Pittsburgh Pirates GM Neal Huntington Joins RumBunter Podcast

Sep 18, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington (left) talks with Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington (right) on the field before the Pirates host the Red Sox at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Pirates GM Neal Huntington joined the RumBunter podcast to discuss the 2015 Pirates season.  The all- Pirates podcast is over thirty minutes in length and covers a variety of topics on the 2015 Pirates.  One of the keys to the off season was how the team was able to bolster their starting pitching without breaking the bank.   Francisco Liriano and A.J. Burnett  were signed to deals that Neal Huntington said,  “left cash on the table” for both starters.

The Pirates Senior Vice President and General Manager called attention to the depth of the 2015 club.  Huntington discussed the satisfaction with seeing Jeff Banister become named the manager of the Texas Rangers.  Also Huntington speaks about the details that surfaced as Banister went through the interview process with Jon Daniels of Texas.

Sep 11, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) and second baseman Neil Walker (18) walk off the field after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Pirates defeated the Phillies, 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Of course, the trade of outfielder Travis Snider is talked about including an interesting theory Smitty brings up in the dialog.  Also a hot topic is that of Huntington’s feelings on the Neil Walker arbitration process,  You will hear the most detailed explanation of the ‘file and go’ approach by the Pirates in arbitration this off season.  Huntington said that he distanced himself from the process and allowed talented individuals in the organization to handle it.

Pedro Alvarez will have a full six week instructional period to get ready to play first base again.  Huntington sounded confident about El Toro playing first base, but he also mentioned what is on the minds of all Pirates fans….  The Pedro Alvarez home run tracker

"Huntington said, “just as importantly is ( Pedro Alvarez ) getting comfortable in the batters box again, putting 30 balls into the seats.”"

New Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli has had difficulty staying on the field during his career.  With the catching position going from one of strength over the past two seasons, to a potential weakness with the departure of Russell Martin, listen to how Huntington feels the Pirates can help to keep Cervelli on the field during 2015.

The Pirates off season has brought plenty of attention from Baseball Prospectus,  MLB.com, and other sites such as PiratesProspects.com that have gone to great lengths researching the most talented players in the Pirates system and ranking them in Top-100 lists.  Under Huntington’s watch, the Pirates have developed a post season contender as well as one of the top farm systems in Major League Baseball.  Players such as Tyler Glasnow, Jameson Taillon, Josh Bell, Austin Meadows, Reese McGuire, Nick Kingham and Alen Hanson are found in the majority of those lists.  The Pirates GM talks about the people that deserve the credit for all of those accolades surrounding the future of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball club.

Huntington speaks with confidence about the 2015 Pittsburgh Pirates club, please give it a listen by clicking on this link RumBunterPlus.com

Neal Huntington Pittsburgh Pirates GM