Konnor Griffin will be a great player one day, but when you consider that he slugged under .100 against fastballs this spring and these were his fastball whiffs… I can see why he didn’t make the Opening Day team. I talked about it for today’s OffBeat: northshorenine.com/the-pirates-...

Cook and Yorke have won the last two roster spots

In my first OffBeat, I talked about how Konnor hadn’t hit fastballs this spring and how the Pirates look at that before they promote players to the Majors. I guess I’m surprised, but not shocked. He’ll be in the Majors soon enough

I just didn’t see a spot for Garcia after the Ozuna signing. He needed reps and he couldn’t do that as a fourth outfielder. Callihan…is more interesting. Especially since it’s one less infielder in camp

Can’t help but think that playing time factored into this. After missing most of the last two years, Endy needs to play. Easier to do that in Indy than being a backup in the Majors. Tough, because he’s hit the best out of anyone in the catcher room this spring

I’ll admit that I once thought Braxton Ashcraft was destined for the bullpen. But after seeing him start at the end of the year and what he worked on this winter, he could be the Pirates’ No. 2 starter. More on the rotation’s wild card for today’s OffBeat: northshorenine.com/why-braxton-...

All Buccos I’ve covered grid

ICYMI: I’m doing a daily video podcast with @northshorenine.com called OffBeat. Today’s episode is on Mitch Keller, how his pitch mix has changed the last few years and what the Pirates need out of him this season. northshorenine.com/the-pirates-...

Enjoy the WBC. I’m in pursuit for the perfect Oscar ballot

Carmen Mlodzinski struggled as a starter last season, especially against left-handed hitters. Then he started attacking lefties differently, and it’s worth giving him another look as a starter. I talk about the 5th starter candidate today on OffBeat: northshorenine.com/is-carmen-ml...

The first episode of OffBeat is up! This is a new daily show I’m doing with @northshorenine.com where I take a look at what’s happening with the Pirates. Episode 1 is Konnor Griffin talk, his Opening Day chances and the pitch he hasn’t hit this spring (yet). northshorenine.com/the-pirates-...

The Pirates have agreed to contracts with the following pre-arbitration eligible players:

Another batch of cuts for the Pirates

Getting back into the podcast game. Episodes start this week northshorenine.com/announcement...

Immaculate grid is having quite a day percentage wise

Spring Training No. 7 is in the books. Year No. 7 of coverage is just getting started. See yinz soon.

Bryan Reynolds said he was excited for Andrew McCutchen after he signed today with the Rangers. Here’s what he had to say about the organization moving on without Cutch.

It’s not a trip to spring training without some BP videos. Esmerlyn Valdez and Jhostynxon Garcia with some cuts today

Interesting trade. Callihan had his season cut short last year after fracturing his arm colliding with an outfield wall, but showed some offensive potential from the left side. Top 20 prospect for the Reds who could contribute on right side of the infield or the outfield.

I don’t know if José Urquidy was that satisfied with his strikeout pitch to Gio Urshela, but it was sequenced well and got the whiff. Fastball low in the zone, follows it up with a sinker. Sinker has been getting some solid dive.

Good morning

Yo

Finally made it out to the wall for Maz. The case was fresh

Ozuna’s bat speed dropped 1.1 mph last year, his SLG dropped over 100 points against every pitch group and he’ll presumably boot O’Hearn to the outfield after he was one of the game’s best defensive 1B last year. Had to have been better ways to improve the offense for that money

Pirates have signed José Urquidy to a one-year, $1.5 million deal, pending physical. Adds depth to staff, he reunites with pitching coach Bill Murphy (who he worked with in Houston) and has minor league options. Will Sammon had it first

Some personal news. I was let go by MLB dot com today as part of a restructuring within the company. I’m proud of the work I did there, and I want to thank everyone who read along. Onto the next chapter.

Sports are a “cultural phenomenon.” They are a regular, unifying force for community, joy, justice, history. That’s why there are dedicated sports desks, to properly document something that means so much to so many. We are all the poorer for this short-sighted, abhorrent decision.

Pirates offered the same AAV for Suarez as what he signed for with the Reds (and were willing to go higher), according to a source. Sounds like Suarez chose a more favorable ballpark and familiarity w/ Cincy for a prove-it deal. Would have been 1/$15 but Pirates were willing to do a multi-year deal

A year ago, Spencer Horwitz felt the pressure of being the Pirates only big offseason addition. This time around, he’s healthy and part of a deeper lineup. “We're just super excited to be able to lean on each other.” More in the Pirates Beat newsletter, now in your inbox.

“Right now, I'm competing against throwing fastballs in the zone. Every time I don't do that, I have some choice words for myself. So I haven't lost that edge yet." Jared Jones is throwing bullpens again and picking up velo. More from his PiratesFest trip www.mlb.com/pirates/news...

I asked Jared Jones what his emotions were on that first day he could throw. His answer: “Let’s fucking go.” Not really an emotion, in my opinion, but yeah, he’s excited to get back.

The Pirates have announced seven more non-roster invites to Spring Training, including Konnor Griffin

The Pirates have acquired third baseman Francisco Loreto from the Phillies for RHP Chase Shugart. Loreto, 18, played 47 games in the FCL last year. Shugart was DFA’d last week.

Dave Giusti, one of the greatest relievers in Pirates history and a World Series champion, passed away Sunday. www.mlb.com/pirates/news...

Ben Cherington is confident the Pirates are going to keep adding before Opening Day. What could that look like? www.mlb.com/pirates/news...

The Brandon Lowe trade “moved the needle” towards Ryan O’Hearn signing with the Pirates. His phone call with Don Kelly sealed it. On Thursday, the Pirates introduced their biggest free agent in years www.mlb.com/pirates/news...

The Pirates are avoiding arbitration with all eligible players this year www.mlb.com/pirates/news...

Source confirms Oneil Cruz and Pirates have agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million deal to avoid arbitration. Robert Murray had it first

Source: Pirates and Justin Lawrence agree to a one-year, $1.225 million deal to avoid arbitration

Source: Pirates and Dennis Santana have agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract to avoid arbitration

The Pirates wanted to improve their lineup this winter and have added two All-Stars so far. Lowe and O’Hearn are good hitters, and they also fill some of the biggest holes the 2025 offense had. I dove into that for today’s Pirates Beat newsletter: www.mlb.com/pirates/news...

NEW POD 🚨🚨🚨 🏴‍☠️ The Alex Stumpf Show Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts 🙌 m.youtube.com/watch?v=fviy... podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...

Will the Pirates land Okamoto? @alexjstumpf.bsky.social breaks it down on today’s show 🏴‍☠️

“I don't understand how he ever gives up a hit.” New Pirate reliever Mason Montgomery averaged 98.7 mph on his fastball last season. In the pitch tracking era, the only lefty to best that in a season is Aroldis Chapman. More on the Pirates’ new southpaw: www.mlb.com/pirates/news...

Ben Cherington talked earlier this week about how the Pirates wanted to add another proven bat to the lineup. On Tuesday, they added their second 2025 All-Star this week. www.mlb.com/pirates/news...

ates and Ryan O’Hearn are in agreement on a two-year deal worth $29 million, per source. Robert Murray had it first

Caught up with new Pirate Jake Magnum, who was part of the Rays trade. What type of player are the Pirates getting? This quote should sum it up: “There’s two promises I can make: I’m going to work as hard as I can, and I’m going to play as hard as I can” www.mlb.com/pirates/news...

Pirates have signed outfielder Dominic Fletcher to a minor league deal, per source. Fletcher, 28, played 12 games in the Majors with the White Sox last year and had a .770 OPS in Triple-A. The @buccobantr.bsky.social crew had it first

Brandon Lowe spoke to Pittsburgh media over Zoom Monday. Here’s what the Pirates’ new slugger had to say about the opportunity, where he’s going to play in the field and hitting baseballs into the Allegheny. www.mlb.com/pirates/news...

Pirates have designated Tsung-Che Cheng and Marco Luciano for assignment to open roster spots for today’s trade. Roster is full at 40 players