The franchise’s fourth-best season in a quarter century wasn’t good eno

PITTSBURGH (AP) —ugh for Pittsburgh Pirates president Frank Coonelly.While Coonelly pointed to Pittsburgh’s 82-79 finish in 2018 as a “move in the right direction Barry Bonds Jersey ,” he stressed it shouldn’t get confused with the ultimate final destination.“Nobody is satisfied with 82 wins in this organization,” Coonelly told fans during the team’s annual PiratesFest last month. “Everybody is committed to doing what we can to putting a World Series championship team on the field, and we do know that we can do it.”It’s the how that could be tricky.While St. Louis and Cincinnati made significant financial investments by adding proven major league talent to bolster its roster in their respective bids to chase down NL Central frontrunners Chicago and Milwaukee, the Pirates took a more fiscally cautious approach. They signed outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall to bridge the gap in right field until Gregory Polanco returns from shoulder surgery. Veteran left-handed pitcher Francisco Liriano agreed to a minor-league deal hoping to regain the form he showed while helping Pittsburgh reach the postseason from 2013-15. Middle infielder Erik Gonzalez arrived in a trade in mid-November and will get the first crack at taking over at shortstop after Jordy Mercer left in free agency.And that’s pretty much it.“I’d love it if we were in on (Bryce) Harper or (Manny) Machado just like everyone else,” starting pitcher Jameson Taillon said. “That’s just not realistic for us.”What Pittsburgh believes is realistic is continuing to develop the young core — particularly the starting rotation fronted by Taillon and Trevor Williams — that seemed to get better as 2018 wore on and hope the six weeks they’ll spend in Florida this spring plant the seeds for another massive step forward in 2019.Some things to look for when camp opens on Feb. 13:NEW LOOK: There’s a changing of the guard in the middle infield after the departures of Jordy Mercer and Josh Harrison. Gonzalez and Kevin Newman will compete for Mercer’s spot at shortstop while Adam Frazier’s role will evolve from utility player to starter at second base.ROOKIES TO WATCH: RHP Mitch Keller will get a look in spring training but likely needs more seasoning at Triple-A, where he struggled a bit after getting promoted from Double-A. SS Cole Tucker, a first-round pick in 2014, will start 2019 in Triple-A but has the speed (35 steals at Double-A in 2018) and athleticism to potentially provide a jolt sooner rather than later.THEY’RE SET: The top of the rotation is good to go. Taillon, Williams, Chris Archer and Joe Musgrove all posted ERAs of 4.30 or lower. The back end of the bullpen is also in good shape with Kyle Crick, Keone Kela setting up Felipe Vazquez.THEY’RE NOT: Shortstop is a serious question mark after the club opted not to re-sign the steady Mercer. Gonzalez has yet to play over 81 games in a season and Newman showed little offensively in an extended audition last September. 1B Josh Bell spent most of the offseason addressing the power drain he suffered in 2018 when his home run total dropped from 26 to 12. Third baseman Colin Moran proved durable while playing in 144 games but hit just 11 home runs. Pittsburgh brought back Jung Ho Kang hoping he can regain the form he showed while hitting a combined 36 home runs in 2015 and 2016 before his career was derailed by his DUI arrest in his native South Korea in late 2016.ON DECK: The Pirates will give the group trying to lock up the fifth spot in the rotation plenty of looks and the middle infield could provide the closest thing to intrigue while Williams hopes to show his otherworldly second half in 2018 — when he went 7-3 with a 1.30 ERA — was no fluke. Pittsburgh begins the regular season in Cincinnati on March 28 and hosts St. Louis in the home opener on April 1. Rockies news and links for February 12, 2019"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Scaling the RocksPebble ReportRockpileRockies Game ThreadsRockies Fan ExperienceRockpileNothing new behind the plateNew,85commentsRockies news and links for February 12 Madison Bumgarner Jersey , 2019MSTShareTweetShareShareNothing new behind the plateColorado Rockies: Lack of an upgrade at catcher spells doom for 2019? | Rox PilePitchers and catchers report this week, and the season is drawing near. All around the league, it’s been a quiet offseason, and fans are wondering what that will mean for 2019. Since the end of last season, Rockies fans have been waiting for a upgrade on the catcher position, but we’ve still got just Chris Iannetta and Tony Wolters. They both produced defensively, but struggled offensively. There were many opportunities for the Rockies to pick up a new catcher, like free agents Wilson Ramos and Kurt Suzuki. Former Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto also found himself at the center of Rockies speculation before ultimately signing with the Phillies. Despite not making any moves behind the plate, the Rockies still stand a chance to have a playoff-worthy season. Iannetta and Wolters both played well opposite the young pitching rotation, with Kyle Freeland and German Mrquez in particular. They may not be stellar hitters, but every now and again, Iannetta and Wolters can get hits when it counts. The Rockies missed out on getting a big name catcher, but if the two can get the job done Juan Marichal Jersey , if the young players can step up, and if pitching can find its groove, the Rockies might just find their way to playoff baseball again.Colorado Rockies: Potential surprises on the Opening Day roster | Rox PileAs we draw near to Opening Day, it seems like the roster is mostly set. However, there just might be a surprise or two. Harrison Musgrave is fighting for a spot on the mound. He did well in the 35 games we threw while filling in last year. Depending on how well Chris Rusin and Jack McGee do in spring training, he could make his way onto the Opening Day roster. Yency Almonte also showed promise in his 14 appearances, performing well under pressure. He’s a bit less likely to get the start, but who knows what spring training will bring. Pat Valaika is also something of a question mark. He made minimal impact in 2018. He still has plenty to offer as a versatile player, and if Ryan McMahon, Garrett Hampson, and Mark Reynolds have poor showings in the spring, he might just make it in. We’ll see who can step up and prove themselves in the next few weeks.Rockies spring training 2019 guide: Everything you need to know | Denver Post ($)After a long, slow offseason http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-evan-longoria-jersey , spring training is almost here. Catchers and pitchers report on Wednesday the 13th, followed by the rest of the squad the following Monday the 18th. The Rockies will play their first game against the Diamondbacks on the 23rd. Head over to this Denver Post article for previews, prospect guides, MLB rule changes, and more.Hot stove update: Spring training set to open with Bryce Harper and Manny Machado still unsigned | Denver Post ($)The offseason is winding down, and the major deals we’ve been expecting for Bryce Harper and Manny Machado have yet to occur. There’s just a standoff between agents and teams, and while teams are certainly interested, no deal have been made. The Giants are thinking of some kind of short-term deal, and the White Sox are looking to spend less than the $300 million they’re aiming for. Who knows, maybe the active Phillies with end up with the contract.