Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Starling Marte went 2-for-4 in a series clinching 3-0 victory to lead Escogido to a five-game sweep Aguilas in the nine-game series in the Dominican Winter League Finals. Marte was 11-for-21 in this series, with at least two hits in every game. Marte completed postseason play and hit .422. Marte hit .304 and 29 regular-season games, with two home runs and 20 RBI. He struck out 23 times.
Marte will join Andrew McCutchen and Travis Snider as regulars in the Pittsburgh outfield in 2013. Marte made his major-league debut against Houston in 2012 and homered on the very first pitch he saw as a major leaguer, but was placed on the disabled list in August with a strained right oblique muscle. Marte finished his first big-league season hitting .257 with five home runs and 17 RBI in 182 plate appearances. He stole 12 bases in 17 attempts.
The Pirates off-season included free-agent Francisco Liriano to a two-year deal, albeit with some hiccups along the way because of a freakish injury at home, re-signing Jeff Karstens on a one-year deal and trading closer Joel Hanrahan to the Boston Red Sox. The Pirates also signed veteran outfielder/first baseman Brad Hawpe to a minor league contract.
