Pirates optimistic in spring training

BRADENTON, Fla. — Optimism always runs high on the first day of spring training, even for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“This club has a feel that we can be a postseason team, that we can be a team that can advance deep in the postseason,” general manager Neal Huntington said Wednesday as workouts started. “Championship teams are based typically around starting pitching and you win the games you’re supposed to win because of your back end. Then you score.”

Pittsburgh hasn’t reached the World Series since winning the 1979 title. The Pirates were 82-79 last season, a bit of a surprise after Andrew McCutchen and Gerrit Cole were traded.

The Pirates haven’t been to the postseason since winning the first NL wild card for three straight seasons from 2013-15. They have not won a division title since 1992.

However, the Pirates believe they can contend this year because of a rotation that includes Jameson Taillon, Chris Archer, Trevor Williams and Joe Musgrove. All-Star closer Felipe Vazquez anchors a bullpen that includes Keone Kela, Kyle Crick and Richard Rodriguez in set-up roles.

“Our intent is to win our division,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “If you win your division, that puts you in a pretty good place. I love the fact that there’s hunger in there and it’s real, for all the right reasons. And I really like our pitching. If you’ve got good pitching, you put yourself in a really good position.”

Though position players aren’t required to report until Sunday, first baseman Josh Bell, second baseman Adam Frazier, left fielder Corey Dickerson and right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall are projected regulars already in camp.

Broncos acquire Joe Flacco

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Joe Flacco has gone from Denver Broncos tormentor to savior.

The Baltimore Ravens have agreed to trade the veteran quarterback to the Broncos in exchange for a fourth-round pick in this year’s NFL draft, a person with knowledge of the agreement told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Wednesday because neither team announced the deal, which was first reported by ESPN. NFL rules prohibit teams from discussing trades until the start of the league year on March 13.

Flacco, the MVP of the 2013 Super Bowl following a miraculous win at top-seeded Denver, became expendable in Baltimore with the emergence of rookie Lamar Jackson, the former Louisville star who led the Ravens into the playoffs after Flacco got hurt.

The Broncos again needed an upgrade at QB after Case Keenum’s middling debut in Denver, where a 6-10 finish led general manager John Elway to turn to Vic Fangio , his fourth head coach in six seasons.

Now, he’s landed his seventh quarterback since Peyton Manning’s tearful retirement following Denver’s win in Super Bowl 50.

The others all bombed: draft picks Brock Osweiler, Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch and Chad Kelly, trade acquisition Mark Sanchez and Keenum, who threw for 18 TDs and a career-high 15 interceptions last season to go with a career-high 34 sacks.

Flacco has three years and $63 million left on his contract with a salary of $18.5 million next season, which is 10th-highest in the NFL at his position. His cap hit of that same amount is 21st among quarterbacks in the league.

Powell lifts La Salle over Duquesne

PHILADELPHIA — Pookie Powell scored the last two of his team-high 25 points on a driving layup with five seconds left as La Salle edged Duquesne 73-72 on Wednesday night.

Powell made 4 of 6 3-pointers.

David Beatty had 15 points for La Salle (8-15, 6-5 Atlantic 10 Conference). Isiah Deas added 13 points. Ed Croswell had 9 points and 16 rebounds for the hosts.

Saul Phiri had 5 points despite heading into the contest as the Explorers’ second leading scorer at 12 points per game. He hit 20 percent from behind the arc (1 of 5).

Michael Hughes had 18 points for the Dukes (16-9, 7-5). Marcus Weathers added 16 points. Eric Williams Jr. had 15 points and eight rebounds.

La Salle matches up against Saint Louis on the road on Saturday. Duquesne faces George Washington at home on Saturday.

From wire reports