Carmen Mlodzinski struggled as a starter last season, especially against left-handed hitters. Then he started attacking lefties differently, and it’s worth giving him another look as a starter. I talk about the 5th starter candidate today on OffBeat:
northshorenine.com/is-carmen-ml...
The first episode of OffBeat is up! This is a new daily show I’m doing with @northshorenine.com where I take a look at what’s happening with the Pirates.
Episode 1 is Konnor Griffin talk, his Opening Day chances and the pitch he hasn’t hit this spring (yet).
northshorenine.com/the-pirates-...
The Pirates have agreed to contracts with the following pre-arbitration eligible players:
Another batch of cuts for the Pirates
Getting back into the podcast game. Episodes start this week
northshorenine.com/announcement...
Immaculate grid is having quite a day percentage wise
Spring Training No. 7 is in the books. Year No. 7 of coverage is just getting started.
See yinz soon.
Bryan Reynolds said he was excited for Andrew McCutchen after he signed today with the Rangers. Here’s what he had to say about the organization moving on without Cutch.
It’s not a trip to spring training without some BP videos. Esmerlyn Valdez and Jhostynxon Garcia with some cuts today
Interesting trade. Callihan had his season cut short last year after fracturing his arm colliding with an outfield wall, but showed some offensive potential from the left side. Top 20 prospect for the Reds who could contribute on right side of the infield or the outfield.
I don’t know if José Urquidy was that satisfied with his strikeout pitch to Gio Urshela, but it was sequenced well and got the whiff. Fastball low in the zone, follows it up with a sinker. Sinker has been getting some solid dive.
Staying in the game. Working through what that looks like
Good morning
Yo
Finally made it out to the wall for Maz. The case was fresh
At no point this offseason did I think he was going to
Maybe the hip injury contributed to some of that. Still, bat speed was down a considerable chunk in April ‘25 compared to April ‘24.
Still needs to show his more selective approach wasn’t just a one-year thing and that he can handle pitches low in the zone. Both aren’t guaranteed
Ozuna’s bat speed dropped 1.1 mph last year, his SLG dropped over 100 points against every pitch group and he’ll presumably boot O’Hearn to the outfield after he was one of the game’s best defensive 1B last year.
Had to have been better ways to improve the offense for that money
#FansWithSources
Pirates have signed José Urquidy to a one-year, $1.5 million deal, pending physical. Adds depth to staff, he reunites with pitching coach Bill Murphy (who he worked with in Houston) and has minor league options. Will Sammon had it first
Some personal news. I was let go by MLB dot com today as part of a restructuring within the company.
I’m proud of the work I did there, and I want to thank everyone who read along. Onto the next chapter.
Sports are a “cultural phenomenon.” They are a regular, unifying force for community, joy, justice, history. That’s why there are dedicated sports desks, to properly document something that means so much to so many.
We are all the poorer for this short-sighted, abhorrent decision.
Pirates offered the same AAV for Suarez as what he signed for with the Reds (and were willing to go higher), according to a source. Sounds like Suarez chose a more favorable ballpark and familiarity w/ Cincy for a prove-it deal.
Would have been 1/$15 but Pirates were willing to do a multi-year deal
A year ago, Spencer Horwitz felt the pressure of being the Pirates only big offseason addition. This time around, he’s healthy and part of a deeper lineup.
“We're just super excited to be able to lean on each other.”
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“Right now, I'm competing against throwing fastballs in the zone. Every time I don't do that, I have some choice words for myself. So I haven't lost that edge yet."
Jared Jones is throwing bullpens again and picking up velo. More from his PiratesFest trip
www.mlb.com/pirates/news...
I asked Jared Jones what his emotions were on that first day he could throw.
His answer: “Let’s fucking go.”
Not really an emotion, in my opinion, but yeah, he’s excited to get back.
The Pirates have announced seven more non-roster invites to Spring Training, including Konnor Griffin
The Pirates have acquired third baseman Francisco Loreto from the Phillies for RHP Chase Shugart. Loreto, 18, played 47 games in the FCL last year. Shugart was DFA’d last week.
Dave Giusti, one of the greatest relievers in Pirates history and a World Series champion, passed away Sunday.
www.mlb.com/pirates/news...
