Pirates mulling over different moves – MLB News
The Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington spoke about the roster on Saturday, December 15, dropping a clear hint that the team can use both Jason Grilli and Joel Hanrahan in the bullpen.
There have recently been some questions about the possibility of Hanrahan playing as a closer in the upcoming season. Since the Pirates recently re-signed setup man, Grilli, for two years, Hanrahan – who pitched as closer this past season, has a new competitor.
Be that as it may, rumours swirled earlier that the Bucs were considering trading Hanrahan, but Saturday’s talk that Huntington had on the occasion of PiratesFest did not have any such indications.
Still, trading him cannot be ruled out since the Pirates’ objective is to have a combination of the player that can maximize the club’s chances to win the division – something they have not achieved for years now.
"We absolutely can open the season with Grilli and Hanrahan," Huntington said. "There are places we feel we can upgrade, and if we make a move, it will be to get better."
Filling out the roster certainly generates question about capital as well. With roughly $61 million payroll that the Pirates had for 2012, there are signs that it may reach to $70 million this year. Generating revenue for that, Pirates president Frank Coonelly says, is his responsibility to have a set of players that can compete.
"My job is to generate as much revenue as possible, to give Neal and Clint the greatest opportunity to put together a roster that can compete."
Other than the bullpen that the Bucs are currently focusing – which has also set off some debate as well, offence is also a matter that needs attention – which the Pirates are giving painstakingly. In focus is Andrew McCutchen, the hitter whose performance offensively was emphatic this past season.
First base coach Rick Sofield, as the general manager put would be of great help to McCutchen.
"Subjectively, Andrew won a Gold Glove. Objectively, he doesn't score so well," Huntington said. "Sofield can be of help to Cutch; he can help drive up his metrics."
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