Hurdle To Sign Pirates Extension

The Pirates are close to extending Clint Hurdle to a contract extension for 2014, with an option for 2015. He was entering the final year of the three-year deal, so the extension buys perceived stability for Hurdle. 

#13 Pirates Prospect - Alex Dickerson

Buried Treasure Top 30 Prospects
#13 - Alex Dickerson

Measurables: 6'3, 225
Bats: L, Throws: L
Position: 1B
Acquired: 3rd Round (91st overall), 2011
Bonus: $380,700
DOB: 5/26/1990
Buried Treasure 2012 Top 20: #13

In Defense of the Front Office

The Pittsburgh Pirates haven't completed a season with a winning record in two decades.  While all of that isn't on current general manager Neal Huntington's hands, a good chunk - arguably one-fourth - of it is.  Therefore, to claim Huntington is or should be immune from intense criticism would be asinine. That's undeniable.

All that hashed out, I personally believe Neal Huntington, and the entire front office he has assembled, have the Pirates on the right track. In addition, I think there is evidence indicating such a statement is true.  My argument consists of several factors, broken down piece-by-piece in the paragraphs below.

Neal Huntington and the Story of Brad Hawpe

Free Draft Pick

I'm an unabashed supporter of Neal Huntington. I believe he should and hope he is the Pirates General Manager for several years to come.  That said, I do not believe that he's without fault.  In fact, he's made plenty of poor moves in his tenure with the Pirates.  He non-tendered Matt Capps who was traded for top prospect Wilson Ramos months later.  The 2009 draft has been a disaster.  His intentions and logic may have been right, but the results have been poor.  Adam LaRoche was traded for Hunter Strickland and Argenis Diaz when his value couldn't be lower.  Huntington's major league free agent signings have been largely been disasters. That said, my biggest gripe with Huntington has been something he's failed to do.

Interest In Joel Hanrahan Finally Developing

Interest in Joel Hanrahan seemed to be limited at the Winter Meetings, with the rumor mill remaining quiet throughout, however the market for the current Pirates closer finally appears to be developing.  Check out details after the jump.

#7 Prospect - Tony Sanchez

Tony Sanchez, my #7 Pirates prospect, invokes painful memories of another catcher, Matt Wieters.  It's not as simple as they are both catchers or even that both play or played for the Pirates.  In fact, Wieters plays for the Baltimore Orioles, much to the chagrin of Pirates fans.  Wieters was considered a future star as a two-way Catcher coming out of Georgia Tech in 2007.  The Pirates had the opportunity to draft Wieters, but instead drafted pitcher Daniel Moskos, largely due to Wieters price tag.  That gaffe was seemingly the straw that broke the camel's back for general manager Dave Littlefield, who lost his job.