In 2021, the Milwaukee Brewers won first place in the NL Central, despite having the 19th best wOBA and the 23rd best wRC+ in baseball. They were eliminated by the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS in...
The Pittsburgh Pirates look like they need a day off. Fortunately for Pirates fans, Thursday's action will feature top prospects Paul Skenes and Bubba Chandler on the mound.
That might take the sting off the series sweep...
When the deadline for offering contracts passed last night, four new free agents were created. The Pirates offered contracts to pitcher Jeff Karstens and SS Ronny Cedeno, both as expected. But they elected not to tender contracts to pitchers Donnie Veal and Brian Burres, SS Argenis Diaz, and OF Lastings Milledge. Veal is still recovering from elbow surgery, and is expected to sign a minor league deal with the Pirates. Since he is going to have to spend some time in the minors when he returns anyway, this is not likely to affect his progress much. The other three are all free agents now.
Other notes: Former Pirate C Ronny Paulino was also non-tendered by the Marlins, and he also is now a free agent. Pittsburgh native INF Josh Wilson, who played for the Indy Indians in 2008, was resigned by the Mariners. (NOT Jack Wilson, who is also on the Mariners' roster.) OF Eric Hinske was signed as a free agent by the Braves. P Zach Duke signed a contract with the Diamondbacks, avoiding arbitration.
