The Pirates continued rebuilding their starting rotation over the weekend, agreeing to a minor league contract with veteran right-hander Chase Anderson. If he makes the team, Anderson would join a rotation that definitely will include Mitch Keller, newcomers Marco Gonzalez and Martin Perez, and may include some combination of Luis Ortiz, Roansy Contreras, Quinn Priester, and maybe even current Marlins pitcher Edward Cabrera, who has been rumored to be a trade target for general manager Ben Cherington.
Marco Gonzalez comes to the Pirates in an off-season trade with the Braves, who had just traded for him after he spent last season with Seattle. He was 4-1 with a 5.22 ERA for the Mariners before his season ended due to a nerve injury in his left forearm. He says he’s healthy now and he’s excited about becoming a Pirate.
On Pirates.com, Gonzalez said the Pirates have the team to make a move in the NL Central.
The left-hander, who is 61-47 with a 4.08 ERA in 10 seasons in the majors, says he is confident in his stuff on the mound, even with a fastball that doesn’t blow anyone away.
Position players are scheduled to report today for the first full-squad workout, but they’ve all been there a few days already. Andrew McCutchen took swings in the batting cage Saturday. He was the last of the currently-signed Pirates players to report.
The first exhibition game is Saturday at Fort Myers against the Twins. We’ll have it on WCCS. Greg Brown joins us for the first of our spring training visits with the Pirates broadcasters on Friday morning.
