Pirates spring training report: Andrew McCutchen MOVES ON? Kyle Nicolas traded?
Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Colin Beazley and Noah Hiles react to the biggest stories originating from spring training and Grapefruit League play this week in Florida.
Did GM Ben Cherington and manager Don Kelly make the right move in trading reliever Kyle Nicolas to the Reds for prospect Tyler Callihan? Can Callihan be expected to contribute in the lineup next to names like Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz, Marcell Ozuna, Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn? And how much will the bullpen miss Nicolas?
The guys also ponder Andrew McCutchen’s departure for a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers, what it means for the season and how fans might react to a franchise icon leaving town once again.
For more Pirates coverage, visit: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates
8 comments
Bradenton…the friendly city. Yeah, that's our slogan. Except when we are stuck in traffic on I-75 having a meltdown.
Well done Colin and Noah – bet you didn't know you would be watched in Australia, in Hawks Nest (look its up!). What happened to Jason Mackey is he no longer with the P-G?
Tyler Callihan has not logged a lot of time at third base. Research shows that he has played only ONE game there in the last three years. Prior to that (2022 and earlier) he committed 15 errors in 62 games at third. His primary position has always been second base (2000+ innings). Projecting him as a potential everyday third baseman (or even platooning with Triolo) this year is very surprising. My feeling is that Tyler’s chance of making the opening day roster is less than 5%. Good AAA depth, nothing more.
Did you leave any finger prints on those knives you stuck in Andrew's back on his way out.
Love Cutch but everything comes to an end. Pirates need to move on and retool and they have brought in bats. With the team being this crappy the last couple of seasons, sentimentality needs to be the farthest from their minds.
I would like Cutch to retire a Pirate, but decisions need to be made without using our heart. Cutch merely only got a minor league deal with an invite (as Colin states). I hope he goes to Texas and hits 30 homers, the dude was nothing but the truth in Pittsburgh, but the Pirates have to win baseball games and other guys at this point give the team a better chance.
Keller is just doing Keller stuff. He's like a John Deer tractor. He's not "sexy" as his K% doesn't get many hot n bothered, but the dude grabs the ball every 5 and gives his team a chance.
He just did that to show some one wanted him. Minor league deal, probably won’t make the team. Just why. Should have just retired.