In our daily Wake-Up Call, we get you ready for the day with a complete look at all things Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pittsburgh Pirates fans saw an update yesterday that may portend to how the team looks immediately following Spring Training.
Jung Ho Kang appeared in court in his native South Korea yesterday to answer to the DUI charge levied against him as a result of an accident back on December 2nd. Kang plead guilty, The Post-Gazette has the details.
Kang was very contrite during the proceedings.
“If I can get one last chance, I will become an exemplary player to earn respect from everyone.” Kang said as originally told to Yonhap News.
None of this is surprising, as this scenario is almost exactly how many expected the situation to turn out. Kang will be sentenced in Korea on March 3rd. It is expected that Major League Baseball will render any punitive action after the courts in Korea have had their say, and a suspension is likely.
Regardless of where you fall on this specific issue, the Pittsburgh Pirates will have to continue on as if Kang will not be with the team when camp breaks. They certainly have the personnel to withstand a shorter absence from their projected starting third baseman, but any extended absence – however unlikely – would be a big blow to the club.
Huntington Talks Bullpen
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington joined our friend David Todd on ESPN Radio Pittsburgh yesterday. It was a wide-ranging discussion that saw Huntington a bit more open than usual.
The link to the full interview is below, but one particular question had a particularly telling answer.
When Todd asked Huntington if manager Clint Hurdle would get creative with his bullpen, perhaps utilizing relievers such as Tony Watson and Juan Nicasio in new rules, Huntington offered an interesting answer.
After effusively praising Watson and newcomer Daniel Hudson, Huntington commented “those two are as set as set can be,” meaning Watson would continue to close with Hudson performing as the primary setup man. “The others [Bullpen arms] are transitional.” he would conclude.
The season hasn’t even begun. Things can certainly change. But Hurdle’s ability to be flexible when it comes to bullpen usage could propel this team to a rebound. While many would argue that Watson should have already been removed from the closer’s role, the interchangeability of the bullpen pieces before the eighth and ninth innings could do wonders for the unit’s effectiveness overall.
Click here to listen to the full interview over at ESPN Radio Pittsburgh.
Download Our Mobile Apps
The introduction of our new FREE Mobile Apps gets fans closer to their favorite Pittsburgh Pirates coverage than ever before. Click here to learn about some of the features of our new app – or, if you just can’t wait, click the corresponding app store for your device and grab your copy now.
Baseball Talk on the Web
- ICYMI, former Pittsburgh Pirates closer and fan favorite Joel Hanrahan will serve as a coach for the Pirates Short-Season Single-A affiliate West Virginia Black Bears.
- The Colorado Rockies are a team on the rise, but they are in no hurry to extend Carlos Gonzalez.
- Jeff Passan explores new medical treatments that MLB teams are researching and implementing.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
