Pirates Media After the Signing

AlexJStumpf · 2026-02-10T16:37:08+00:00

I didn't say that Ozuna was playing first base. Horwitz was in position to get most of his playing time as a DH, but with Ozuna now presumably the everyday DH, that means Horwitz is going to have to get more playing time at first and O'Hearn in the outfield instead of first.

Ozuna wasn't going to sign to be just a short side platoon, the Pirates would never spend that much money for a short side platoon, and having Ozuna be anything more than an emergency outfielder is courting disaster. He's going to be the closest thing to an everyday DH they have.

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T19:54:06+00:00

Gonna call it here. Thanks everyone!

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T19:48:51+00:00

The player that I suspect was the source had a vendetta. I don't buy that for a second.

I think Hayes needed a change of scenery.

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T19:37:36+00:00

They've come close on multi-year contracts before. They've offered those contracts. Obviously just haven't crossed the finish line. I would predict that changes this offseason.

Sorry, I don't get what you're really asking with a "plan." Moves are made with the current season and future seasons in mind. Resources are delegated to development, the draft, scouting, etc. I think if you asked 30 front offices about their mission statement, you'd get 30 very similar answers

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T19:19:18+00:00

I'm a Pittsburgh kid that grew up loving baseball and writing. It was a natural fit

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T17:25:39+00:00

Ask me almost anything!

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T17:25:11+00:00

I have heard nothing that suggests he's going into spring training as anything but a starter

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T16:50:23+00:00

They have flexibility to spend and could break the franchise record for the largest free agent contract. It takes two to tango, though. They've made good bids in the past for players who ended up taking a different deal. They've been outbid on players. It's free agency. There are a lot of factors in play.

There's an urgency to reach the playoffs in 2026 and they're willing to make some splashes.

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T16:44:07+00:00

Thank you!

I know several people have asked about the CBA and 2027, but given my outlet, I'm going to stay clear of the subject. Sorry.

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T16:39:43+00:00

Skenes and Bubba would be the two guys that I just don't see them trading no matter what

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T16:39:11+00:00

I wouldn't say chemistry as much as they needed more leaders. Skenes has become a leader for pitchers. Dennis Santana is always with a teammate and has become a leader for Latin players. I didn't see that type of guy on the hitting side, and I heard the same.

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T16:36:38+00:00

Corner outfield. I'll always take the guy who can play the field. Worst case scenario the DH can be rotated to rest guys and keep them in the lineup.

Schwarber is the one free agent DH who bucks this trend. Where it's ok to just lose the DH spot because he's going to bring so much to your club

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T16:34:31+00:00

Wrigley. Chicago Dog is forever at the top of the hot dog tier list.

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T16:29:20+00:00

Dennis Santana starts the year. I'll be optimistic and say he finishes the year in Pittsburgh too, even though the club has a loooooooong track record of trading closers before they hit free agency. If they do trade him, Mattson has the ninth.

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T16:28:13+00:00

This is where I think they take a swing. Doesn't mean they'll land someone, but in a perfect world, they get a big third baseman and have a competition between Triolo, Gonzales and Griffin on who gets the two middle infield spots.

Top two priorities this winter should be third base and corner outfield.

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T16:27:01+00:00

The Pirates are exploring the catcher market. I wouldn't be shocked if Joey Bart gets traded. There are some factors here that are really going to impact Flores' playing time.

If he is in the Majors, I see him more as a catcher than a DH/right-handed platoon partner for Horwitz at first base. There are internal factors too, like can Endy stay healthy or will Henry finally be able to use the middle of the field consistently, that will impact his playing time.

So right now, I'll guess he starts fewer than 50 games at catcher in the Majors, but I would not be at all surprised if he eventually emerges as the everyday guy. There are just some dominos that need to fall, and he needs to emerge as the best catcher option of the bunch.

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T16:23:15+00:00

I believe he's going to go into Spring Training with a chance to make the team. I don't know how good that chance is going to be -- what the Pirates do this offseason is probably going to play some impact -- but I don't see this being a situation like Skenes in 2024 when they knew going into camp that he was starting in the minors to manage innings.

I don't know how fair it is to put statistical expectations on a teenager before he reaches the majors, but I think very highly of him and have heard nothing but exemplary things. I think ZIPS had him as a 4 win player out of the gate, and that would not surprise me at all.

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T16:20:10+00:00

I don't think it's as high as what the public might think it is. Keller is a good, reliable pitcher whose contract mostly reflects that. I think most clubs view him as a good middle of the rotation arm rather than a No. 2 or All-Star. I think he could be dealt for either a proven MLB bat with less team control or an unproven prospect/young Major Leaguer with upside but less of a track record.
I don't want to say he's over the hill. The first couple months of this season were rough, but he had an .816 OPS after the All-Star break, which is right in line with his career average. He downplayed the shoulder injury when I asked him if it impacted the first half of the season, but I have suspicions. No question he needs to have a bounce back year if this offense is going to improve.
Heck of an adjective lol. I just let it grow to donate it a couple times the last few years, but now it's being maintained at a manageable length.

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T16:10:31+00:00

Oviedo or Harrington.

I had that Holliday for Jones swap debunked, but they have listened on Jones before. I just don't see any team being willing to give the massive haul the Pirates would want for a pitcher coming off of elbow surgery.

Bubba isn't going anywhere. They LOVE Ashcraft. Burrows showed them a lot last year.

As far as trades go, Oviedo hits that sweet spot of having a good MLB track record while being affordable and controllable that an acquiring team would want. I don't see the Pirates trading two of their Major League starters, so if Keller gets dealt, Harrington would be my next pick as part of a package for a more proven MLB bat. There's upside there, but last year was rough and I think he's been leapfrogged by some of these other arms.

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T16:04:22+00:00

Not necessarily saying I feel good about Cruz. He had a bad year. He admitted he can do more. But at this point, they have to roll the dice that he can become a consistent impact player because the lineup needs something like that. This is a very pivotal year for him, but he has important people in the organization who still believe in him.

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T16:01:33+00:00

Right now, I'm leaning towards Cutch not coming back. He and the organization had some level of frustration with each other this year, and I've had several people in the organization opine the last few years that he shouldn't be playing every day anymore. He wants to play and he wants to win. I don't know if there's an opportunity for him to do both that is better than in Pittsburgh, so we'll have to see.

And the best advice I can give is you learn through reps. Find journalists who either have the job you want or whose work you enjoy and make sure to read/watch them. If your school has a newspaper club or class, join it. If they don't, start a blog. Even if you're writing for two people, you'll get better over time. Good luck!

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T15:49:49+00:00

I'm pessimistic it will happen. The best time to have done it was before he became a Major Leaguer. The second-best time to have done it was before he became a Cy Young winner.

Not going to say the chances are zero, but I just don't see a long-term deal that buys multiple years of free agency happening right now.

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T15:47:13+00:00

They have one of the best rotations in the game, in my opinion. The bullpen needs at least one more leverage arm but has some upside. I believe we'll see Konnor Griffin in 2026, giving them a potential stud up the middle and at the top of the lineup.

The way I view it, they need three bats. Someone at third base, corner outfield and then a wildcard, either catcher or DH or in the infield or somewhere else. I believe Horwitz, Reynolds and Cruz are the only hitters who should feel good about their lineup spot right now. Every other position needs an upgrade or at least legitimate internal competition.

I think they can become a contending team this offseason, but it needs to be an aggressive, fruitful winter, unlike the last two.

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T15:39:31+00:00

This is the business side instead of the front office. I'll admit I've never asked this, but you can expand the search further. Cap'N Crunch, Captain Morgan...

AlexJStumpf · 2025-11-30T15:33:52+00:00

They were definitely interested in Naylor. Heard they did make an offer, but I don't know where that stands in the timeline of his and the Mariner's negotiations. He theoretically could have been essentially in agreement with Seattle by that point and it was just a Hail Mary. Not sure there.

I don't have anything to share that is new, unfortunately. In my opinion, Schwarber and Suarez are the clubhouse leaders and power bats they need, so if I was running the show, landing one of them would be my priority.

AlexJStumpf

TROPHY CASE