"Look at us. We pitch, we play defense, we're hitting now. We're here, man. We're not going away."
—RHP Brad Lincoln

"No, he's not a lazy player. But there are times when the ball is coming down and drops in front of him. He wants to catch it, but he didn't get a good first step and he backs off. That's not lazy. That's being unsure of yourself. We just need him to go play, get away from the noise."

Just spoke with another #Pirates official here at PNC Park ... There is ZERO question of his readiness. It's about corner outfield and about not having a long pause immediately after he arrives. This person said Marte's performance at the plate right now is "through the roof." Marte has made several starts in left but the one Monday was his first.

The Pirates have signed Julio de la Cruz $700,000.

Just spoke with high-ranking #Pirates official, and I can tell you this: It will NOT be long before Starling Marte is in Pittsburgh. "It's time," the official said without specifics. In the same convo, it came about that Jose Tabata had better get his act together immediately or he's headed for the minors. The team is -- and should be -- livid with his lackluster effort. Sounds to me like an easy one-for-one switch.

14. Pittsburgh Pirates, 42-36 (297 RS, 291 RA) (last week: 16)

In our preseason Pirates preview, we wrote:

IF EVERYTHING BREAKS RIGHT
Alvarez and McDonald join McCutchen in posting breakout seasons, the bullpen gets big results from pitchers not named Joel Hanrahan, Bedard stays healthy, Burnett's revitalized, and Neal Huntington pushes his chips in at the deadline following a surprising first three months. If … all of this clicks for the Bucs, we could see a pennant atmosphere by the three rivers for the first time since Kevin Young's heyday.
Your move, Mr. Huntington.

Anyone still think #Pirates were nuts to trade away INF Drew Sutton, who's been DFA'd by #Rays?

There is the Charlie Morton news, and then there is this -- apparently Lacee Collins is no longer working at Root Sports.

Kyle McPherson, Pirates' 2011 minor league pitcher of year, is in Altoona & will be added to Curve rotation. Been out all season (shoulder).

#Pirates sign 2nd-rder Wyatt Mathisen for $746,300. That's full pick value, so no leftovers for Appel. Texas HS C w/tools & makeup