Buccos Cove

Late season free agent signings are rate, but the Pirates added to their 26-man roster last night. They signed Yoshi Tsutsugo to a Major League contract and designated John Nogowski for assignment. The Pittsburgh Pirates' first base position has been one that has been on a carousel all season long. Ever since Colin Moran's first stint on the Injured List in late May, we have seen Phillip Evans, Erik Gonzalez, and even Ben Gamel take on the position, but no one was able to stick. Evans is down in the Minor Leagues, Gonzalez has been DFA'd, and Gamel is currently on the Injured List. The Pirates thought they had found something when they claimed John Nogowski off waivers, as he was fast out the gate with a batting average of .345 on July 17th. However, since then he has gone downhill, hitting .094 in August and seeing his average drop to .233 on the season. It was the beginning of the end for Nogowski, as he was Designated for Assignment to make room for the newes...

The Pittsburgh Pirates lineup was dragging, but they got a big boost from first baseman John Nogowski. It has been just six games, but Nogowski has already written himself in the Pirates history books and is finding his swing in his new city. Last week, the Pittsburgh Pirates were I'm serious trouble at first base. Colin Moran was already on the Injured List and then both Erik Gonzalez and Phillip Evans ended up having to head to the IL as well. This left the Pirates with no experienced first baseman, and Ben Gamel being the only player with any experience at the position. That is when they went out on a limb and made a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, sending cash considerations in exchange for infielder John Nogowski. Prior to his time in Pittsburgh, Nogowski had been used solely as a pinch hitter in St. Louis and was hitting a dismal .086 in 18 at-bats, most of those coming in pinch-hitting situations. However, with more consistent playing time, Nogowski has flour...

Earlier today, the Pittsburgh Pirates called one of their newest members John Nogowski up to the Big Leagues. Nogowski was acquired in a trade with the Cardinals and looks to add some much-needed depth at first base. At the beginning of the season, one of the few positions for the Pirates that wasn't filled with question marks was first base. Colin Moran had established himself there last season and was ready to take over full-time after the trade of Josh Bell. However, Moran has found himself on the Injured List more than on the playing field, through no fault of his own, and it has left the Pirates high and dry. Phillip Evans has been his primary back-up, but other than him the only other player with first base experience was outfielder Ben Gamel. The Pirates tried Will Craig for a stint, but that stint did not go well, highlighted by "the play" earlier this season. Because of this, the Pirates were forced to go to the trade market to look for help at first ...