Someone finally got to Aroldis Chapman and, of all teams, it was the light-hitting Pirates. Chapman allowed back-to-back doubles to lead off the 10th inning, allowing his first earned run of the 2012 season and first since September 10, 2011 — a stretch of 35 straight scoreless innings. Pittsburgh won the game by a 5-4 score.
Here's the latest from the NL Central…
- Joel Hanrahan doesn't think the Pirates will trade him this summer, the closer tells Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Cook opines that Pirates ownership's commitment to re-signing top players will be questioned if Hanrahan doesn't receive a long-term extension. Hanrahan told Cook he didn't think much about trade rumors, though we know he at least reads them on this very website.
- Astros GM Jeff Luhnow confirmed that his team still has an interest in Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler, reports MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. Luhnow wouldn't say if the Astros had submitted a contract offer by today, the reported deadline set by Soler's agents.
- A.J. Pierzynski tells CSN Chicago's Chuck Garfien about how he was almost dealt to the Cubs in 2003, as the Cubs offered the Twins a package of Juan Cruz and Todd Wellemeyer for the catcher. Pierzynski said that he'd like to remain with the White Sox when he hits free agency this winter but if the Southsiders' local rivals from Wrigleyville were to contact him, “if they were the only team that came after me and I wanted to continue to play, how could I say no?"
- Francisco Rodriguez wants to remain with the Brewers through the rest of this season, reports MLB.com's Adam McCalvy, though the reliever said he'd like to close again, in all likelihood for a new team since John Axford is ensconced as Milwaukee's stopper.
Why would the Pirates give him a long term extension? They should trade him now while he has some value. Closers are way over-valued. They could net a good return for Hanrahan and throw Grilli in as the closer. He is just as good as Hanrahan. Actually they just shouldn’t have a closer. Closers are pointless. You’re best reliever should just pitch whenever the game is on the line, not necessarily in the ninth inning or whenever it is a “save situation”
You can repeat this as much as you want but it’s not going to change. I understand you have to have the lead going into the 9th in order to win it, but simply closing out a game in the 9th inning isn’t nearly as easy as everyone acts like.
It’s not, but to me the 7th and 8th innings are just as important with that 1-3 run lead as the 9th is. IF your a good RP you should be able to get 3 outs in any inning you pitched in regardless.
I agree with you man. Hanrahan gotta go while we can still get something in return for him. I also don’t understand the necessity of a closer, but if there must be a designated closer it should definitely be Grilled Cheese. He’s proved himself. A long term contract for Hanrahan just sounds silly to me.
I was wondering who would be first to get to Champman. Would never have guessed the Pirates, but you never know. That kid has a ton of potential. I’m anxious to see if/when they decide to try him in the rotation. He’s SO effective as a closer it would be difficult for them to move him at this point.
I know, right? Even if it was the Pirates to first score off him, I would never have quessed that Clint Barmes and backup Catcher Michael ‘Fort’ Mckenry would be the culprits.
So Ron Cook wants the Pirates to sign Hanny to a long-term deal. If the Pirates sign him to that type of deal. Then he becomes the player that he was with the Nationals. Cook will be writing a column bashing the Pirates for doing it. He’d be telling the Pirates what a bone-headed move it was to sign him. One reason why I hate Pittsburgh sports writers. Yet The Steelers will always get a free pass. I was born and raised in Pittsburgh and can’t stand the Steelers and Penguins.
guess Cook forgot that NH signed both Cutch and Tabata to long term deals. signing the Hammer doesnt mean that the FO doesnt have a commitment to the team, it shows that it DOES!!!
I’d rather trade Hanrahan for a teams top 10 prospect and give the extension to James McDonald. Its been proven starters are more valuable than closers.