The Pirates went to Colorado having won eleven of their last fourteen games. Unfortunately, they lost the last two games of the series after beating the Rockies Friday night. Still, it’s hard to be disappointed in how the Pirates have been playing since they went to Philadelphia right before the All Star Break. Even though they head to the West Coast next, the Pirates have a real chance to keep winning as they play the Giants and Padres. If they can do that the Buccos will stay in the race. Who could have imagined that just a few weeks ago?
• Did anyone think the Pirates would win six of seven against the Cards and Brewers coming out of the All Star break? Not me. But that’s what the Pirates did. They got great pitching, timely hitting and also played really good defense. In doing so, they went from eight games out of first place to just a couple of games behind the Brew Crew. It was an exciting week for the Pirates and their fans. Perhaps the best week we’ve seen from the Buccos in a long time.
• It’s highly doubtful now that the Pirates will be major sellers at the upcoming trade deadline. I would be shocked if they deal Andrew McCutchen. A few weeks ago it looked like Cutch would again be on the market. Now, it’s doubtful the Pirates would consider trading their marquee player. Cutch could actually bring a nice return on the market. It’s possible some teams will ask the Bucs about him. But the public relations angle to this story is also important. The Pirates’ front office would get clobbered in the court of public opinion if they were to trade McCutchen after his recent surge. I have said for some time that I think the Pirates ought to trade their biggest star. Now, I don’t think they can afford to, even if the return is worth it.
• McCutchen’s batting stroke, as well as his confidence are back. In an interview this week the veteran Pirate said the old Cutch wasn’t back. He pointed out that the Cutch we’re seeing now is even better than what we saw in the past. Only seasoned baseball people can tell you if Andrew McCutchen is the player he was in his prime, and if can still be a productive player into his thirties. In the meantime, enjoy the resurgence of Andrew McCutchen. It’s a heck of a story.
• Gregory Polanco’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Pirates. They were surging when Polanco went down with another strained hamstring. Polanco had been on fire at the plate, and his defense had really improved. Over the past week, I watched the Pirates’ right fielder make both some nice catches and throws from his position. I also saw him get picked off third base. Polanco’s play can frustrate the heck out of Pirates’ fans. Still, he’s starting to show what he can do. The Pirates just hope he’s back in the lineup soon, and once he returns that he can stay healthy for the rest of the season.
• Le’Veon Bell is one confident football player. He reportedly turned down a contract that could have paid him sixty million dollars, with up to half of that guaranteed. Instead, he’s gambling that he will have another monster year for the Steelers and then cash in on a more lucrative long-term agreement. It’s a heck of a gamble for a running back. Especially one that has missed nearly thirty percent of his games due to injuries and a suspension. Bell is a heck of a player, and could very well be the best running back in the game. If he signs his franchise agreement he will be highest paid running back in the NFL by far. The Steelers can also use the franchise tag on him again next year. That means they can run him until the wheels fall off for two more seasons. After that, at age 27, who knows where Bell will play.
• Bell could hold out most of camp and sign before the regular season without being fined. So too could starting left tackle Alejandro Villanueva, who will make less than seven hundred thousand dollars this season. That’s peanuts for a guy who protects his quarterback’s blind side, and Villanueva knows it. I’m surprised the two parties haven’t come to a long-term agreement yet. I still expect you’ll see Villanueva in a Steelers’ uniform this year. I’m just not sure if he’ll get the new deal he clearly wants.
• Marc Andre Fleury turned the page on his Pittsburgh Penguins career when he had his day with the Stanley Cup in his native Montreal over the weekend. He shared the Cup with kids at a Ronald McDonald House, and then celebrated with family. Afterwards, The Flower said it’s time to move on. Marc Andre Fleury will go down as one of the most celebrated players in Penguins’ history. I’m so glad he got to end his career in The Burgh by winning the Stanley Cup.
• If you didn’t watch the final round of the British Open… shame on you! Wow, what great stuff. Jordan Spieth looked like he was going to have a meltdown like he did two years ago when he gave away the Masters. Instead, after losing a three shot lead and actually falling behind, Spieth played the last five holes in an almost unbelievable five under par to win going away. He’s just twenty-four, but Spieth has now won three majors. All that’s left for his career grand slam is the PGA. He’ll get his shot at that title later this summer. Spieth is a special player. It’s hard to imagine that he won’t win several more majors before his career is over.
