After Francisco Cervelli spent years as a backup in the Bronx, the Pirates were convinced he could not only be a starter but a difference-maker. They traded for the high-energy reserve, handed the ex-Yankee the keys to their pitching staff and told him to just be himself.
What they got is their best acquisition of the winter, and arguably their MVP. Andrew McCutchen is the Pirates’ star, but in his first year as an unquestioned starter Cervelli is the spark and heart of a team that’s leading the NL wild-card chase.
And Friday, he had a hand in their 3-2 10-inning win over the Mets.