With Opening Day being merely days away, the Pirates made some savvy front office moves. In a matter of one day, the Pirates General Manager, Neal Huntington, took it upon himself to lock up another big player on the Pirates. Starling Marte, the Pirates sterling outfielder, who came off a solid performance as the club’s lead off hitter, signed a six-year $31 million contract.
Marte was scratched from the game against the Minnesota Twins as a healthy scratch, presumed to be because of negotiating his new deal. Last year, Marte played in 135 games, had a .280 batting average, stole 41 bases, and added some power to the top of the lineup, hitting 12 home runs.
Marte’s contract is also team friendly which gives the Pirates more flexible options in signing and adding new players. In addition to Marte signing, the Pirates added another pitcher, former Twins and Phillies starting pitcher Vance Worley. Worley, who was traded to the Twins last year for Ben Revere, was the Twins’ Opening Day starter last season. He struggled immensely on the Twins’ staff with an ERA of 7.21 and a 1-5 record.
With question marks surrounding Edinson Volquez this Spring Training, the Pirates sought to get insurance with a former NL pitcher who was 11-3 with a 3.01 ERA NL totals. Ultimately, the Pirates are still trying to attract more players to their franchise now that Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte are signed up to 2018.
“This is huge (for the Pirates),” Opening Day starter Francisco Liriano commented on the signing of Marte. “Watching them (McCutchen and Marte) making plays in the outfield is something special.”
I don’t think the Pirate faithful can agree more.