The Bucs' Offseason Moves: A Deep Dive
The Pittsburgh Pirates are far from finished with their offseason moves, as they look to strengthen their roster for the 2026 season. With a few weeks until Opening Day, the team's general manager, Ben Cherington, is confident in their ability to add to the roster and improve their chances of success.
Pitching:
The Pirates have already traded two starters, Johan Oviedo and Mike Burrows, who could have been part of their Opening Day rotation. To address this, they are looking to add veteran depth, especially with left-handed options. Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller are the only starters with 140 innings under their belt, and Jared Jones is recovering from elbow surgery. The team's only left-handed starter, rookie Hunter Barco, is not guaranteed a spot on the Opening Day roster. A reunion with José Quintana or Tyler Anderson could be on the cards, as the club has been in contact with both.
The bullpen is also an area of interest. The Pirates have already signed left-handed relievers Soto and Montgomery, but they are expected to return to the reliever market once their offensive position is stronger.
Outfield:
The outfield needed an upgrade, and the Pirates have made some progress. Mangum is a contact-oriented player with speed and defense, capable of starting or being a fourth outfielder. Garcia, a top 100 prospect, has high upside, but lacks Major League experience. O'Hearn will play some outfield, but also get reps at first base and designated hitter. Jack Suwinski will get another look in Spring Training, but his recent struggles raise questions about reliability.
The remaining options include Billy Cook, Nick Yorke, and Esmerlyn Valdez, all of whom have limited Major League experience. While there is potential, adding more depth could be beneficial.
Infield:
The infield is an area of opportunity. Konnor Griffin, the No. 1 overall prospect, will have a chance to earn a spot in Spring Training. Jared Triolo had a solid finish to the season, and the two could handle shortstop and third base. However, with Triolo's versatility and Griffin's youth (19 years old), the market for infielders needs exploration. Eugenio Suárez and Yoán Moncada have been considered, with Moncada's .815 OPS against right-handed pitchers making him an appealing platoon partner for Triolo.
The Pirates are far from finished, and with several weeks until Opening Day, they are poised to make more moves to strengthen their roster and compete for a playoff spot.
