Pirates have been linked to free-agent reliever Bryan Abreu, who worked with pitching coach Bill Murphy on Houston's 2022 title team. The Astros connection fits Cherington's approach, but Abreu's recent performance makes him a risky rebound bet. ⚾
Pirates pitching coach Bill Murphy unplugged in Grand Teton after his first season on staff, but the work continues. He says he could help pitchers adjust faster and is already plotting how the staff improves in 2027. 📸
Mason Montgomery and Luke Weaver already form a strong 2027 late-inning duo, but the Pirates could still add a leverage arm. Budget-friendly names floated include Evan Phillips, Bryan Abreu and Emilio Pagán, with Morejón and Bednar likely too pricey. 🔒
MLB Trade Rumors projects the Pirates to land Brewers World Series lefty JoJo Romero on a two-year, $13M deal. With Gregory Soto heading to free agency, it would fill a southpaw gap and poach a postseason standout (1.13 ERA) from the division champs. 🎯
Jo Adell could be a speculative fit for a Pirates lineup that ranked last in MLB against lefty starters (18-33, .229 average). He has hit .288/.345/.591 against lefties over his last 400 PA, but just .230/.292/.430 overall across three seasons. ⚖️
Brandon Lowe is a Silver Slugger finalist at second base after hitting .260 with 35 homers, 96 RBI and an .824 OPS. It validates Cherington's December trade, but the Pirates could get only one season out of their biggest bat. 💣
Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly predicts the Pirates could sign Ty France, using money coming off the books from Brandon Lowe and Marcell Ozuna. France hit .295 with 21 HR for the Padres and would be a clear upgrade over Spencer Horowitz at first. 🔍
Gregory Soto hit free agency, so the Pirates need a lefty again. Only Montgomery, Sisk and Eisert have extended MLB time, and Sisk and Eisert need an upgrade. Options like Soto, JoJo Romero and Brock Burke fit; Morejón likely costs too much. 🎯
Brandon Lowe, in his first season with the Pirates, is a Silver Slugger finalist. Winners are announced Nov. 17, with managers and coaches doing the voting. A nice bat-first debut in Pittsburgh. 🏆
Perrotto argues the Pirates should chase right-handed bats after going 18-33 against lefty starters in 2026, despite ranking sixth in MLB in runs. Colorado's Hunter Goodman is the suggested first call, with a pitching package floated as a possible offer.
Spencer Horwitz could be a Pirates trade candidate if they want roster flexibility. His second half cratered (.464 OPS) after a hamstring injury and concussion, but he hit .280/.386/.455 before that and projects at just $2.5M in arbitration. 📉
Wyatt Sanford is the lone Pirate named to the AFL Fall-Stars team. The 20-year-old shortstop is hitting .283/.386/.417 through 15 games for Glendale, with a 454-foot homer. The Fall-Stars Game is Sunday, Nov. 8. 💪
Daulton Varsho, a projected $8M one-year fit per Jim Bowden's free-agent ranking, is the cheapest Pirates option. The 2024 Gold Glove winner hit .172 with a .535 OPS for Houston in 2026 and had wrist surgery Sept. 29. Bargain or gamble? 🎲
It’s a single-issue negotiation. MLB wants a cap, the players reject a cap. All of the details MLB has shared about its vision -- a number of which are good! -- are tied to the MLBPA accepting a cap system. Publicly, at least, the league has not put forth any vision of a non-capped league. The players, and again I’ll say this is based on what we know, appear to have no intention of accepting a payroll cap. Until one side or the other concedes on this point, there is nowhere for negotiations...
Non-tendering Jared Triolo would be a mistake, one argument goes. He's a 2026 Gold Glove finalist with 5 DRS across five positions, projected at just $1.8M in arbitration. His .609 OPS says bench utility, not everyday starter. No sign the Pirates plan to cut him. 🔒
MLB owners' revised cap-and-floor proposal would start in 2028, not 2027, with a $180.2M floor. Pittsburgh is among 12 clubs that would need to add payroll, but Bob Nutting would get another year before anyone could make him spend. 💸
Pirates went 18-33 against left-handed starters, fourth-worst in MLB, despite big offensive gains. Free-agent fixes could include right-handed outfield bats like Austin Hays and Tyrone Taylor, who could platoon with lefty-hitting Spencer Horwitz. 🔧
Pirates are linked to free-agent lefties Robbie Ray (projected 2 years, $45M) and Foster Griffin (3 years, $67M) per Jim Bowden's rankings. The rotation is all right-handed, but only one lefty looks like a smart long-term fit. Ray, 35, is a pricey gamble. 🤔
Konnor Griffin tops MLB Pipeline's 2026 long-term rookie value rankings, narrowly ahead of Kevin McGonigle. The Pirates shortstop debuted in April at 19, and his potential as a 30-30 shortstop with Gold Glove defense gives him the edge. 📈
Ben Cherington said the Pirates would set offseason priorities by November to act before a possible lockout when the CBA expires Dec. 1. It's November now, and his track record leaves fans wondering if intent becomes real upgrades. ⏳
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