All articles tagged with #pirates
Austin Riley homered 419 feet and Bryce Elder threw two solid innings as Atlanta beat Pittsburgh 3-1 in Grapefruit League action. Riley’s shot capped the scoring after Drake Baldwin's quirky early triple, while Elder struck out three with no walks. Skenes struggled in his spring debut, and the Braves drew four walks off him as they used seven relievers in a breezy win. The Braves travel to Tampa to face the Yankees tomorrow.
The Pirates and top prospect Konnor Griffin are open to negotiating a long-term extension as Griffin nears his 20th birthday. Widely regarded as baseball’s top prospect entering 2026, he could command a nine-figure guarantee if the sides agree, though they’d balance current value against potential earnings in free agency. Griffin’s minor-league resume (122 games, 21 HR, 65 SB, .333/.415/.527) and his speed/defense keep him central to Pittsburgh’s plans, with opening-day promotion possibilities and strategic contract structures on the table.
In a Fort Myers Grapefruit League clash, home plate umpire Mitch Trzeciak saw five of his calls overturned by ABS, drawing cheers when one was upheld; the Pirates beat the Red Sox 16-7, and Wilyer Abreu briefly broke his bat on a check swing.
In a Grapefruit League game between the Pirates and Red Sox, umpire Mitch Trzeciak’s first two innings were marred by ABS reversals—three challenges overturned, including a first-pitch ball—leaving him with five consecutive calls overturned and highlighting ABS as a tool to refine umpires’ strike zones.
The Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to a one-year, $12 million contract with Marcell Ozuna (pending a physical), adding a right-handed bat to bolster the lineup. Ozuna will earn $10.5 million in 2026 with a $1.5 million buyout on a $16 million mutual option for 2027. The 35-year-old had a down 2025 season (.232/.355/.400, 21 HR) hampered by a hip injury and declining bat speed, but Pittsburgh hopes he can produce as a designated hitter. The move pushes payroll to about $105 million, reshapes the lineup with Ozuna, O’Hearn, Lowe and Horwitz, and effectively ends Andrew McCutchen’s Pirates tenure while boosting odds for a wild-card push.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are considering re-signing franchise icon Andrew McCutchen for 2026, weighing his fit as a part-time DH and clubhouse leader as they assemble a more potent lineup. McCutchen, who hit .239/.333/.367 with 13 homers and a 95 wRC+ in 2025, would likely slot into a limited role behind newly signed DH/1B option Ryan O’Hearn (with Spencer Horwitz) rather than becoming a regular, with Cherington saying roster construction will determine whether they bring him back.
Milwaukee’s trade of Freddy Peralta removes a stabilizing ace and shakes up the NL Central, giving Pittsburgh a real opening to capitalize by building a more complete roster (Lowe, O’Hearn, Suárez) and stronger bullpen—turning Milwaukee’s momentary wobble into a true test of the Pirates’ willingness to contend.
The Steelers’ head-coach search is being conducted methodically, with early interviews of Scheelhaase and Shula and plans for in-person interviews during the Super Bowl bye week as they weigh McVay-tree candidates and others; the Penguins rely on extensive internal analytics for player development and opponent scouting, with some players questioning the public data and Evgeni Malkin possibly moving back to center; the Pirates are chasing offensive upgrades at third base, weighing free agents like Suarez against trades for prospects (Baty, Vientos) while navigating other roster moves and PiratesFest logistics.
The Philadelphia Phillies acquired right-hander Chase Shugart from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for minor-league infielder Francisco Loreto, adding bullpen depth for 2026. Shugart has appeared in 53 2/3 MLB innings with a 3.52 ERA and around 95 mph velocity, and can be optioned to the minors despite a full 40-man roster. Loreto, 18, slashed .237/.332/.396 in 2025 in the Pirates’ system and is a non-elite prospect returning to Pittsburgh.
Noah Hiles humorously compiles a Christmas wish list for Pittsburgh sports fans, requesting a playoff victory and a new quarterback for the Steelers, better ownership and more wins for the Penguins, significant investments for the Pirates, and improved rosters and facilities for Pitt and Penn State, along with some humorous and community-focused wishes for the city.
The Astros, Pirates, and Rays completed a three-team trade involving Brandon Lowe, Mike Burrows, Jacob Melton, and other prospects, with Lowe moving to Pittsburgh, Burrows to Houston, and Melton to Tampa, as each team aims to strengthen their roster through strategic trades.
Paul Skenes of the Pirates won the NL Cy Young Award unanimously, becoming the second pitcher to win it the year after earning Rookie of the Year, and joining a select group of pitchers with such achievements. He joins a list of notable NL Cy Young winners and is the third Pirates pitcher to win the award. Skenes's 10-10 record is among the fewest wins for a Cy Young winner in a full season, and he is the first to win unanimously since the award's current voting system was adopted in 2010.
Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates' ace, won the NL Cy Young Award unanimously in 2025, becoming the first Pirate since 1990 to do so and only the third in franchise history. At just 23, he led the NL in ERA, WHIP, FIP, and ERA+, and made history as the fifth youngest to win the award, demonstrating exceptional skill and a continuous drive to improve.
Pittsburgh Pirates' star pitcher Paul Skenes reportedly desires a trade to the New York Yankees, according to a former teammate, amid ongoing speculation about his future with the Pirates, who have no plans to trade him and see him as a key part of their team through 2026.
All-Star pitcher Paul Skenes has expressed a desire to be traded to the New York Yankees, citing concerns about the Pirates' competitiveness, and his comments have increased the likelihood of a future trade, with the Yankees seen as a prime destination.