Zach Duke News

For some major-league clubs, the Winter Meetings are a time to swing a blockbuster trade or ink a marquee free agent.

On paper, the Pirates had another quiet day at the Winter Meetings. However, don't mistake a lack of confirmed transactions, signings or trades as a sign that general manager Neal Huntington didn't remain busy.

It seemed shocking that the Pirates would even think about trading for Juan Pierre , but they have.

A big splash by the Pirates? Of Major League Baseball's 30 teams attending the Winter Meetings that begin this morning at the Indiana Convention Center, it is safe to say that the one from Pittsburgh is seen as least likely to raise an eyebrow, much less a fuss.

AZ Hardball is a site dedicated to baseball enthusiasts in the state of Arizona.

John Perrotto is reporting that once again, Reid Brignac has captured the attention of the Pittsburgh Pirates front office.

After Donnie Veal followed up his nightmare Rule 5 season with a sparkling performance in the AFL, the reviews of his AFL season ran the gamut from people saying things like he looked as good as he did when he was a top prospect with the Cubs circa 2006/2007 and people saying that despite his stellar performance, it would be hard to really change ...

Former Athletics pitcher Justin Duchscherer did not play last season due to various medical ailments.

With expectations low for the Pirates' level of activity at the Winter Meetings next week in Indianapolis, it could be that their biggest splash will come from that grand leftover pool known as the Rule 5 draft.

Pittsburgh not only had a bad major league team, but it also had little talent in the farm system.

Once upon a time, in the early days of WHYGAVS, there was a pretty heated debate between myself and some of the commenters about Jason Bay's value on defense.

27, 2009. The Pirates won 6-5. Browse more photos>> Here's the community projection review for Nyjer Morgan .

Jack Wilson, who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates for nearly nine seasons until being traded to Seattle in July, is the winner of the Chuck Tanner Award for the second time in four seasons.

Posted By buccofans 23 hours, 38 minutes ago in Sports BUCCO Fans.com looks at the starting pitching situation with the Pittsburgh Pirates, including the 2009 results from guys like Ross Ohlendorf and Zach Duke, the prospects acquired in the 2009 draft and the trades this season, plus a look ahead to the future of the rotation.

It was the year of 17 for the Pirates. From losing 17 in a row to the Brewers to the 17-2 loss at Wrigley Field to 17 consecutive losing seasons, here are 17 bests and worsts of the franchise's 123rd season that ends today at Great American Ball Park ... Top player: Zach Duke.

The current Pirates ownership will likely never have pockets deep enough to sign a superstar free agent.

They said the losing had to stop, and it didn't. They said the familiar pattern of a player getting good and then getting gone would stop, and it didn't. Instead, the losing didn't slow down for the Pittsburgh Pirates, it increased.

McCutchen, the Pirates ' top draft pick in 2005, played well enough this summer to rank among the top Rookie of the Year candidates.

CINCINNATI ? When Thursday night's game against the Chicago Cubs was rained out, it cost Pirates pitcher Paul Maholm a chance to finish the season on a positive note.

Joey Votto homered and drove in three runs and Scott Rolen homered and the Cincinnati Reds took advantage of Zach Duke's control problems for an 8-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night.