Extend McCutchen now

By Joe Starkey

http://triblive.com/sports/

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, 8:57 p.m.

 

A topic floating around baseball these days: Who's gonna be the first $500 million player?

It could be Bryce Harper, scheduled to hit free agency in 2018. It won't be Andrew McCutchen.

Cutch missed the Silly Money Boat back in spring training of 2012 when he sold his prime baseball years to the Pirates at the bargain-basement rate of $66.25 million over seven years. That's if you include the team option for 2018, when McCutchen will be 31 (he turns 32 on Oct. 10 of that year).

McCutchen's contract has become one of the “team-friendliest” in all of sports. His salary of $13,208,333 ranked 76th in baseball last season, just ahead of Matt Harrison's and just behind Ervin Santana's.

Players now are making as much as $25 million to $30 million a season — and as Mike Tomlin might say, the arrow is pointed up.

The question regarding McCutchen would appear to be two-fold: Will the Pirates merely try to make him their first $100 million player, and would he settle for way less than market value again?

I asked McCutchen, at PirateFest on Saturday, if he felt the team would try to keep him long-term.

“I mean, we'll see,” he said. “This is still a place I do want to be. I love it here. If that's something they can do, then that's something they can do. I really can't answer from their end. But we'll see what happens in the future.”

OK, so if Jason Heyward is worth $184 million (and he went below-market to sign with the Cubs), what is McCutchen worth?

“I don't know,” McCutchen said. “I don't know what I'm worth. I don't define my worth in money.”

That answer must light Bob Nutting's being like a Christmas tree.

The natural follow-up, which I did not think to ask, should have been: “Does that mean you'd be willing to stick around and play on another way-below-market deal?”

McCutchen just might. It wouldn't shock me.

From the Pirates' perspective, it doesn't make sense to try to sign McCutchen for life. You don't pay a 37-year-old outfielder $20 million a season.

It does make sense, however, on a lot of levels, to try to extend McCutchen right now. He has three years left on his deal, including the team option. The Pirates should tear up those years and add three more, taking McCutchen through his age-34 season, at which point outfielders can still be plenty productive (Carlos Beltran being a prime example).

Something in the realm of a six-year, $120 million offer seems reasonable. If McCutchen balks, live with it. The Pirates could still choose to keep him through the life of his deal. Which is to say, through the best years of his career.

But they should at least make a genuine effort to extend him.

There is a public-relations angle to this, as well. Many fans are smarting from the Neil Walker trade. The Pirates would do a world of good to lock up their best player, who also happens to be their best marketing tool, the face of the franchise and one of the faces of the sport.

It was McCutchen, even more than hometown hero Walker, who personified the Pirates' rise from ashes. And unlike Walker, McCutchen hasn't missed dozens of games on account of injury in recent years.

In fact, McCutchen has had just one disabled-list stint in seven years, and that was the byproduct of getting hit by a pitch.

There is every reason to believe McCutchen would remain a productive player well into his 30s, especially with a move to a corner outfield spot.

Extend him now. Or at least test the theory that he isn't dying to find out what some other team might pay him.

Joe Starkey co-hosts a show 2 to 6 p.m. weekdays on 93.7 FM. Reach him at jraystarkey@gmail.com.

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Pirates blew it with The Pittsburgh Kid

By Rob Rossi

Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, 10:18 p.m.Updated 9 hours ago

 

Christopher Horner | Trib Total Media

Second baseman Neil Walker delivers his game jersey to Pirates fan Michael Tulley of Hampton after defeating the Reds on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, at PNC Park.

Neil Walker showed up until he was shipped out. It's a Pittsburgh thing.

And Walker actually was a Pittsburgh kid. Like a lot of us, he grew up watching Pittsburgh being a great place to be from.

Not the place all Pittsburghers could be.

Businesses betraying Pittsburghers is nothing new. Wish the Pirates weren't one of those businesses, though.

A betrayal is the only way the Pirates' handling of Walker should be viewed by the Pittsburghers who faithfully supported the Pittsburgh Baseball Club's many lows and only recent highs.

Walker was Pittsburghers' Pirate.

To not recognize that — and to fail to capitalize on the long-term benefit of making The Pittsburgh Kid a Pirate King — shows a staggering lack of appreciation by Pirates owner Bob Nutting for what makes Pittsburgh great.

Pittsburghers make Pittsburgh great.

Walker is a Pittsburgher, so Nutting should have overruled general manager Neal Huntington and nixed the “true baseball move” the Pirates issued a news release about Wednesday afternoon.

Good luck to Jonathon Niese, a left-hander who the news released noted has notched more “quality starts” than all but six National League pitchers over the past four seasons.

Allowing three earned runs over six innings is a quality start. Those are nice and all, but ...

Hey, Pirates, how about a quality keep?

Walker wasn't just somebody who tugged at our parochial heart strings. He was somebody Pittsburghers could connect to better days that once seemed to only exist in the Pirates' past.

He went to games at Three Rivers Stadium. So did we.

But we weren't taught to play second base by Bill Mazeroski. Nor had Roberto Clemente told our dad to stay off his ill-fated flight on New Year's Eve in 1972.

Sure, some of us wore the No. 18, just like Andy Van Slyke.

Walker wore it the way Van Slyke did — for the Pirates.

Didn't see any of that mentioned in the news release.

Did see, though, Pirates president Frank Coonelly saying Walker “always represented his hometown team with pride and passion.”

He sure did.

How dare he expect at least one legitimate offer to keep living the only way he knew how until Wednesday.

With “pride.” With “passion.” Always, unapologetically, for the “Pirates.”

Those three words in quotes are painted on a lot of walls at PNC Park.

It's only paint. And paint can be removed.

That's what happened with the way the Walker situation was handled. He was forced to spend a last season pretending to smile while knowing a divorce loomed.

“We greatly appreciate Neil and all he has done for our club, on and off the field,” Coonelly said.

Had to say something.

Nutting should have said something a year ago this time, when the Pirates-Walker relationship could have been salvaged by the big boss. A year later, that relationship ended with a piece of paper that didn't include one word from the big boss.

Walker deserved better.

Any Pittsburgher would from the owner of Pittsburgh's oldest sports team.

Nutting is a good owner. He has given power to the right people. Coonelly is an underappreciated businessman.

Huntington is one of baseball's best architects.

The Nutting-Coonelly-Huntington power trio has transformed a moribund franchise into one that was on the verge of excellence only a couple of months ago.

But last week, the Pirates parted with Pedro Alvarez's power bat for a return of nothing. Walker went for a mid-rotation replacement for J.A. Happ and A.J. Burnett.

Is closer Mark Melancon sticking around past the weekend's PirateFest?

In early October, before one of his last home games for his hometown team, Walker and I mused about changes we anticipated coming soon to the Pirates' clubhouse. At one point, he looked to his right and me to my left, way down at the end where a certain somebody was sitting.

I requested that Walker take off his Pirates cap and put on his Pittsburgher hat before answering a question.

What happens with him?

“Can't lose that guy,” Walker said. “He's the best thing to happen here in — what? — a quarter century?

“They have to keep him at any cost. If they don't, they'll lose all of Pittsburgh.”

The Pirates blew it with The Pittsburgh Kid.

They better heed his parting words about Andrew McCutchen.

Rob Rossi is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at rrossi@tribweb.com or via Twitter @RobRossi_Trib.

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In Alvarez, Pirates GM Huntington's 1st call turns into his toughest cut

By Rob Biertempfel

http://triblive.com/sports/

Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, 9:27 p.m.

 

(Getty Images)

Pedro Alvarez left Pittsburgh quicker than anyone would have expected seven years ago when the Pirates drafted him second overall with hopes he would become a franchise cornerstone.

On Wednesday, the Pirates made Alvarez a free agent a year ahead of schedule by not tendering him a contract for 2016 — letting him walk away without receiving compensation.

The enigmatic infielder played parts of six seasons with the Pirates, for whom he unleashed costly, errant throws almost as frequently as he clubbed titanic home runs.

As Alvarez, 28, heads into the next chapter of his career, it's clear he never fully tapped his potential with the Pirates.

“My mistake was bringing him to the big leagues before he was ready,” general manager Neal Huntington said late Wednesday night, minutes after the club officially severed ties with Alvarez. “That was my mistake. In hindsight, giving him additional time in the minors probably would have been very beneficial. Things might have been different.”

The Pirates hired Huntington in November 2007 and tasked the former Cleveland Indians advance scout with turning around a franchise that had been a loser for more than a decade. Seven months later, Alvarez became the first player Huntington drafted.

At Vanderbilt, they called him “El Toro” — the bull. With a strapping frame and quick wrists, Alvarez captivated scouts by clouting towering home runs. Despite his bulky size, he was an adequate third baseman, although some evaluators predicted he eventually would have to move across the diamond.

During the lean seasons before Huntington took over, the Pirates had plenty of high draft picks. With a few exceptions — such as Andrew McCutchen, a first-rounder in 2005 — the team bypassed elite talent and instead chose players who were willing to sign for lower dollars.

By selecting Alvarez, who is represented by hard-line agent Scott Boras, Huntington and team president Frank Coonelly sent a message that the Pirates had stepped up their tactics.

From the start, though, Alvarez seemed to be a poor fit. He agreed to a deal with a $6 million bonus minutes before the midnight Aug. 15 deadline but did not immediately sign the contract. The Pirates put him on the restricted list, and the players' union responded by filing a grievance.

On Sept. 22, 2008, Alvarez finally inked his name on a renegotiated, four-year contract that included a $6.35 million bonus.

The Pirates lost 95 games in 2008, then dropped 99 the following season. In 2010, with the club on its way to a 100-loss season, there was enormous pressure on the front office to bring up its prized prospect.

After playing less than 1 1⁄2 seasons in the minors, Alvarez made his Pirates debut June 16, 2010. He went on to hit .256 with 16 home runs and 119 strikeouts in 347 at-bats.

In 2013, Alvarez hit 36 homers to share the National League crown with Paul Goldschmidt of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Alvarez also led the NL with 186 strikeouts and made 27 errors at third base.

Late in the 2014 season, Alvarez's poor defense forced him out of the everyday lineup. He later was switched to first base but played only five games there before going down with a season-ending foot injury.

Alvarez began this past season as the starting first baseman. Although he batted .243 — his best average since 2012 — with 27 homers, his 23 errors were twice as many as any other first baseman in the majors. He had a 0.1 wins above replacement rating, essentially the equivalent of a Triple-A call-up.

In the late innings of close games, manager Clint Hurdle routinely replaced Alvarez with Sean Rodriguez.

Alvarez was benched for the NL wild-card game against the Chicago Cubs. He entered as a pinch hitter in the third inning with the Pirates down by three runs. Alvarez struck out. The Cubs went on to win 4-0.

In his final year of arbitration eligibility, Alvarez was pegged to make $8 million next season. Huntington studied the analytics and concluded the budget-minded Pirates could not pay so much for Alvarez's meager production.

“As is the case every offseason, there are challenging decisions we have to make,” Huntington said. “Certainly, we'll miss his power. But this is an opportunity for us to utilize dollars that we would have (spent on Alvarez) to improve our club, whether it's at first base or in the pitching staff or at another spot.”

Huntington called Alvarez on Wednesday afternoon and told him that, barring a last-minute trade, Alvarez would be non-tendered. Alvarez was not bitter and thanked Huntington for the opportunity.

“We made every effort to trade him,” Huntington said.

The problem was, other clubs had practically no incentive to swap players or prospects for Alvarez.

“The Pirates were asking for a lot (in return),” Boras said. “But other teams also knew they'd only be getting Pedro for a year before he became a free agent. When a player's in free agency, it's a different situation because (teams) are not giving anything up to get him.”

The optimal time to move Alvarez would have been after the 2013 season, when he was at the height of his home run prowess. Huntington admitted he mulled trading Alvarez before this year but said he never made a strong push.

“There were more reports of us actively moving him than was the reality,” Huntington said.

Why did the Pirates hang on to Alvarez as his value as a trade chip evaporated? The Pirates were at the start of a three-year run of postseason appearances in 2013, and the team hoped Alvarez would break out of his fielding funk and become even more valuable.

It's rarely an easy call to give up on a player, especially one who was a high-profile pick.

Some folks in PNC Park's front offices still are haunted by Jose Bautista — one of the few major gaffes by the current executive group. In August 2007, the Pirates dealt Bautista, then a 27-year-old third baseman, to the Toronto Blue Jays for a backup catcher. Bautista evolved into one of the most feared sluggers in the American League.

This past season, Alvarez became the 54th Opening Day first baseman in the Pirates' 129-year history. Who's next? It could be Michael Morse, an 11-year veteran who was acquired in July and is signed for 2016.

“He is not far removed from a 20-plus home runs season in the big leagues,” Huntington said of Morse, who last season hit a combined .231 with five homers for the Pirates and Miami Marlins.

Huntington also will explore the free agent crop (which has few standout first basemen this year) and mull trade possibilities. MLB's annual winter meetings, where such deals often are struck, begin Monday in Nashville, Tenn.

Rob Biertempfel is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at rbiertempfel@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BiertempfelTrib.

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Baseball should retire Roberto Clemente's No. 21

By Rob Rossi

http://triblive.com/sports/

Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, 9:24 p.m.

 

Baseball is sending the Pirates to Puerto Rico to play on Roberto Clemente Day.

That is a good call by commissioner Rob Manfred. It should be only the beginning to a great plan.

Here's the plan, Mr. Commissioner.

You mandate that for the first of two games between the Pirates and Marlins on May 30 in San Juan, everybody in uniform wears No. 21. Then, after Roberto Clemente Jr., throws out the ceremonial first pitch at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, you command everybody to “take off those jerseys.”

And then you turn to Vera Clemente and say, “Nobody will ever wear your husband's number again.”

A few days later at PNC Park, the Clemente family finds the Pirates have cut No. 21 into the right-field grass. Owner Bob Nutting tells them the grass will look that way forever.

Sounds perfect, doesn't it, Mr. Commissioner?

Actually, it's a sound that is long overdue. Your predecessor, Bud Selig, missed two obvious opportunities to retire the number of the Pittsburgh baseball legend who is a Latin American icon.

The 1994 All-Star Game was at Three Rivers Stadium, where Roberto Clemente recorded his 3,000th (and final) hit. That was Strike 1.

The 2006 All-Star Game was at PNC Park, where baseball's best view includes the striking yellow bridge renamed in Clemente's honor. That was Strike 2.

Don't whiff, Mr. Commissioner.

There's a fat, juicy fastball coming. If you can't hit it over the fence, at least rip it into a gap like “The Great One” did so often during 18 sensational seasons.

The upcoming summer represents the 50th anniversary of Clemente's MVP season. It was one of his many firsts for the Latin American community.

In 1960, he became that community's first regular position player for a World Series champion. In 1971, he became that community's first World Series MVP. In 1973, he became that community's first Baseball Hall of Famer.

If you're wondering what all those firsts mean now, take a look at your latest Opening Day, Mr. Commissioner.

Latin Americans made up 29.3 percent of players on major league rosters.

The percentage of Latin Americans on Opening Day rosters actually increased from 2014 to '15. There was a decrease in the percentage of whites, blacks and Asians.

A study authored annually by noted expert on sports racial equality, Richard Lapchick, suggests the National Pastime isn't a passion anymore for an awful lot of people.

Latin Americans live and breathe baseball.

Latin Americans also are breathing life into baseball.

No. 21 should be retired for Latin Americans, just like baseball retired Jackie Robinson's No. 42 for black Americans.

I never thought any number should be universally retired until Thursday. But when baseball announced the Pirates-Marlins games in Puerto Rico, my thoughts steered toward what might happen when a child asks his parents why the number of a Dodgers' player is retired in Pittsburgh.

I also thought of that famous saying about baseball, apple pie and America.

Maybe it needs said more often why apple pie and Major League Baseball weren't always available to all Americans.

If sports can keep us talking, sports will have served a greater purpose. By retiring Robinson's No. 42, baseball provided a gateway into conversations for generations of Americans who might not believe stories they need to hear.

I'm part of a generation of Pittsburgh kids who never watched Clemente play for the Pirates. We've all heard the stories, and every version of Clemente's ends the same way.

The baseball player who could do anything and had everything died trying to deliver supplies to victims of an earthquake.

The 50th anniversary of Clemente's MVP should be the year we have a conversation about what truly makes a man “valuable.”

Even timeless stories need to keep being told, Mr. Commissioner.

Retire No. 21.

There will never be a day at the ballpark that isn't made better by talking about Roberto Clemente Walker.

Rob Rossi is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at rrossi@tribweb.com or via Twitter @RobRossi_Trib.

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Pirates' Marte wins first Gold Glove award

By Rob Biertempfel

http://triblive.com/sports/

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, 8:06 p.m.

May 12, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte (6) has a laugh during postage handshakes after win against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Pirates defeated the Phillies, 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports  

When Starling Marte collected his first Gold Glove Award on Tuesday night, it confirmed what Pirates fans already know: Marte is the finest left fielder in the National League — and arguably the best outfielder in the majors.

Marte, 27, was a finalist for the award in each of the past two seasons. This year, he bested Christian Yelich of the Miami Marlins and Justin Upton of the San Diego Padres to win the honor.

Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole and center fielder Andrew McCutchen finished as runners-up at their respective positions.

A.J. Pollock of the Arizona Diamondbacks won the Gold Glove for NL center fielders. Zack Greinke of the Los Angeles Dodgers won the pitchers' award.

With Marte, McCutchen and right fielder Gregory Polanco, the Pirates boast a top-flight defensive outfield.

“We know how good we are out there,” Marte said during this season. “We hear it from time to time from other players. We make it hard for the hitters because they know we can run and catch every ball … and we can throw, too. Even when they think we can't make a play, we'll still make it.”

Making just one error in 196 chances, Marte's .995 fielding percentage was tops among NL left fielders. He also led NL outfielders with 16 assists, the most by a Pirates outfielder since Jose Guillen had 16 in 1998.

Marte's 24 defensive runs saved was the most by any left fielder this season, according to Baseball Info Solutions. The metric takes into account a fielder's range, arm strength, accuracy and general ability.

Yelich ranked third in the NL with 13 DRS; Upton was 11th with eight.

Marte also topped left fielders with an outfield arm runs above average rating of eight. This metric takes into account baserunner kills and baserunner advances.

Marte is the eighth Pirates outfielder to win a Gold Glove. Roberto Clemente earned 12 of them from 1961 to 1972. Andy Van Slyke won five, and Barry Bonds and Dave Parker won three apiece.

Single-time winners are McCutchen (2012), Nate McLouth (2008) and Bill Virdon (1962).

Three Pirates pitchers — Harvey Haddix (1959-60), Rick Reuschel (1985) and Bobby Shantz (1961) — also won the award.

Other Pirates winners are Bill Mazeroski (eight), Tony Pena (three), Gene Alley (two), Jay Bell, Mike LaValliere and Jose Lind (one apiece).

KANG UP FOR TOP ROOKIE

Infielder Jung Ho Kang is among the top three vote-getters for the NL Rookie of the Year Award.

The other two finalists are Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs and Matt Duffy of the San Francisco Giants. The winner will be announced Monday.

Kang batted .287 with an .816 OPS before sustaining a season-ending knee injury in mid-September.

Rob Biertempfel is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at rbiertempfel@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BiertempfelTrib.

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McCutchen named Clemente Award winner

By Adam Berry / MLB.com | @adamdberry | October 30th, 2015 

http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=pit

PITTSBURGH -- Andrew McCutchen's baseball career has been full of awards and accolades, but the honor he received Friday resonated in a special way for the Pirates' star center fielder.

McCutchen was named the winner of the 2015 Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet before Game 3 of the World Series at Citi Field, an honor named after the iconic Pirates outfielder for his positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement.

• All-time Clemente Award winners

"It means a lot. I feel like it means a bit more to me, just because of it being Roberto Clemente and him playing for the Pirates, wearing the same uniform," McCutchen said Friday. "It just shows that I'm moving in the right direction as far as being able to do the things that I want to do off the baseball field. Just getting a prestigious award like this is very humbling."

McCutchen is the second Pirates player to win the Clemente Award; the first was Willie Stargell in 1974. The award is a tribute to Clemente's achievements and character, as well as a recognition of those who reflect them today.

For McCutchen, the continued association with Clemente is an honor greater than his 2013 National League MVP Award trophy, the five All-Star nods or any of his previous accolades.

"Definitely at the top," McCutchen said. "That's for sure."

McCutchen, 29, was selected from a list of 30 nominees -- one from each club -- by a panel of dignitaries that included Commissioner Rob Manfred and Vera Clemente, the wife of Roberto and an MLB Goodwill Ambassador.

Clemente, a Hall of Famer and 15-time All-Star, died in a plane crash on New Year's Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

"I am very happy that you are part of this family, too, and from this family of award winners," Vera Clemente said to McCutchen at Citi Field. "I know Roberto would be very happy to see a Pirate player being on his team."

McCutchen is actively involved with a number of community and nonprofit organizations in Pittsburgh and in Bradenton, Fla., the Pirates' Spring Training home.

He and Pirates Charities founded "Cutch's Crew," his signature program, in 2010 to mentor Pittsburgh's inner-city youth baseball players and at-risk children. He also supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation, the Homeless Children's Education Fund, the Light of Life Rescue Mission and Habitat for Humanity, among others.

"Andrew always makes it a priority to be a positive impact in our community, the very same way that Roberto Clemente once did," said Pirates chairman Bob Nutting, who was in New York on Friday to support McCutchen. "Having a Pirates player recognized for carrying on Clemente's legacy of giving back makes this extra special."

McCutchen, the Pirates' franchise player and one of baseball's most recognizable stars, does not draw much attention to his charitable efforts. Still, his giving spirit is hard to hide.

Several times this season, from McKechnie Field in Bradenton to PNC Park in Pittsburgh, McCutchen welcomed children from the Make-A Wish Foundation to spend the day with him. When he cut off his signature dreadlocks this spring, he auctioned them off and gave the proceeds to charity. This week, he provided Halloween costumes for patients at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh so they could go trick-or-treating.

McCutchen flew to New York City on Friday to accept the award. Before heading to the ballpark, however, he and Manfred visited patients in a cancer ward at Mount Sinai Hospital.

"Those sorts of activities build the kind of bond that's so crucial to growing our game over the long haul," Manfred said. "And it's especially important, in addition to giving his time, he goes out on the field and is one of the best players in the game."

Even when he's not doing community work, McCutchen has found ways to give back. One of the most enduring images of the entire season came just after the final out of a game in San Diego. McCutchen ran back to the outfield wall and handed his batting gloves to a pair of kids decked out in Pirates gear, a small but meaningful gesture that won't soon be forgotten.

"You're just trying to make a difference," he said. "Baseball is a great sport and has blessed me a lot. I'm just trying to do my best to give back."

During his time in Pittsburgh, McCutchen has spoken to plenty of people who knew Clemente. Through those conversations, McCutchen has learned why Clemente still means so much to this city and to baseball. McCutchen has been inspired to create a similar legacy of his own.

"The thing is, you never hear a story about how he played the game. You always hear about how great of a person he is," McCutchen said. "I feel like what was most important to Clemente was helping others. You can see it through other people.

"That definitely made a big impact on me. That's how you want to be remembered."

Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

http://m.pirates.mlb.com/news/article/156011020/pirates-andrew-mccutchen-wins-clemente-award

Pirates, GM Neal Huntington face a busy off-season

By John Perrotto Times MLB Correspondent

http://www.timesonline.com/sports/

October 10, 2015

Neil Walker (Getty Images)

Neal Huntington didn’t have very much time to mourn the end of the Pirates’ season in the National League wild card game.

The Prates lost to the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night, their postseason run lasting one night following a regular season in which they went 98-64 for the second-best record in the major leagues.

By Thursday, Huntington was already getting started on what it likely to be the busiest offseason of his eight-year tenure as general manager as the Pirates have eight players who can become free agents in November and 12 more who will be eligible for salary arbitration.

Two of the free agents have announced their retirement --- right-hander A.J. Burnett and third baseman Aramis Ramirez --- and first baseman Corey Hart says he is also leaning strongly in that direction.

Huntington says the Pirates have at least some interest in retaining the other five --- left-handed starter A.J. Happ, left-handed reliever Antonio Bastardo, right-handed relievers Joe Blanton and Joakim Soria and utility player Sean Rodriguez.

Happ is at that top of that list after going 7-2 with a 1.85 ERA in 11 starts after being acquired July 31 from the Seattle Mariners in a trade, especially with the need for a starting pitcher following Burnett’s retirement.

They would like to re-sign Happ and also add another free agent starter on a buy-low contract. Right-handers Doug Fister and Mat Latos will be two of their targets as both look to rebuild their value after subpar seasons.

Fister, 31, was 5-7 with a 4.19 ERA in 25 games, including 15 starts, for the Washington Nationals this year. Latos, 27, was a combined 4-10 with a 4.95 ERA in 24 games, including 21 starts, for the Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels.

Bastardo was a solid second left-hander in the bullpen behind Tony Watson, going 4-1 with a 2.98 ERA in 66 games while Blanton was 5-0 with a 1.57 ERA in 21 games after being acquired July 30 from the Kansas City Royals in a cash transaction. Both should be within the Pirates’ budget.

Soria, though, is looking for an opportunity to close after converting 23 of 26 saves this season for the Detroit Tigers before being traded to the Pirates on July 30. In 29 games with the Pirates, Soria was 0-0 with one save and a 2.03 ERA.

The Pirates value Rodriguez for his versatility and defense, even starting him at first base in the wild card game because of his glove. He hit .246 with four home runs in 139 games.

The three biggest arbitration cases involve closer Mark Melancon, second baseman Neil Walker and first baseman Pedro Alvarez. The thrifty Pirates may have a hard time keeping all three players as Melancon and Walker are likely to gain salaries of $10 million or more and Alvarez should reach $8 million.

Melancon set a club record with 51 saves in 53 opportunities while going 3-2 with a 2.23 ERA in 78 games. Huntington has been adept at building bullpens on the cheap over the years and may not want to pay an eight-figure salary to a closer.

Walker hit .269 with 16 home runs in 151 games and is a steady presence both on and off the field. However, the Pirates also have infield options as they can play Jung Ho Kang at third base and move Josh Harrison to second to take Walker’s place.

Alvarez led the team with 27 home runs but also topped all major league first basemen with 23 errors while hitting .243 in 150 games. The Pirates have a veteran first baseman under contract for next season in Michael Morse, which would seemingly make Alvarez expendable.

The rest of the arbitration-eligible players will still have affordable salaries --- Watson, left-handed starter Jeff Locke, right-handed swingman Vance Worley, right-handed reliever Jared Hughes, catchers Francisco Cervelli and Chris Stewart, first baseman Travis Ishikawa, shortstop Jordy Mercer and outfielder Travis Snider.

Yet the only locks to return among that group are Watson, Hughes, Cervelli and Mercer.

Pirates say goodbye to veteran leaders Burnett, Ramirez

By Bill West

http://triblive.com/sports/

Friday, Oct. 9, 2015, 9:51 p.m.

Oct 4, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates president Frank Coonelly (L) and owner Robert Nutting (RC) present third baseman Aramis Ramirez (17) and starting pitcher A.J. Burnett (34) with gifts before the Pirates play the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park. Both Ramirez and Burnett have announced this is their final season. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

A.J. Burnett and Aramis Ramirez responded to their shared set-to-retire recognition ceremony, held before the Pirates' final regular-season game last Sunday at PNC Park, the way that came naturally to each.

“I love every one of you, and that's why I came back,” Burnett, flanked by his family, announced to the crowd. Then he lingered on the field a bit longer to chat with Pirates executives Bob Nutting and Frank Coonelly.

Ramirez, stoic in his solitude, remained quiet and headed back to the dugout when Burnett finished his speech.

They went about their business differently. But the two veterans, whose careers ended with Wednesday's wild-card loss to the Chicago Cubs, served as trusted advisers to teammates from differing sects within the clubhouse.

Burnett, 38, whose influence became apparent when he joined the Pirates in 2012 and remained obvious when he returned in 2015 after one year away, used sneers and smiles to enliven a pitching rotation in search of personality.

Ramirez, 37, shared the secrets to career longevity with a crop of young, impressionable players from his home country, the Dominican Republic, which has produced only six players who appeared in more games than Ramirez (2,194). Acquired via a trade in July, he helped them better understand the state of baseball and of the Pirates, who traded him to the Cubs as a promising 25-year-old to solve payroll problems in 2003.

“He's pouring out when guys are willing to listen,” manager Clint Hurdle said of Ramirez. “He's not a self promoter. He's not that guy that's probably going to grab the flag and run to the front. … We've got guys that'll get to the front, and we've got other guys that don't need to get to the front, because you need to have protection in other areas as well.”

Ramirez recognized the abundance of Dominican talent among his Pirates teammates when he arrived in July. He waited for Gregory Polanco, Starling Marte and others to approach him with questions.

“I try to help them as much as I can, just like some guys did when I came up,” Ramirez said. “I don't care if you've been here one year or 20 years. You're a man, and I respect you the same.”

Respect for Ramirez increased after the 18-year veteran, strictly a third baseman throughout his career, agreed to start at first base for the Pirates four times in September.

“It impacted me at the beginning because I didn't think he was going to agree, but he took it nice and easy,” reliever Arquimedes Caminero said. “He's a great guy. You can talk to him, and he's normal like we are. Sometimes you look at somebody like that, and you don't think they're going to talk to you.”

Almost as important as Ramirez's words of advice were his actions. Few Pirates savored batting practice swings more than him.

“He wanted to take like five, six at-bats before a game,” Polanco said. “I was surprised by that. (But) I want to do more like him, because he's been doing this for years. … That's the dream for all of us, to stay here for a long time, as long as we can.”

Those who sought Ramirez often could find him seated in front of his locker hours before games.

To find Burnett before a game usually required more exploring as the 17-year veteran maintained a busy-body routine. But even his locker, more orderly and decorated than any other in the home clubhouse, made a statement.

“That's my office,” Burnett said. “I don't want my office to look like a pigsty. Teammates walk through there. Media. Hall of Famers.”

Wednesday's loss necessitated the removal of Burnett's many mementos, which included a Pirates flag, pictures of his sons, two bottles of champagne, two pieces of Batman art, exotic beer labels, zombie-themed stickers and almost a dozen baseballs in individual cases, each of which marked a notable former player Burnett passed on the all-time strikeout leaders list this year.

At points throughout the year, his locker also showcased wristbands worn by Josh Harrison and Andrew McCutchen, Pirates bobbleheads and other giveaways, and covers of the team's annual media guides.

From his locker to his tattoos to his “Sit the (expletive) down” catchphrase, Burnett operated publicly in a way that bolstered the Pirates, even when his disposition sometimes led he and Hurdle to butt heads, as they did when Hurdle named Gerrit Cole the starter for the decisive fifth game in the 2013 National League Division Series.

“He is strong-willed,” Hurdle said. “We knew that coming in. That's part of what we thought would help us. … We needed the edge off the mound, more than anything.”

Jeff Locke, whose locker sat next to Burnett's, looked at his own stall, where two stickers remained from when Burnett used it in 2012 and '13. Locke had not personalized his space this year, nor had he kept it particularly neat and tidy. He shook his head.

“He's one of the personalities of this game of baseball that I think will be missed,” Locke said of Burnett. “I don't think a lot of guys in this game have personalities that really stand out. … There's a reason why other teams want guys like that. They help bring positive chemistry to the ball club.”

Bill West is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Reach him at wwest@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BWest_Trib.

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