” Cherington said. “We wanted to...
Four clubs receive MLB invites to remain Pirates affiliates amid minor-league contraction
The Pittsburgh Pirates confirmed Wednesday that four clubs received invitations to remain affiliated with them amid MLB’s minor-league contraction to reduce the number of teams from 160 to 120. The Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A), Altoona Curve (Double-A), Greensboro Grasshoppers (High-A) and Bradenton Marauders (Low-A) were invited to continue serving as the...
Pirates clear room on 40-man roster by waiving RHP Ashton Goudeau, who’s claimed by Orioles
The Pittsburgh Pirates waived right-handed pitcher Ashton Goudeau, clearing room on their 40-man roster before Thursday’s Rule 5 Draft. The Baltimore Orioles claimed Goudeau off waivers Monday, according to an MLB.com report. The Orioles claimed RHP Ashton Goudeau off waivers from the Pirates.— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 7, 2020 The...
Pirates A to Z: Nik Turley brought intensity to mound with an incredible comeback story
During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z, an alphabetical player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, from outfielder Anthony Alford to pitcher Nik Turley. Nik Turley Positions: Pitcher Throws: Left Age: 31 Height: 6-foot-4 Weight: 235 pounds 2020 MLB statistics: 0-3, 4.98 ERA/1.108 WHIP in 21 2/3...
Pirates A to Z: Despite ‘outfield experiment,’ Cole Tucker still viewed as an infielder
During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z, an alphabetical player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, from outfielder Anthony Alford to pitcher Nik Turley. Cole Tucker Positions: Shortstop/Outfielder Bats/Throws: Both/Right Age: 24 Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 205 pounds 2020 MLB statistics: Batted .220/.252/.275 with three doubles, a home...
Pirates sign Erik Gonzalez, Michael Feliz, Jameson Taillon, non-tender Clay Holmes
As MLB’s nontender deadline approached, there was speculation the Pittsburgh Pirates could cut ties with Erik Gonzalez because he plays the one position with organizational depth. Instead, the Pirates on Wednesday signed Gonzalez to a one-year contract for $1.225 million that made the veteran the frontrunner to be the starting...
Pirates A to Z: Staff ace Jameson Taillon used season of recovery to reinvent his mechanics
During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z, an alphabetical player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, from outfielder Anthony Alford to pitcher Nik Turley. Jameson Taillon Position: Pitcher Throws: Right Age: 29 Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 230 pounds 2020 MLB statistics: Did not play while recovering from Tommy...
‘Humble, hard-working and loyal as can be:’ Former Pirates 1B coach Tommy Sandt dies
A baseball lifer with a distinctive bushy mustache and an easygoing personality, Tommy Sandt coached for 21 years in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization and was the first base coach for their three consecutive NL East Division championships from 1990-92. Sandt died Tuesday. He was 69. Lost a great friend &...
AT&T SportsNet reaches agreement with Verizon Fios to relaunch regional sports network
Fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Pirates no longer have to worry about scheduling conflicts bumping their favorite teams from television, like some did this past summer. AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh has reached an agreement with Verizon Fios to relaunch the regional sports network, the broadcast home to the Penguins and...
Pirates A to Z: Chris Stratton puts a positive spin on his first full season in a relief role
During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z, an alphabetical player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, from outfielder Anthony Alford to pitcher Nik Turley. Chris Stratton Position: Pitcher Throws: Right Age: 30 Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 210 pounds 2020 MLB statistics: 2-1 with a 3.90 ERA/1.30 WHIP in...
Former Pirates affiliate in West Virginia one of founding members of MLB Draft League
A former Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate is one of the five founding members of the MLB Draft League, a summer league announced Monday to focus on providing exposure to draft-eligible college prospects. The West Virginia Black Bears, the Pirates’ Class A short-season affiliate since 2015, joins the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, State...
Pirates A to Z: Jacob Stallings solidified himself as Gold Glove-caliber catcher, team MVP
During the offseason, the Tribune-Review will offer Pirates A to Z, an alphabetical player-by-player look at the 40-man roster, from outfielder Anthony Alford to pitcher Nik Turley. Player: Jacob Stallings Position: Catcher Bats/Throws: Right/right Age: 30 Height: 6-foot-5 Weight: 220 pounds 2020 MLB statistics: Batted .248/.326/.376 with seven doubles, three...
