This story was excerpted from Alex Stumpf’s Pirates Beat e-newsletter. To learn the complete e-newsletter, click on right here. And subscribe to get it often in your inbox.
“Our expectations are that we win and that we make the playoffs. In an effort to do this, we knew we needed to be aggressive within the offseason,” Pirates president Travis Williams mentioned final week.
” … We all know we now have a extremely good alternative with the workforce we now have in place,” Williams continued. “We all know that there are some nice additions on the offensive aspect that we are able to actually add to this workforce and obtain our targets of profitable and making the playoffs.”
The Winter Conferences are a primary alternative to perform that. Going down this coming Monday-Wednesday, Dec. 8-10, in Orlando, the Pirates and the remainder of the league will come collectively to speak to brokers and one another about trades and signings. Whereas transactions could not at all times be accomplished through the conferences, discussions to get the ball rolling will certainly occur.
Right here’s what it’s essential to know forward of the busiest three days of the offseason calendar:
Bats. Emphasis on plural.
Final 12 months’s Pirates workforce completed final in baseball in runs, residence runs and OPS. They will want bounce-back seasons from gamers like Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz, however in addition they want so as to add to the lineup. The Pirates have been linked to some large free brokers, most notably Kyle Schwarber, they usually have some monetary flexibility so as to add.
When it comes to particular positions, their most urgent wants are a nook outfielder and an infielder on the left aspect of the infield. They may use a real No. 1 catcher, one other infielder, and even only a large bat to be a DH. In addition they gave themselves a necessity for a 3rd baseman once they traded Ke’Bryan Hayes to the Reds in July, whereas the outfield has wanted assist for years. It’s arduous to see this being a profitable offseason with out upgrading not less than a type of two positions (DH and third base).
WHO ARE THEIR TRADE CANDIDATES?
The obvious is Mitch Keller. The 2023 All-Star has been on the middle of commerce rumors for a couple of 12 months now, and given the Pirates’ beginning rotation depth and want for offensive firepower, he might be dealt.
If the Pirates preserve Keller, they might deal from their beginning pitching depth to accumulate a bat. No, it gained’t be Paul Skenes, however somebody like Johan Oviedo or Thomas Harrington may fetch a pleasant return. Exterior of pitching, Joey Bart is a part of an already crowded catchers’ room that the Pirates may look to improve this winter.
WHICH PROSPECTS SHOULD WE KEEP OUR EYE ON?
The obvious reply right here is Konnor Griffin. MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 prospect within the sport may very effectively crack the Majors in 2026, which must be taken under consideration because the Pirates construct this workforce this winter. They want extra manufacturing out of the shortstop spot, however are they higher off buying center infield assist or trusting their inside choices?
The Pirates didn’t depart a lot as much as probability this 12 months, including seven prospects to the 40 man roster this winter to guard them from the Rule 5 Draft or free company. There are nonetheless two prospects on MLB Pipeline’s High 30 record that have been left unprotected: catcher Omar Alfonzo (No. 19) and left-hander Anthony Solometo (No. 25). Provided that Alfonzo had a bumpy begin with Double-A Altoona and Solometo spent most of 2025 rehabbing a left shoulder damage, neither looks like a primary candidate to be poached by one other workforce.
The Pirates’ roster is at present full at 40 gamers, so until they clear a spot, they will be unable to take a play within the Main League portion of the Rule 5 Draft.
We’ve seen rumors of the Pirates being linked to some high-profile free brokers. They’ve some cash to spend, a number of apparent wants and a way of urgency to return to the postseason in 2026.
In addition they tried so as to add the final couple winters however didn’t accomplish a lot. Will this offseason be completely different?
The Pirates’ core has some proficient gamers, however they’re going to want exterior additions to recover from the hump. They’re speaking the discuss this winter. Now they must comply with by way of.
