Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Starling Marte could be available for trade, with the team seeking a top catching prospect in return, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. 

The 31-year-old outfielder is under club control for two more seasons. His contract includes an $11.5 million salary for 2020 and a $12.5 million team option for 2021.

Although Pittsburgh (69-83) finished in last place in the National League Central in 2019, Marte enjoyed another strong season offensively. He hit .295/.342/.503 while establishing new career highs in both home runs (23) and RBI (82). He also stole 25 bases in 31 attempts.

A two-time Gold Glove winner, it was not the best of seasons for Marte in center field. The eight-year veteran recorded a negative-nine in terms of defensive runs saved in 2019, which was tied for the fourth-worst mark among all center fielders, according to FanGraphs.

Of note, Marte was limited to 132 games as he dealt landed on the injured list on multiple occasions. He missed nine games in April with an abdominal wall contusion and a bruised right quad, and he did not play following Sept. 10 because of a wrist injury.

As Marte has found himself in the rumor mill, he has let it be known that he is open to being traded to a contender as the Pirates continue to rebuild.

"[The Pirates] have the power to decide about my future," Marte told Hector Gomez of Deportivo Z 101 (h/t Mark Polishuk of MLB Trade Rumors) last week. "If it was for me, I will leave for a team that is ready to compete right now on a World Series, and that's not our case."

Pittsburgh has some young talent in its farm system, with the outfield an area of strength. However, none of their top 30 prospects play catcher, according to MLB.com.

Jacob Stallings, 29, is the only catcher on the team's current 40-man roster.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Starling Marte told Hector Gomez of Deportivo Z 101 (h/t Mark Polishuk of MLB Trade Rumors) that he would welcome a trade to a World Series contender in light of rumors that the New York Mets are looking to acquire him.

Marte said: "[The Pirates] have the power to decide about my future. If it was for me, I will leave for a team that is ready to compete right now on a World Series, and that's not our case."

He added: "The Mets are in position to [compete for a World Series], and it will be an honor to play with them. If it doesn't happen, I will keep working hard and giving my team all I have."

Jon Heyman of MLB Network and WFAN 660 broke the Mets-Marte rumor Nov. 23:

Mets have interest in Starling Marte. Fits what they seek — strong defender in CF, righthanded hitter. Pirates still working on manager. Uncertain if he’ll be dealt. Cubs, Reds, Padres among others who will look at center fielders.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 23, 2019

Marte, 31, had 23 home runs, 82 RBI and a .295 batting average in 132 games for the 69-93 Pirates, who finished last in the NL Central.

The 86-76 Mets fell short of the postseason, just missing out on the second NL Wild Card Game berth, which the 89-73 Milwaukee Brewers earned.

The Pirates have picked up Marte's $11.5 million option for the 2020 season, per Heyman. They have the option to retain the outfielder for the 2021 season as well.

That seems unlikely. Pittsburgh's window of playoff contention in the 2010s is over, and the team has bottomed out in a tough NL Central that includes two playoff teams (the Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals) and another that won a World Series and made four straight postseasons from 2015 to 2018 (the Chicago Cubs).

The 75-87 Reds also look like they're trending in the right direction after an eight-win improvement from 2018.

Marte served the Pirates well, but he isn't a fit for a Pirates roster in need of a significant rebuild.

In New York, Marte could help NL Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso, back-to-back NL Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom and the rest of the Mets reach the playoffs. He could move into center field between left fielder J.D. Davis and right fielder Michael Conforto.

John Harper of SNY.tv reported on what the Mets would have to offer to land Marte:

"The consensus, based on conversations I had with scouts, executives, and minor-league evaluators on Monday, is that Pittsburgh's new GM, Ben Cherington, probably would have to like the idea of taking a major leaguer such as J.D. Davis, Brandon Nimmo, or Dom Smith in return for Marte.

"Otherwise, the feeling is the Mets don't have enough depth in their minor-league system to sell the Pirates on a package of prospects without including one of their few blue-chippers they would consider untouchable."

The Bucs start the 2020 campaign against the Tampa Bay Rays on the road.

The Mets open their season at home against the World Series champion Washington Nationals.

Derek Shelton will be tasked with turning the Pittsburgh Pirates around after agreeing to become their next manager. 

The Pirates have hired Derek Shelton as our 41st Manager of the organization.

Shelton has 15 years of coaching experience and spent the last two seasons as the bench coach of the Minnesota Twins. pic.twitter.com/nbm6Es4Qoc

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) November 27, 2019

The Pirates will be Shelton's first MLB managerial gig, but the 49-year-old does have experience in the role with New York Yankees minor league teams in the Gulf Coast and New York-Penn Leagues and from 2000-02. 

Shelton was able to oversee the development of Robinson Cano, Chien-Ming Wang and Dioner Navarro during his time with the Yankees. He also spent time as a hitting coach for the Cleveland Indians (2005-09) and Tampa Bay Rays (2010-16). 

For the past two seasons, Shelton worked as a bench coach for the Minnesota Twins. The 2019 campaign was wildly successful for the organization with 101 wins, an AL Central title and an MLB record 307 homers. 

Based on Shelton's track record as a hitting coach and bench coach, the Pirates are betting on him to help develop their young talent and bring them back to contention in the NL Central. 

The Pirates fired Clint Hurdle on the final day of the 2019 season. He went 735-720 in nine years with the organization, was named National League Manager of the Year in 2013 and made three consecutive playoff appearances from 2013-15. 

Since winning 98 games in 2015, the Pirates have struggled to compete for a playoff spot in the NL. They have had losing records in three of the last four seasons and been on the losing end of some notable trades. 

Gerrit Cole was traded to the Houston Astros for four players in Jan. 2018. The right-hander, who posted a 4.26 ERA in his final season with Pittsburgh, has been one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball over the past two years.

When the Pirates found themselves surprisingly in the playoff race at the trade deadline in 2018, they traded Austin Meadows, Shane Baz and Tyler Glasnow to the Tampa Bay Rays for Chris Archer. 

Archer has posted a 4.92 ERA in 33 starts with the Pirates since the deal. Meadows hit 33 homers with a .922 OPS and Glasnow had a 1.78 ERA with 76 strikeouts to help the Rays make the playoffs in 2019. Baz is currently ranked as the No. 94 prospect in MLB by MLB.com. 

There were also issues behind the scenes for the Pirates. Reliever Keone Kela received a two-game suspension in July for reportedly being involved in a clubhouse argument with a front-office staff member.

Kyle Crick had season-ending surgery in September when he injured his finger during a fight with Felipe Vazquez over music playing in the locker room. 

Even though there are certainly problems for Shelton to clean up, there are also building blocks in place for the franchise to be optimistic.

Josh Bell developed into an All-Star last season with a .277/.367/.569 slash line; Bryan Reynolds had a terrific rookie campaign with an .880 OPS; Starling Marte remains a steady presence, hitting a career-high 23 homers in 2019. 

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Felipe Vazquez received 21 additional child sex-related charges Tuesday amid an investigation into his contact with minors.

Rich Cholodofsky of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported prosecutors in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, filed the charges after investigators found evidence of child pornography on devices allegedly owned by Vazquez, who's also facing charges in Lee County, Florida.

The 28-year-old Venezuela native received 10 counts of child pornography, 10 counts of unlawful contact with a minor and one count of corruption of minors. An extradition request to Florida was put on hold pending the Pennsylvania charges, per Cholodofsky.

"He will stay until the charges are disposed of in this county," Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rita Hathaway said.

The criminal complaint stated Vazquez requested photos and videos from a girl and received media that showed her "in various stages of nudity."

In September, he was arrested and denied bail for soliciting a child for sexual acts, per Chris Bumbaca of USA Today.

He was charged with one count of soliciting a child for unlawful sexual conduct using computer services or devices and one count of providing obscene material to minors in Florida and charges of statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with minor, corruption of minors and indecent assault of someone less than 16 in Pennsylvania.

The initial investigation stemmed from his alleged sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl, who is now 15.

Vazquez was placed on the restricted list by the Pirates and administrative leave by the MLB Commissioner's Office following his arrest.

Vera Clemente, the 81-year-old widow of Pittsburgh Pirates legend Roberto Clemente, died Saturday.

Pirates Chairman of the Board Bob Nutting released a statement confirming the news:

A statement from Bob Nutting, Pirates Chairman of the Board, on the passing of Vera Clemente. pic.twitter.com/VwfYX3xeQ6

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) November 17, 2019

Bill Hartlep of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review wrote that Clemente served as the chairwoman of the Roberto Clemente Foundation, a nonprofit that provides relief to areas afflicted by disasters and long-term poverty and holds baseball clinics for children, among other initiatives.

She also worked as a Goodwill Ambassador for Major League Baseball, and commissioner Rob Manfred released a statement expressing his condolences.

"As a Goodwill Ambassador for MLB, Vera impacted countless children and extended her family's humanitarian legacy of helping those in need," Manfred said (h/t Hartlep).

"With grace and strength, she led the way in welcoming players to the fraternity of Roberto Clemente Award winners, the single most prestigious off-the-field honor in our game."

Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Vera Clemente graduated first in her class at the University of Puerto Rico.

"She was strong, smart, gentle and funny, the perfect ambassador for carrying on the Clemente legacy—in large part because she also helped to create it," Mackey added.

Per Mackey, Clemente died of unknown causes in Puerto Rico. She is survived by three sons: Roberto Clemente Jr., Luis Roberto Clemente and Roberto Enrique Clemente.

Roberto Clemente stands as one of the game's all-time greats and perhaps its best humanitarian. He won two World Series with the Pirates, smacked 3,000 hits and was gifted with perhaps the best outfield arm in league history.

Clemente passed away on New Year's Eve 1972 in a plane crash while delivering supplies to Nicaragua, which had been struck by an earthquake eight days earlier.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have hired Ben Cherington to replace Neal Huntington as the general manager, according to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Cherington had served as the Toronto Blue Jays' vice president of baseball operations since September 2016.

In October, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reported Cherington was not expected to be included in the New York Mets' GM search because he was "happy" in Toronto and "not eager to leave."

However, Cherington emerged as the Pirates' top target on Thursday, per Mackey. The 45-year-old executive was reportedly offered the job on Thursday, and after sleeping on it, he accepted it on Friday.

This marks just the latest stop in the big leagues for Cherington. He got his start as an advanced scout for the Cleveland Indians in 1998, and he joined the Boston Red Sox in 1999. He served as the team's director of international scouting and director of player development before being named the general manager in October 2011.

Cherington held the title of GM for three-plus seasons in Boston, helping the franchise win the World Series in 2013. He resigned late in the 2015 campaign after the club hired Dave Dombrowski as the president of baseball operations.

Toronto went 216-270 over the course of Cherington's three seasons at the helm, finishing in fourth place in the American League East each time. The Blue Jays' record has declined with each passing season since 2015, as their 67-95 mark in 2019 was their worst since 2004 (67-94).

In two of Cherington's three seasons on the job, Toronto's payroll ranked no lower than 11th in the majors, per Spotrac. Now, he faces the challenge of working with a limited budget.

Pittsburgh's $72.7 million payroll last season ranked 29th in the majors, with only the Tampa Bay Rays ($64.2 million) spending less. The Pirates have been in the bottom third in the league in payroll in every year since at least 2011.

The franchise record for payroll is $99.5 million, set in 2016. A payroll of that size would have ranked 25th this past season.

Pittsburgh finished in last place in the National League Central in 2019 at 69-93, extending the team's postseason drought to four seasons.

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced the firing of general manager Neal Huntington on Monday.

Pirates announce Executive Vice President and General Manager Neal Huntington has been relieved of his duties. pic.twitter.com/eIoZu8JU5g

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) October 28, 2019

As Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted: "The move comes as somewhat of a surprise. Travis Williams only started in his new role as team president Monday, and owner Bob Nutting—when issuing a statement following the firing of [manager] Clint Hurdle—expressed confidence in Huntington's leadership."

Huntington, 50, has served as the team's general manager since 2007, presiding over three playoff teams (2013-15). However, those teams never advanced past the National League Divisional Series, and the club has posted just one winning season since, going 82-79 in 2018. 

This past season, the Pirates went 69-93, finishing fifth in the NL Central. Only the Miami Marlins (57-105) had a worse record in the National League. It was also the fourth time under Huntington's watch the team has finished last in the division. 

The Pirates have also struggled to develop young players. B/R's Joel Reuter ranked the team's farm system 17th in September. In recent years, they've jettisoned some of their most talented younger players, including Gerrit Cole, Austin Meadows and Tyler Glasnow. The latter two were traded to acquire starting pitcher Chris Archer, who has struggled in Pittsburgh. 

Meadows and Glasnow, meanwhile, were key figures in Tampa Bay's run to the postseason this year. The 24-year-old Meadows hit .291 with 33 homers and 89 RBI, establishing himself as one of the game's up-and-coming outfielders, while the 26-year-old Glasnow went 6-1 with a 1.78 ERA, a 0.89 WHIP and 76 strikeouts in 60.2 innings (12 starts), flashing a 100 mph heater.

If given a do-over, the Pirates would take back Meadows and Glasnow in a heartbeat. And Pirates fans have surely been watching the 2019 postseason with an air of "what might have been" as Cole has been dominant and Meadows and Glasnow helped fuel a surprising playoff push. 

That makes it unlikely that many Pirates fans will object to Monday's decision to move on from Huntington.

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced Sunday they fired manager Clint Hurdle. 

"This has been a challenging season on many levels," general manager Neal Huntington said of the move. "We are committed to assessing and improving upon our operations on all levels in order to return Postseason baseball to Pittsburgh."

Pirates announce the Club and Clint Hurdle part ways. pic.twitter.com/TeUvUD3LK0

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 29, 2019

This represents an apparent reversal from the team.

The Athletic's Stephen J. Nesbitt reported Wednesday the Pirates were "expected to make changes to their front office and coaching staff" in the offseason but that Hurdle had "received assurance from the organization" he'd be back for 2020.

Hurdle told The Athletic’s @stephenjnesbitt Wednesday that the organization had assured him he was returning. Possible explanations: 1. There was a misunderstanding within the organization. 2. Hurdle misunderstood what he was told. 3. Hurdle attempted a power play of sorts.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 29, 2019

USA Today's Bob Nightengale noted Hurdle had two years left on his deal with the team.

Nesbitt's report aside, his departure doesn't come as a surprise.

Heading into the final day of the regular season, the Pirates are last in the National League Central at 69-92, a year after having finished 82-79.

Hurdle helped guide Pittsburgh to three straight playoff appearances from 2013 to 2015 and he leaves with a winning record (735-720-1). However, the team's stagnation following its last postseason trip raised questions as to his continued suitability as manager.

Fans will likely be more perplexed to hear team owner Bob Nutting signal a commitment to Huntington and the front office:

Statement from Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting. pic.twitter.com/wsgytvOv6A

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 29, 2019

Failing to recoup adequate value for Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole is one reason for the Pirates' bleak outlook. Bryan Reynolds is at least helping the team salvage something from the McCutchen trade.

Still, Neither McCutchen nor Cole returned the kind of elite prospect haul to lay the foundation for the team's rebuild. Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter ranked Pittsburgh's farm system 18th in MLB in August.

Using Tyler Glasnow and Austin Meadows to acquire Chris Archer has backfired spectacularly as well.

One could argue Huntington is more responsible for the Pirates' current state than Hurdle.

Firing Hurdle and keeping Huntington in place is scapegoating and not fixing the problem.

— Paul Zeise (@PaulZeise) September 29, 2019

Fans have begun voting with their feet. The Pirates rank 27th in attendance, averaging 18,347 per game at PNC Park, which is down from 18,786 in 2018 and 23,696 in 2017.

Pittsburgh doesn't have the pieces to contend next season, nor does it have the young talent that points to a brighter future in a few years. That combination is likely to limit the pool of candidates the front office and ownership can target as it replaces Hurdle.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have reportedly declared manager Clint Hurdle safe.

"The Pirates are expected to make changes to their front office and coaching staff this offseason, but manager Clint Hurdle believes his job is secure," The Athletic's Stephen J. Nesbitt wrote Wednesday evening. "Hurdle told The Athletic on Wednesday that he recently received assurance from the organization that he will be back as manager next year."

Hurdle is in his ninth season as the Pirates manager. Staying in Pittsburgh wasn't a lock for Hurdle, as the Pirates are 66-91 and will finish with a losing record for the fifth time under Hurdle. However, this sub-.500 campaign was arguably the most surprising.

The front office must think the first half of 2019 was a truer indicator of Hurdle than the second half. 

Pittsburgh was 82-79 last year and held expectations to be competitive entering this year. At the All-Star break, the Pirates were just 2.5 games back from the lead in the National League Central. They then went 5-24 from July 12 to Aug. 12. According to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, they notched their 11th 90-loss season since 1998 and 24th in franchise history.

This year is the Pirates' second 90-loss season in the Hurdle era, with the other coming in the 62-year-old's first season in charge.

The pitching staff has especially underperformed, while the team has a minus-156 run differential. The starting rotation's 5.24 ERA ranks 27th above only Detroit's (5.25), Colorado's (5.61) and Baltimore's (5.65).

In happier times, with the likes of Andrew McCutchen, Gerrit Cole and Starling Marte, Hurdle led the Pirates to the three consecutive postseasons from 2013 to '15. In 2014 and '15, Pittsburgh lost in the NL Wild Card Game, while in 2013 the Pirates fell 3-2 to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS.

Overall in Pittsburgh, Hurdle has posted a 732-719-1 record. Prior to taking over the Pirates, he served as manager for the Colorado Rockies from 2002 to 2009. 

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez was arrested Tuesday and has since admitted to police that he tried to have sex with a 13-year-old girl, according to a criminal complaint released by Pennsylvania State Police (via Jeff Passan of ESPN).

The complaint also said he sent the girl, who is now 16, nude photographs of himself as well as videos of himself "committing sexual acts."

The offenses took place when Vazquez, now 28, was 26 years old.

He has been denied bail and has been charged with six counts, including statutory sexual assault, unlawful contact with a minor, corruption of a minor and indecent assault. The charges originated in Pennsylvania and Florida—where the girl now lives.

According to the complaint released Wednesday, Vazquez admitted he exchanged illicit images with the girl before driving to her home an hour away from Pittsburgh. When the girl got in his car, he pulled down her pants and tried to have sex with her.

He eventually left because he said he had a game that night, but he continued to message the girl.

The girl's mother eventually found the photographs and reported them to the police.

Vazquez has been placed on administrative leave by MLB as the league awaits further details to determine any possible discipline.

The 29-year-old has served as the Pirates closer for the past three seasons and is a two-time All-Star. He has 28 saves and a 1.65 ERA in 2019.