News out of Pittsburgh

[love_that_reefer]

Jose Tabata has a goal to hit more home runs this season.
"Yeah, I’m bigger," said Tabata. "I worked out in the gym every day this winter. I want to be bigger and stronger. This year, my idea is to hit more home runs." Tabata hit just four home runs in his first 441 major league plate appearances with the Pirates last season. He never showed much power in the minor leagues either, hitting 29 home runs over 441 plate appearances.

Steve Pearce said he is at "about 85 percent" after undergoing surgery on his left knee last August.
"But I'm more confident every single day," said Pearce. "By the start [of spring training] I'm going to be 100 percent, for sure." Pearce, who turns 28 in April, will compete for a backup infielder/outfielder job during spring training, though he does have one option remaining.

Good to hear Tabata is hitting the weights this offseason. Even if he can become just a 15 HR type with his speed to go along with it, he will be a valuable asset for the Pirates. Pearce is just depth but does possess good on base skills and can play OF/1B. Could be a right handed platoon option for both positions. The Pirates are also looking for more pitching according to Jon Heyman.

[Foster]

Any news is good news for this team.

[Witlon]

Hopefully this puts to rest the undying thought in my mind that Tabata will be benched most of the time due to us giving Matt Diaz too much money. *sigh*

[love_that_reefer]

Diaz will be in RF along with Jones.

[love_that_reefer]

Pedro Alvarez reportedly has gained at least 15 pounds this offseason and has ballooned to more than 240 pounds.
At least one team official, according to the report, is not happy. The young third baseman got married this offseason and admits to having a Latin food addiction. Even so, the weight gain doesn't speak well to his dedication. On the plus side, he was lifting earlier this offseason and Paul Ladewski of Pirates Report is told that he's as strong as he's ever been. Alvarez posted a .259/.330/.466 batting line, 16 home runs and 64 RBI in 343 at-bats last year for the Pirates.

Hopefully he doesn't turn into a Pablo Sandoval of 2010.

[Foster]

"Latin Food Addiction"!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!

Taco Bell can hurt.

[realmofotalk]

Taco Bell isn't Latin food.

[DirtyKash]

If the Pirates don't want him, there are several teams who would gladly take him in a trade and have him be the next Aramis Ramirez. DO IT

[realmofotalk]

They should have drafted Buster Posey instead.

[love_that_reefer]

Alvarez will be at 1B where he belongs in a year or so. He will probably get some looks there this spring and if Overbay does well and is traded at the deadline, he should probably just take over.