Neil Walker News

9, 2009. Cubs' Koyle Hill scored on the single. Browse more photos>> This is about as mean as the usually-circumspect Neal Huntington ever gets: "Sitting here today, we feel like we have one Major League third baseman, and that is Andy LaRoche ," general manager Neal Huntington said.

He remains the local guy the city pulls for, but it's becoming increasingly evident that Neil Walker is not in the Pirates' immediate plans.

The Pirates are expected to announce today that they have signed free-agent infielder Bobby Crosby to a one-year contract.

As the Akinori Iwamura-Jesse Chavez trade was announced just over a week ago, the e-mails started arriving in a flurry.

Pirates ' players and friends in Tuesday's winter league action: MEXICAN PACIFIC LEAGUE Mayos de Navojoa 5, Tomateros de Culiacan 3 Three runs in the top of the 9th gave Navojoa the come-from-behind win over Culiacan.

Former Pirate Romulo Sanchez suffered the loss for Lara, as he gave up the winning run in the bottom of the 7th.

Friday's winter league action featuring Pirates' players and friends: VENEZUELAN LEAGUE Bravos de Margarita 11, Cardenales de Lara 1 3B Neil Walker started the scoring for Los Bravos, with his second homer of the winter season, a solo blast over the left field wall to begin the 2nd inning.

Time to catch up with the various Pirates still playing baseball across the Western Hemisphere.

Here is part one in a seven-part series that will take an in-depth look at how each of the Pirates' Minor League affiliates fared during the 2009 season.

The Pirates' Neil Walker, Robinzon Diaz, Ronny Cedeno and Luis Cruz will play winter ball.

Don't Touch That Dial... No, there isn't a lot going on in the minor league arena just now, and the major league teams have just two more games in the regular season.

Baseball America included Rudy Owens and Tony Sanchez on its list of Top 20 South Atlantic League Prospects, released today.

A few weeks ago, I read an article that talked about how the Pirates are considering moving Andy Laroche to second base in 2010, to make room for either third baseman Pedro Alvarez or Neil Walker .

Charlie Morton goes against Bronson Arroyo at 12:35 today as the Bucs look for their fourth win in the last 26 games.

While a handful of players on the Pirates' Major League roster have committed to playing winter ball this offseason, general manager Neal Huntington made it no secret that he is disappointed that more aren't following suit.

Pittsburgh native Neil Walker puffed out his chest a bit as he talked about the Group of 20 economic summit being in town this week.

The Pirates' season-ending free fall continues, and it seems to be sparing no victims.

Cincinnati Reds center fielder Drew Stubbs looks over his shoulder as he chases down a fly ball by Pittsburgh Pirates' Neil Walker in the second inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Sept.

The Pirates scratched third baseman Andy LaRoche from lineup Friday against the San Diego Padres because of illness.

Will Venable was a little worried before Neil Walker's drive settled into his glove in right.