Clint Hurdle Expecting Big Things From Pirates As Spring Training Opens In Bradenton
BRADENTON, Fla. (KDKA) -- Fans aren't the only ones expecting big things from the Pittsburgh Pirates this season, manager Clint Hurdle is as well.
Spring Training 2016 is officially underway for the Pirates. Tuesday was the first day of full squad workouts in Bradenton.
The Pirates are coming off one of their best seasons in team history. They had the second best record in the majors last season, but a lot of outsiders have been very critical of the off-season.
Clint Hurdle likes what they did leading up to the spring and told KDKA-TV's Rich Walsh that he doesn't listen or pay attention to outsiders.
"I know who we are. I know how we operate. I have conversations with Neal Huntington every day," Hurdle said.
Everyone arrived and was accounted for the first day, and unlike the last couple years, the Pirates and Hurdle have a couple decisions to make concerning the major league roster.
There are a couple bench positions and a spot in the bullpen still up for grabs.
"[This] very well could be the camp that has the most men in play," Hurdle said.
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Hurdle and the Pirates have their sight sets on a division championship this season, "One of the unfinished business parts Neal and I have is to win the division and to win a World Series."
The Pirates did not make any splash moves this off-season, but that is how they usually operate. Their track record has proven it works. They won 98 games last season.
Hurdle said, "We addressed the areas we felt we needed to shore up. We've got young players coming. We believe in the guys we got."
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Hurdle said he thinks his team is built to win a World Series.
"I believe we are," Hurdle said.
The Pirates will spend one more week at Pirates City before heading over to McKechnie Field when games start next Tuesday.
