Bucs Dugout
An unofficial Pittsburgh Pirates blog
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Why Pirates need to re-sign Brandon Lowe
The Pittsburgh Pirates face a pivotal free‑agency decision on second baseman Brandon Lowe, one of the league’s top hitting free agents per Bleacher Report. With a potential $23.15 million qualifying offer on the table, the Pirates could keep Lowe for another season or receive draft‑pick compensation if he leaves. At 32 and injury‑prone, Lowe may reject the QO to chase a longer deal, while his departure would create a sizable hole in Pittsburgh’s lineup and threaten the playoff momentum built in recent years. Fans weigh whether re‑signing Lowe is the best path forward.
Pirates should have hope after Brewers’ World Series championship
The Milwaukee Brewers clinched their first World Series title by defeating the Tampa Bay Rays, highlighting how low‑payroll teams can dominate the league. With a $146.2 million budget (19th in MLB), the Brewers and Rays (ranked 30th) outperformed big‑spending clubs. The Pittsburgh Pirates, sitting at $106.7 million (23rd) and finishing 82‑80 – their best record since 2018 – broke an eight‑year streak of losing seasons. After boosting their payroll from $84.4 million in 2025 and adding players like Ryan O’Hearn and Brandon Lowe, they improved by 11 wins. Continued smart spending could push the Pirates toward their first playoff run since 2015.
Pirates need to add a veteran starting pitcher
The Pittsburgh Pirates wrapped a 82-80 season with a solid but youthful rotation—Paul Skenes (10-11, 3.82 ERA), Jared Jones, Braxton Ashcraft (14-6, 3.65 ERA) and Bubba Chandler—sparking calls for veteran depth. Writer Bucs Dugout advocates signing a free‑agent starter like Nick Martinez, who posted a 3.10 ERA and league‑lowest 1.30 BB/9 in the Rays' World Series run, or Michael King, who rebounded to 3.21 ERA over 32 starts for San Diego and may opt out of his $75 M deal. While pricier options such as Freddy Peralta or Tarik Skubal exist, adding experienced arms could stabilize the rotation and protect the team’s young talent.
World Series matchup doesn’t change need for salary cap/floor system
With the Brewers one win away from their first World Series title, the article argues that the current small‑market showdown – Milwaukee (19th payroll at $146 M) vs. Tampa Bay (28th at $95 M) – underscores the need for a baseball salary cap and floor. It highlights how only three teams since 2000 have won the World Series from outside the top‑15 payrolls, notes the stark contrast between the Dodgers’ $412 M payroll and Cleveland’s $74 M, and points to other sports where caps promote parity. The piece warns that a single small‑market triumph won’t fix systemic inequality without structural change.
Pirate hire former Astros pitching coach for Minor Leagues
The Pittsburgh Pirates have hired former Houston Astros Triple‑A pitching coach Sean Buchanan to work with their upper‑level Minor League staff, according to The Athletic. Buchanan, who helped the Sugar Land Space Cowboys post the fewest runs allowed, a 4.97 ERA and a league‑best nine shutouts in the PCL, joins longtime Astros pitching mentor Bill Murphy in Pittsburgh. His five‑year stint with the Astros organization also includes roles at Double‑A Corpus Christi, High‑A Asheville and Astros Blue. The move marks the second recent Astros coach hired by the Bucs and could position Buchanan for a future major‑league role.
Three things the Pirates need to have a successful offseason
The Pirates’ 2026 turnaround—82 wins, a record‑setting 35 homers by Brandon Lowe—won’t last without an aggressive offseason. The article argues three must‑dos: re‑sign 32‑year‑old power hitter Brandon Lowe, whose Gold Glove finalist season (35 HR, 96 RBI, .260 avg) makes him the franchise’s top threat; add a quality right‑handed bat like former Astros third‑baseman Isaac Paredes (25 HR, .262 avg, .807 OPS) to shore up middle‑lineup pop and address left‑handed pitching woes; and acquire a left‑handed starter, citing Foster Griffin (3.60 ERA, 15 wins, recent All‑Star) as a potential fit after Mitch Keller’s decline. These moves aim to cement Pittsburgh’s rise into a playoff contender for 2027.
Come chat the Rays vs. Brewers World Series with Bucs Dugout!
The Tampa Bay Rays face the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of the 2026 World Series on Oct. 23 at American Family Field, marking the first championship chance for both clubs. The Brewers advanced by sweeping the Dodgers after beating the Padres, while the Rays swept the Yankees and defeated the Guardians in six games. Pitchers Nick Marinez (Rays) and Jacob Misiorowski (Brewers) will start, with the matchup broadcast on FOX and the FOX One app. The post also notes the Pirates’ season‑series win over Milwaukee and a recent trade that sent reliever Mason Montgomery to Tampa Bay.
Some pending free agents the Pirates could consider re-signing
The Pirates face key free‑agent decisions as the 2027 offseason begins. Second baseman Brandon Lowe, a gold‑glove finalist who led Pittsburgh in RBIs and homers after a power‑poor 2025, will likely demand a big contract, forcing the front office to weigh his veteran leadership against budget limits. Reliever Gregory Soto, who posted a 3.63 ERA and 27.7% strikeout rate in 2026 and logged 16 saves, is also set to hit free agency, offering potential bullpen depth in the seventh and eighth innings. Veteran Kirby Yates retires, leaving only Lowe and Soto as the critical re‑sign targets.
Murf Gray named Pirates Willie Stargell Slugger of the Year
Murf Gray earns the Pirates’ Willie Stargell Slugger of the Year award after a breakout 2026 debut. The 22‑year‑old hit 32 homers—leading all Pittsburgh minor leaguers—while posting a .305/.402/.567 slash line, .969 OPS, 143 hits, 97 RBIs and 66 walks across Bradenton, Greensboro and Altoona. Drafted from Fresno State in 2025, Gray led the South Atlantic League in total bases and homers before his promotion to Double‑A. Baseball America names him the organization’s top 2026 prospect; MLB.com ranks him fourth. Projected to debut in 2027, he could compete for third base in spring training.
Pirates have another offseason trade idea with Astros
The Pirates, after a successful 2026 season with former Astros acquisitions Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum, and Mason Montgomery, may pursue another deal with Houston. Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller proposes swapping Astros third‑baseman Isaac Paredes—who can also play second base—for a spot the Pirates need as Lowe heads free agency after a 35‑home‑run, 150‑game campaign. With the Astros flush with infield talent, including a returning Carlos Correa, the trade could benefit both clubs, prompting Pittsburgh to reopen talks this offseason.
Pirates Jared Triolo named Gold Glove finalist
Utility infielder Jared Triolo makes the Rawlings Gold Glove finalist list for the third straight year, joining Maricio Dubón and Ildemaro Vargas as the National League’s top utility defenders. Triolo logged 527.2 innings at shortstop (4 DRS) and 260.1 innings at third base (5 DRS, .975 fielding %, two errors), plus spots at first, right and center field. His versatile defense helped the Pirates after rookie Konnor Griffin’s injury, and he joins fellow Pirate Brandon Lowe, a second‑base finalist. The winners will be revealed on November 1.
Pirates sign Minor League outfielder to two-year deal
The Pittsburgh Pirates are wasting no time in the offseason, already making moves to firm up their Minor League rosters, when it was announced over the weekend that they signed outfielder and Gibsonia native Kyler Fedko to a two-year Minor League contract. Fedko is coming off of a torn ACL and MCL, but he expects […]
Pirates Brandon Lowe named Gold Glove finalist
Rawlings has announced the Gold Glove finalists for the 2026 season at each position group in both the American and National Leagues. Pittsburgh Pirates star second baseman Brando Lowe is up for the award which would be his first gold glove of his career. The finalists are coming from The National League Central. Lowe, alongside […]
Pirates must brace losing Brandon Lowe in free agency
Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe was a massive boost for the team in his first season with the Bucs. After being acquired in a three-team trade with the Tampa Bay Rays and Houston Astros in the offseason, Lowe had arguably the best statistical season of his career in 2026. Lowe had a batting average […]
How Pirates performed vs. MLB’s Final Four this season
The Pittsburgh Pirates are on the couch watching the LCS once again this season. It’s been 34 years since the Pirates were in the NLCS themselves, where they lost to the Atlanta Braves in seven games. This season, however, they managed to play pretty well against the top teams in the league. Here’s a look […]
Pirates 2026 season in review: Best of the prospects
The Pittsburgh Pirates finished with a top-15 farm system in baseball after opening up the year as the preseason third-best farm system in Major League Baseball. Throughout their minor league ranks there were several standout players and names to be looking for as their careers progress. Triple-A Indianapolis Ronny Simon was named the Indianapolis Indians […]
Pirates 2026 season in review: Starting rotation
This group was supposed to be the strength of the team coming into this year, but they ended up with an up-and-down season and were not nearly as dominant as we all hoped. Paul Skenes The issues started with Pittsburgh’s ace. Coming off of a Cy Young season, Skenes was expected to dominate once again. […]
Bill Mazeroski’s walk-off remains greatest home run in baseball history
66 years ago today, Bill Mazeroski made history that baseball will never, ever forget. On October 13, 1960, Mazeroski hit the most famous home run in baseball history. Mazeroski walked-off the powerful New York Yankees at Forbes Field with a shot over the left field wall in Game 7 of the World Series. The Pirates […]
Pirates 2026 season in review: Catchers
The 2026 Pittsburgh Pirates experienced an up-and-down relationship with their catching rotation. Three catchers made a significant impact on a club that finished 82-80, the team’s best record since 2018. All three will likely return in 2027, if there is a season, to patrol the Pirates’ backstop. Pittsburgh received a mix bag of production depending […]
Pirates 2026 season in review: Outfielders
The Pittsburgh Pirates outfield in 2026 had a few consistent pieces, but overall this was a group that saw a lot of turnover and a lot of opportunities for young players to prove their worth. The mainstays One of the more impressive stat lines this year has to do with the former All-Star Bryan Reynolds. […]
Pirates 2026 season in review: Bullpen
The Pirates season has come to a close finishing 82-80. The offense was the big story for the club this season with how dynamic and dominant they were at the plate. The pitching wasn’t terrible, but it also wasn’t the best in the league, let’s take a look at the Pirates bullpen this season. The […]
Pirates 2026 season in review: Infielders
The Pittsburgh Pirates infield in 2026 was comprised of a balanced mix of All-Star caliber players and average rotational pieces. Best of the best starters Pittsburgh’s infield as a whole was a position group that in 2026 had several marquee players. The most explosive of these players was second baseman Brandon Lowe. After being acquired […]
Mason Montgomery is Pirates breakout star for 2026
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Mason Montgomery made the most of his first season with the team. Montgomery made 70 appearances for the Pirates this season, recording a 6-4 record with a 2.88 ERA and 68.2 innings pitched. His efforts made him the biggest surprise of the year, according to Bleacher Report writer Joel Reuter. “The […]
Pirates urged to make trade with division rival
The Pittsburgh Pirates are sitting at home for the playoffs, but their 82-80 record from the season suggests that they are close to playing in October. It might only take one or two more moves to get there in 2027, especially if they make a big splash. Bleacher Report contributor Kerry Miller suggests the Pirates […]
Pirates Wyatt Sanford kicks off Arizona Fall League with big homer
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Wyatt Sanford got going the Arizona Fall League over the weekend, blasting a huge homer in a Glendale loss to the Salt River Rafters. Sanford cranked a cutter to an 100mph exit velocity. Check out the homer: The Desert Dogs ended up losing this one and are now off to an 0-2 […]
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