The Pirates have agreed to a two-year extension with renowned pitching coach Ray Searage, reports Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Searage, who is widely touted as one of the top pitching coaches in the game, was on a contract that expired at the end of the current campaign but is now locked up through the 2019 campaign. The Pirates have gained a reputation for revitalizing pitchers coming off down stretches, thanks to the resurgences of arms like A.J. Burnett, Francisco Liriano, Mark Melancon, Jason Grilli, Edinson Volquez, Ivan Nova and Juan Nicasio, among others. Searage and former special assistant Jim Benedict — he’s now with the Marlins — receive a great deal of the credit for those successful reclamation projects. Biertempfel’s report also includes “educated speculation” on the fates of the rest of recently extended manager Clint Hurdle’s coaching staff, so Bucs fans will want to check it out in full.
Here’s more out of the Steel City…
- Left-hander Jack Leathersich spoke to Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the late waiver claim that sent him from the Cubs organization to the Pirates as well as his quick return from Tommy John surgery. Perhaps predictably, given the abbreviated nature of his rehab period, the 27-year-old Leathersich struggled upon his initial return. “I was back in games in 10 months, but I just couldn’t recover,” Leathersich tells Brink.“So I’d throw and then the next two days were pretty miserable.” As Brink notes, however, Leathersich clearly got stronger as the season carried on; he didn’t allow a run and posted a 29-to-10 K/BB ratio over his final 18 innings with Triple-A Iowa before being designated for assignment and claimed by Pittsburgh.
- Brink also writes that Jung Ho Kang has a roster spot in the Dominican Winter League this offseason, but it’s not yet clear if he’ll get approval to play there this offseason, as he’s still on the Pirates’ restricted list. Kang has still been unable to obtain a work visa to enter the United States on the heels of this past offseason’s DUI arrest — his third DUI charge in his native South Korea. Bucs skipper Clint Hurdle said he’d travel to the Dominican Republic to meet with Kang in person and watch him on the field if he is indeed cleared to play, per Brink.
- Injured catcher Francisco Cervelli still hopes to return this season, MLB.com’s Adam Berry writes. Cervelli took batting practice and ran today but has yet to be able to crouch behind the plate as he recovers from an ailing quadriceps. As Berry notes, the team’s preference would be to allow Cervelli to enter the offseason feeling healthy and confident, which is also why they’ve opted not to shut down Gregory Polanco, who recently returned from a hamstring issue. Cervelli is in the first season of a three-year, $31MM contract and has been limited to 81 games with a .249/.342/.370 slash line in 2017.
Ray Searage is nothing as long as the Huntington is still the GM.. the Pirates have resumed being the hot mess they always were before thanks to NH. I expect nothing less than another disppointing
Cont… offseason from the Pirates.
Jung Ho Kang is the ultimate winner of the Pirates in 2017. His story is unmatched and he will no-doubt drink soju until the cows come home because of what he has done in the offseason. Great way make the most of an opportunity!
going from the cubs to the bucs…ouch
Is it safe to say Glasgow is a complete bust.
yes
Not at all. There are plenty examples of pitchers doing bad in first few yrs before catching fire. Scherzer, Arrieta, Kluber were all 28 yrs old by the time they figures it out. Hes got the stuff, if he can find it, he might be the next cy young winner
Kang needs at least one more year in North Korea.
*South Korea
LOL…the above are examples of the “fans” who feel they “deserve” a championship…but that mean old evil cheap owner won’t spend millions and millions out of his own pocket to give these “great” “fans” the championship they so “deserve”.
They should have given Ray Searage a 20 year extension.
Tyler Glasnow needs to see Marc-Andre Fleury’s shrink. He’s scared ****less of big league hitters, even though his stuff is great.
He’s a Xanax away from being an impact pitcher.
To be fair, the Pirates ownership has been disappointing their fans for decades with their unwillingness to spend. Do I think the Pirates “deserve” a championship?…no. But I do think the ownership should at least be willing to spend a little in order to put a competitive product on the field.
I have to agree with both of your points. It’s not always about the unwillingness to spend money that causes a down year. Smart trades and drafting mean much more. Glasnows arm is fine. Once he mentally settles down…if ever….then we’ll see the potential. I’m liking the starters…not the offense. Name one Pirate who overachieved…not one.
Lol
Lets us not forget about how they let Nicasio walk from the Phillies to the Cardinals… that was yet another winner move by NH! They need to put HIM on waivers!!!
#4MoreYears