Was slightly concerned about only having one lefty in the rotation. Heaney seemingly addresses that. Could be viewed as a depth move: a lot of the pitchers on the staff are young and full of potential, some with past injuries (Ashcraft, Oviedo). This allows them to not rely on them too heavily for innings right out of the gate.
Or if you want to strap on your conspiracy hat, this could make it more digestible to move a young arm for an outfield bat.
Neither? Oviedo probably goes to the bullpen or starts in AAA to work back then. Guess we will see how quickly he gets into games this spring, if at all.
Yeah, I recall him being high on my list of potential realistic targets the first time he was a FA, and probably the second time too. Hopefully better late than never.
In a vacuum, this is a good deal... for a team that needs a starting pitcher. It is exactly what I expected Cherington to do once February rolled around, and the Pirates had done nothing. Instead of going out and signing 1 player to fill a position of need, he signs a bunch of players who don't fill any observable need or who fit into a position of need but stink. This is $10.5 million now on 3 players who don't make the Pirates a better team.
Now... everyone tell me again how the Pirates couldn't possibly hope to sign a guy like Grichuk or Laureano or whoever... even Conforto for that matter. They waste 10-15 million every offseason on luxuries and over-the-hill bums.
So... a late June callup for Chandler to get that extra half-season pre-arbitration. OK, but don't try to tell me that it makes the Pirates better this season than signing a real OFer would have or signing a nuts reliever over more "depth" starters. Don't get me wrong, I like Heaney, but you have Harrington, Ashcraft, Oviedo, et al as "depth." I think getting a real OFer or another backend bullpen piece was far more important than adding more depth at starting pitcher.
They definitely need a better hitter or a young guy with a lot of potential (don't see them paying for a real proven bat). I want them to go for Ronny Mauricio, not sure how he'll do against lefties but think he's going to crush right handers. He has a none zero chance at short but could become a very good player almost every where else (except pitcher or catcher).
If the goal is to win 77 games and point to the one-game improvement as a sign of "progress" in order to keep your job, then... sure... fill the roster with as many depth pieces as you can find cheap.
If the goal is to win the division and get to the playoffs, then you need to have a real lineup and your best 5 starting on day 1. If it gets to the point where the Pirate are using their 9th or 10th starter because of injuries, they are not going to make the playoffs. Their only chance is to stay reasonably healthy.
I'm not disagreeing with you, the front office did almost nothing this off-season to really help them be a playoff contender.
I wanted them to sign Q as lefty starter, Heaney is a good alternative. It let's them use Falter as a long man or even use a 6 man rotation with 4 RHPers and 2 LHPers. They had only Keller from last go a lot of innings and even he might have tired out in the second half.
They had depth but it was pretty much all right handed with the exception of Falter.
So... 3 guys who can fill depth roles as starters, and 1 guy who could be a #1 or #2. I sure can see the screaming need at starting pitcher over the OF and bullpen.
If there is a trade incoming for Ashcraft or something, then it all makes sense, but I will bet dollars to donuts that no such trade will happen today or any day. Instead, when the Pirates are 5 game back and 3 games under .500 at the end of July, they will trade some rando 3 random A-ball lottery guys for 2 AAAA players for even more depth.
1) Roberts is owed $15 million this season with $20 million club options the next 2 seasons. Do you think that the Pirates are going to pay him $20 million?
2) Roberts, on his current contract and with his injury history, has a surplus value of about 0. All of those players that you list have more surplus value. I wouldn't trade any of them for Roberts. The Pirates could have signed a free agent OFer better than Roberts for the same price.
EL has his picks to click for making the top 100 in 2026 and his picks include Griffin and Alfonzo. He also has a new section this year of picks to click for '27 and his list includes Matoma. So, three guys who receive a lot of love from this site.
I got to sit and watch him take batting practice in Greensboro, and my goodness, that guy could really put a jolt into the ball. Plus he was fast. The tools were certainly there, just could never come close to hitting enough
"Spencer Horwitz had his sutures removed and has begun left-handed hitting (with just one hand). He’s also fielding groundballs and is still on track for his 6-8 week timeline."
That's a good question because the timeline hasn't changed in the 10 days since the news broke. Reminds me of the timeline for when we can expect to contend--it just stays at "next year".
Today’s is boring. Hayes will start at 3B. Triolo will be in a super utility role, possibly seeing April action at 1B. Solak is technically more of a 2B but there will be PLENTY of guys there tomorrow. He’d need an injury or two plus a big spring to make the OD roster.
Read an article from Stumph on Cruz over at mlb.com. There was an interesting note about Pham playing with Cruz this past winter and how Pham said that he is going to be all over him to make sure he reaches his potential. Not sure if this is the impetus for the signing, but it’s definitely a tangential benefit that I wasn’t thinking about specifically.
Saw a Cruz interview and he stated Pham asked him to tell Pirates he'd like to play for them, while they were working out together in the DR. So Cruz was the impetus for bringing both sides to the table.
I liked that too, and was also impressed that Pham was playing winter ball in the DR. Maybe that shouldn't have been surprising given reports of how seriously he takes his game, but how many veterans not from the DR go down there to play winter ball?
That's plausible, but based on the story at the PG, perhaps he played some too:
"While Cruz was playing a handful of games for Tigres del Licey of the Dominican Professional Baseball League, he met up with Tommy Pham, who suited up for Leones del Escogido. The reason Cruz even knew Pham in the first place was because of a mutual connection in former Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco.
“We were having a conversation, and Tommy was telling me, ‘Talk to your people. I want to sign with the Pirates,’ ” Cruz said with major league coach Stephen Morales translating before continuing, “ ‘I'll be happy to tell them and even happier if you sign with us.’ ”"
Yeah I really enjoyed reading about that. I am no in support of the Pham signing but if he’s a good clubhouse/cruz influence with an OPS >.700 and better D in left than Reynolds (all seem fairly easily obtainable) then it’s fine enough i suppose
Hard to keep kids off the field! Fielding with his good hand (Left) is alright with me, but swinging LH with the Left hand only does not seem very productive at all.
Were you kidding about the last part of Stratton's rehab being fielding practice? I am sure it is probably on the list of requirements, just as sure as I am that they will skip that if he is needed in the BP.
Good news about Dauri Moreta being on-schedule.
Who will start at 1B for the Pirates until Spencer Horwitz returns? What does our MI look like - any new faces taking reps at either SS or 2B? Is Ke'Bryan Hayes still looking good?
He was not kidding about the fielding practice for Stratton. That was in the PG article as well. I would expect that coming off major knee surgery that would be one of the last things a pitcher would work on, seeing as how that's how he injured it in the first place.
Thanks Scott - I was hoping for different answers in #1 and #2, but it is what it is. Thrilled about Ke'Bryan Hayes. The back issues seem like a continuing condition that he will have to address on a full time basis year round - diet, targeted physical exercises, and therapy. Still a youngster at 28 with phenomenal defensive chops! Just needs to figure out the mystery of staying on the field.
Just writing this I am thinking about how reactive and quick twitch it is playing at 3B. Can we take some of that physical stress away by moving him over to 2B? Would it be wise to give that a shot for a percentage of games played? With a guy like Triolo available to play 3B, could it be a worthwhile approach, especially in cold weather months like April and May?
My God, I wouldn't put it past this coaching staff! That's where Tomzyck or Hague needs to step in and shut it down. Swinging with the trail arm only is bound to mess up his swing......ughh.
Was slightly concerned about only having one lefty in the rotation. Heaney seemingly addresses that. Could be viewed as a depth move: a lot of the pitchers on the staff are young and full of potential, some with past injuries (Ashcraft, Oviedo). This allows them to not rely on them too heavily for innings right out of the gate.
Or if you want to strap on your conspiracy hat, this could make it more digestible to move a young arm for an outfield bat.
Regardless, I like the move
Pirates are signing LHP Andrew Heaney for $5M.
I assume that sets the rotation. Kinda weird, but Heaney's pretty solid. Not a BDLC sort of thing.
So who’s getting traded, Oviedo, Keller?
Neither? Oviedo probably goes to the bullpen or starts in AAA to work back then. Guess we will see how quickly he gets into games this spring, if at all.
Does Oviedo have an option left?
Yes
Then sounds like the easy solution to build his arm strength back up.
Yep
Does Oviedo have an option left? He could be a 60,day candidate if not to get him work in Indy coming off the TJ I do not see a trade happening.
That’s too clever for Ben.
The next move will be to sign a backup catcher.
Resign Grandal, resign Grandal….just for the 5-7 HR bat flips, love those!
I kinda like it. PNC might bring his era under 4.00.
Hope they go get Ronny Mauricio from the Mets now for a young arm not named Bubba or Thomas.
How in the world has Heaney already put in 10 big league seasons. I feel like he was relevant at least three Marlins-trade-stud-arm cycles ago.
Yeah, I recall him being high on my list of potential realistic targets the first time he was a FA, and probably the second time too. Hopefully better late than never.
In a vacuum, this is a good deal... for a team that needs a starting pitcher. It is exactly what I expected Cherington to do once February rolled around, and the Pirates had done nothing. Instead of going out and signing 1 player to fill a position of need, he signs a bunch of players who don't fill any observable need or who fit into a position of need but stink. This is $10.5 million now on 3 players who don't make the Pirates a better team.
Now... everyone tell me again how the Pirates couldn't possibly hope to sign a guy like Grichuk or Laureano or whoever... even Conforto for that matter. They waste 10-15 million every offseason on luxuries and over-the-hill bums.
I actually like this signing, just need Billy Cook in left field when Heaney starts in PNC.
So... a late June callup for Chandler to get that extra half-season pre-arbitration. OK, but don't try to tell me that it makes the Pirates better this season than signing a real OFer would have or signing a nuts reliever over more "depth" starters. Don't get me wrong, I like Heaney, but you have Harrington, Ashcraft, Oviedo, et al as "depth." I think getting a real OFer or another backend bullpen piece was far more important than adding more depth at starting pitcher.
They definitely need a better hitter or a young guy with a lot of potential (don't see them paying for a real proven bat). I want them to go for Ronny Mauricio, not sure how he'll do against lefties but think he's going to crush right handers. He has a none zero chance at short but could become a very good player almost every where else (except pitcher or catcher).
If the goal is to win 77 games and point to the one-game improvement as a sign of "progress" in order to keep your job, then... sure... fill the roster with as many depth pieces as you can find cheap.
If the goal is to win the division and get to the playoffs, then you need to have a real lineup and your best 5 starting on day 1. If it gets to the point where the Pirate are using their 9th or 10th starter because of injuries, they are not going to make the playoffs. Their only chance is to stay reasonably healthy.
I'm not disagreeing with you, the front office did almost nothing this off-season to really help them be a playoff contender.
I wanted them to sign Q as lefty starter, Heaney is a good alternative. It let's them use Falter as a long man or even use a 6 man rotation with 4 RHPers and 2 LHPers. They had only Keller from last go a lot of innings and even he might have tired out in the second half.
They had depth but it was pretty much all right handed with the exception of Falter.
I disagree he doesn’t make the team better. You can’t have enough pitching depth. Luxury? Yes. Over the hill bum? No.
AAA Rotation
Harrington
Ashcraft
Bubba
Burrows
Oviedo
So... 3 guys who can fill depth roles as starters, and 1 guy who could be a #1 or #2. I sure can see the screaming need at starting pitcher over the OF and bullpen.
If there is a trade incoming for Ashcraft or something, then it all makes sense, but I will bet dollars to donuts that no such trade will happen today or any day. Instead, when the Pirates are 5 game back and 3 games under .500 at the end of July, they will trade some rando 3 random A-ball lottery guys for 2 AAAA players for even more depth.
so many signs that we are going to make a move for Luis Robert
Michael Taylor signs with the white sox
Reynolds moves to right field
Cavernous left field at PNC requiring another center field qualified outfielder
Heaney signed for rotation depth
Seems that Ashcraft and/or Harrington are on the way to Chicago with Suwinski as a throw in
Just comes down if we cave to Chicago´s demands to include Termarr
BC said on record he has two or three deals set if he wanted to pull the trigger
I hope he holds out and keeps Termarr
1) Roberts is owed $15 million this season with $20 million club options the next 2 seasons. Do you think that the Pirates are going to pay him $20 million?
2) Roberts, on his current contract and with his injury history, has a surplus value of about 0. All of those players that you list have more surplus value. I wouldn't trade any of them for Roberts. The Pirates could have signed a free agent OFer better than Roberts for the same price.
no I think they will trade him after a solid 2025
that is what a crafty team would do
Or, some of those dudes starting in AAA are mid-season bullpen additions (Oviedo, Burrows, Ashcraft).
I wish they did more to address the lineup, but pitching and defense are important, too! Not sure about our defense, but they’ve got arms aplenty!
Let’s hope the offense improves organically. Cruz entering his prime, adding Endy and potential wildcards like Yorke, Davis, Suwinski, Cook (!)…. Hope springs eternal!
EL has his picks to click for making the top 100 in 2026 and his picks include Griffin and Alfonzo. He also has a new section this year of picks to click for '27 and his list includes Matoma. So, three guys who receive a lot of love from this site.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/picks-to-click-who-i-expect-to-make-the-2026-top-100/
RIP Scott Sauerbeck
RIP Mike Lange as well.
Elvis has left the building
Pirates released a bunch of int’l guys. Most recognizable names were probably Sergio Campana and Kevison Hernandez.
Campana, the promised that never was.
I got to sit and watch him take batting practice in Greensboro, and my goodness, that guy could really put a jolt into the ball. Plus he was fast. The tools were certainly there, just could never come close to hitting enough
Not Kevison!
YOU BASTARDS!!!
"Spencer Horwitz had his sutures removed and has begun left-handed hitting (with just one hand). He’s also fielding groundballs and is still on track for his 6-8 week timeline."
6-8 weeks from what date?
From the date that’s 6-8 weeks before he returns.
That's a good question because the timeline hasn't changed in the 10 days since the news broke. Reminds me of the timeline for when we can expect to contend--it just stays at "next year".
Looks like the earliest would-be March 27th and the latest would-be April 10th.
Setbacks aside, worst case scenario, he'll be in Pittsburgh around April 24th, after a couple weeks of rehabbing in AA & AAA.
Still on track for his 6-8 weeks sounds like it's from Feb 12th. I'd say since it was a positive update, he's now basically 5-7 weeks away
Third Basemen
Ke’Bryan Hayes…100%
Jared Triolo……….100%
Nick Solak…………….5%
Today’s is boring. Hayes will start at 3B. Triolo will be in a super utility role, possibly seeing April action at 1B. Solak is technically more of a 2B but there will be PLENTY of guys there tomorrow. He’d need an injury or two plus a big spring to make the OD roster.
Read an article from Stumph on Cruz over at mlb.com. There was an interesting note about Pham playing with Cruz this past winter and how Pham said that he is going to be all over him to make sure he reaches his potential. Not sure if this is the impetus for the signing, but it’s definitely a tangential benefit that I wasn’t thinking about specifically.
Saw a Cruz interview and he stated Pham asked him to tell Pirates he'd like to play for them, while they were working out together in the DR. So Cruz was the impetus for bringing both sides to the table.
I liked that too, and was also impressed that Pham was playing winter ball in the DR. Maybe that shouldn't have been surprising given reports of how seriously he takes his game, but how many veterans not from the DR go down there to play winter ball?
I got the impression it was just workouts in the DR, not organized Winter Ball.
That's plausible, but based on the story at the PG, perhaps he played some too:
"While Cruz was playing a handful of games for Tigres del Licey of the Dominican Professional Baseball League, he met up with Tommy Pham, who suited up for Leones del Escogido. The reason Cruz even knew Pham in the first place was because of a mutual connection in former Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco.
“We were having a conversation, and Tommy was telling me, ‘Talk to your people. I want to sign with the Pirates,’ ” Cruz said with major league coach Stephen Morales translating before continuing, “ ‘I'll be happy to tell them and even happier if you sign with us.’ ”"
Greg Brown is gonna shit himself with joy the two times he gets to call a Tommy Pham home run.
I’ll take the over on that one.
Yeah I really enjoyed reading about that. I am no in support of the Pham signing but if he’s a good clubhouse/cruz influence with an OPS >.700 and better D in left than Reynolds (all seem fairly easily obtainable) then it’s fine enough i suppose
I thought and think Pham was a decent signing as an addition to the 26-man roster. As our only OF upgrade? That's a bit disappointing.
Last I checked Verdugo hasn't signed with anyone. The question is would you believe he is an upgrade?
Hard to keep kids off the field! Fielding with his good hand (Left) is alright with me, but swinging LH with the Left hand only does not seem very productive at all.
Were you kidding about the last part of Stratton's rehab being fielding practice? I am sure it is probably on the list of requirements, just as sure as I am that they will skip that if he is needed in the BP.
Good news about Dauri Moreta being on-schedule.
Who will start at 1B for the Pirates until Spencer Horwitz returns? What does our MI look like - any new faces taking reps at either SS or 2B? Is Ke'Bryan Hayes still looking good?
He was not kidding about the fielding practice for Stratton. That was in the PG article as well. I would expect that coming off major knee surgery that would be one of the last things a pitcher would work on, seeing as how that's how he injured it in the first place.
Yeah the one-handed batting practice sounds dumb to me too.
As for your questions in last paragraph , the correct answers are:
1. Hall
2. IKF & Nick G
3. Best shape of life for Hayes
Thanks Scott - I was hoping for different answers in #1 and #2, but it is what it is. Thrilled about Ke'Bryan Hayes. The back issues seem like a continuing condition that he will have to address on a full time basis year round - diet, targeted physical exercises, and therapy. Still a youngster at 28 with phenomenal defensive chops! Just needs to figure out the mystery of staying on the field.
Just writing this I am thinking about how reactive and quick twitch it is playing at 3B. Can we take some of that physical stress away by moving him over to 2B? Would it be wise to give that a shot for a percentage of games played? With a guy like Triolo available to play 3B, could it be a worthwhile approach, especially in cold weather months like April and May?
There’s no way he was taking “batting practice” with one-hand, that had to be a drill.
My God, I wouldn't put it past this coaching staff! That's where Tomzyck or Hague needs to step in and shut it down. Swinging with the trail arm only is bound to mess up his swing......ughh.
On the contrary. One-hand drills are extremely common in hitter development.
With the lead hand....no?
yes. certainly off a tee. small bats are used throughout baseball for these one hand drills.
i heard it was against live pitch, A-ballers, and they also made him do it with his right eye closed.
Why not? It’s working for all their other hitters.
I want to see some Jobu shit. sacrifice some animals, burn some sage.
Ben has a new Asst. Deputy GM for Calculating WARV (wins above replacement voodoo).
On one foot too?
Running in the sand uphill like a military drill. Remember that 10 years ago
HOO-WAH!
while smoking a cigarette.
And saying the alphabet backwards...