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On this episode of Rum Bunter Radio the crew is back to break down the late February extension of all-star pitcher and former first round selection Mitch Keller. What led to the 5-year, 77 million dollar contract between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Keller? How much does this affect offseason grades for the front office? Keller, 27 years old, has a career ERA of 4.21, pitching in 32 games in 2023, the Cedar Rapids, Iowa native is primed for a major 2024 campaign after a successful two year run. Is there any reason for concern, although, over the Pirates offer of 77 million? Keller at one point appeared to be another in a long line of Pirates' "busts". Considering modern economics of pitching in major league baseball the crew explains why this is a steal for the Pirates. Mitch Keller may be secured for the long run, but in the short term the Pirates still feel concern in several areas. Catcher was one of the overarching points of interest as the offseason lingered on and Saturday evening Pittsburgh signed major league veteran Yasmani Grandal to a one year deal, adding a veteran presence to the room. Will Yasmani Grandal remain on the roster at the conclusion of July? How often will Yasmani Grandal take the field when the season begins in April? Grandal, a former first round pick himself, now 35 years old, is preparing for his 13th season in the ‘biggs’ and is beginning the 2024 year with his sixth MLB club.  As the episode comes to a close the crew details the start to spring training. Outside of hysterically revealing uniforms, what has stood out in Pirates city? Will the Roansy Contreras Pittsburgh has seen in week one of ST24 carry through the remainder of camp back north? Batten down the hatches, clear the decks and enjoy this episode of Rum Bunter Radio! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Pittsburgh Pirates sign veteran reliever Aroldis Chapman in one of the most surprising and unfitting moves of the offseason. While the Pirates add depth to a hopeful bullpen, what is to make of a starting rotation that is still desperate for major league arms? Batten down the hatches, clear the decks and enjoy this episode of Rum Bunter Radio! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Pittsburgh Pirates have had a rather quiet offseason when it comes to roster moves that were expected to help bolster the team for the 2024 season. Does Ben Cherrington have several moves on the way? What does this signal about the direction of the franchise and the status of Bob Nutting's ownership in Pittsburgh? Batten down the hatches, clear the decks and enjoy this episode of Rum Bunter Radio! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Pittsburgh Pirates had several MAJOR needs heading into the 2023-2024 off-season. As they address their biggest need (arms, arms and more arms) at the 2023 MLB Winter Meetings in Nashville, Ben Cherington and the Pirates front office is left with still much work to do. In this episode of Rum Bunter Radio the crew recaps the start of the offseason, takes a deep dive on what went down at the Winter Meetings, and look ahead to potential moves that could drastically chance the outcome of the upcoming season. Batten down the hatches, clear the decks and enjoy this episode of Rum Bunter Radio! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The offseason is upon us! After noticeable improvement on the field in 2023 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, how will the front office address the club's top needs this off-season? The five most important areas of need: Starting pitching, not having a first baseman whatsoever, locking down second base, will Mitch Keller and/or Andrew McCutchen put pen to paper on a new deal ahead of spring camp? In this Rum Bunter Radio special the crew ranks these topics, and follows them with a deep dive on each area of need. Are the Pirates on track to real contention in 2024 if this offseason goes to plan? Batten down the hatches, clear the decks and enjoy this episode of Rum Bunter Radio! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Pittsburgh Pirates 2023 season is officially over! On this episode of Rum Bunter Radio the crew breaks down the entirety of the 2023 season, discussing the highs, lows, and swings of this year’s Bucco’s campaign. The conversation begins in April where the Pirates got out to a red hot 20-8 start to the season. What went wrong for the Pirates after so much early season success? How much did the injury of Oneil Cruz set the Pirates back, losing the star infielder in the home opening series.  The crew gives an overall grade of the 2023 Pittsburgh Pirates, while sharing their favorite and least favorite moments of the season as a whole.  Batten down the hatches, clear the decks and enjoy this Rum Bunter Radio season special! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Pittsburgh Pirates get HOT as the 2023 season comes to an end!  A year with ups and downs has left the Pittsburgh Pirates in 4th place in the NL Central, which appears to be their final resting place for the season.  Momentum has fans confident heading into 2024, although, with the recent collective effort and on-field success that has come with it. On this episode of Rum Bunter Radio the crew previews the remainder of the 2023 campaign, how the Pirates can control the NL Wild Card race and early intel on the upcoming offseason.  Batten down the hatches, clear the decks and enjoy this episode of Rum Bunter Radio! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this episode of Rum Bunter Radio the crew returns to discuss the state of Pittsburgh Pirates baseball. Is there a true direction to this pitching staff? Things seem to be headed back in the right direction for Mitch Keller and Johan Oviedo. The group takes a look at what has led to this redound success, and what needs to happen within the organization to avoid future blowups. As the year comes to a close, fans continue to question the direction of the organization. What will 2024 have in store with what we know now.Batten down the hatches, clear the decks and enjoy this episode of Rum Bunter Radio! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Pittsburgh Pirates send former first round pick Quinn Priester back to Indianapolis after a disastrous start to his career in the majors.  Young talent has completely infused the Pirates lineup as the season has wore on. Expectations for the Young Bucs are lofty considering what has gone into a long and downtrodden rebuild under Ben Cherrington.  As guys like Henry Davis continue to learn from the Major League level, Major League Baseball continues to learn about Henry Davis, and how to get past him. Are his slider struggles reason for worry? While the big league Buccos are pressed for starting pitching, the Bradenton Marauders have their ace, and hopefully not for long. Paul Skenes dazzles in his a-ball debut, and gives fans good reason to believe in the hype so far.  The Pirates can CATCH! Who should be behind the dish on a daily basis, and when will we see more of Henry Davis at the no. 2 position.  Batten down the hatches, clear the decks and enjoy this episode of Rum Bunter Radio as the crew welcomes staff writer Mitchell Reese! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Since the middle of May the Pittsburgh Pirates have been banking on the hope that ace, former first round pick and 2023 All-Star Mitch Keller would re-find his stride on the mound and get back to his ace potential.  That has not been the case, and not only have Mitch Keller’s struggles continued, but what seems to be every arm in Pittsburgh is falling to despair.  Who will make up this staff in the remainder of 2023 and beyond? How do the Young Bucs stay productive? And everything you need to know ahead of Paul Skenes professional debut.  Batten down the hatches, clear the decks and enjoy this episode of Rum Bunter Radio! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The 2023 MLB Trade Deadline has come and gone, several Pittsburgh Pirates come and go as well in the madness.  With playoff expansion, and general parody across major league baseball this season it appeared to be yet again a favorable market for sellers like the Pittsburgh Pirates. Several teams like the Texas Rangers made it clear they were going all in this deadline to make a push for the AL crown.  Headline moves did take place prior to August 1st’s infamous deadline hour, but overall the Pirates do not make any trades that would be in the realm of blockbuster.  On this Rum Bunter Radio special the crew breaks down the big day and the moves Pittsburgh settled on with Philadelphia, San Diego and Texas.  Should the club have moved more? Was the return appropriate for the trades that were made? Batten down the hatches, clear the decks and enjoy this episode of Rum Bunter Radio! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The 2023 MLB Trade Deadline is here! Who will remain in black and gold following Tuesday’s anticipated trade cutoff? One of the Pittsburgh Pirates top trade chips in veterans Carlos Santana is already off the board as the Buccos made their first big trade splash of the regular season on Thursday night dealing Santana to the Milwaukee Brewers for 18-year-old, former highly touted international signee, Johnny Sevirino.  The crew reviews this decision and if the return matches the production the “Crew” is receiving in Carlos Santana. While selling was not the plan this season for Pittsburgh, it appears to be a good year for it with many teams around the same win total. How drastic will the front office go this deadline?  Open to trading Pittsburgh native and Pirates all-star David Bednar? Ace Mitch Keller who has found himself over the past two years? Standout backend reliever Colin Holderman?  These questions will be answered by Ben Cherrington early next week, but as Jon Heyman’s tweet noted earlier this week, teams around the league are certainly asking about the Pirates’ top arms.  Batten down the hatches, clear the decks and enjoy this Rum Bunter Radio MLB Trade Deadline Special! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy