The Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves at a crossroads, and it’s not pretty. After striking out on high-profile free agents like Kyle Schwarber, Eugenio Suárez, and Framber Valdez, the team’s margin for error has all but vanished. What’s left in their offseason playbook? A handful of modest moves—like adding depth pitcher Jose Urquidy and taking a minor-league gamble on Mike Clevinger—and a whole lot of uncertainty as the free-agent market dries up. But here’s where it gets controversial: is this a case of strategic patience or a missed opportunity? Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Urquidy isn’t even penciled in as the fifth starter, leaving fans wondering: What’s the plan? (https://x.com/JMackeyPG/status/2019494823355465774)
Panicking isn’t the answer, but neither is standing still and calling it discipline. The path forward is razor-thin, but it exists—if the Pirates act decisively. So, what’s the playbook? Let’s break it down.
First, bring back Andrew McCutchen. Yes, you read that right. McCutchen isn’t just a nostalgia play anymore (https://rumbunter.com/andrew-mccutchen-isn-t-backing-down-as-doubts-grow-about-his-pirates-future). He’s the most logical offensive upgrade left on the market. Why? Because he brings professional at-bats, platoon flexibility, and clubhouse stability—all while providing a reliable bat that won’t crater the lineup when the young players struggle. Sure, he’s not the middle-of-the-order powerhouse he once was, but the Pirates don’t need a savior. They need competence and reliability, two qualities sorely missing from their lineup’s bottom half. If McCutchen isn’t an option, Marcell Ozuna becomes the fallback, but his off-field baggage (https://rumbunter.com/pirates-should-avoid-marcell-ozuna-due-to-obvious-negative-press-reasons-01kgjb4vxd0b) makes him a risky bet for a franchise that can’t afford more PR headaches.
Second, trade for a real third baseman—even if it hurts. This is the move most people miss. Jared Triolo as the starting third baseman? That’s not a plan; it’s a prayer. Over 162 games, and in a competitive NL Central, it won’t hold up. The Pirates need to leverage assets like Joey Bart and prospect capital to land an everyday third baseman—not a stopgap or a gamble, but a legitimate solution. Bart and the prospects are valuable, but value is meaningless unless it translates to Major League production. With catching prospects like Henry Davis, Rafael Flores, and Endy Rodríguez in the pipeline, this is the perfect time to cash in. Failing to make this move now is essentially admitting defeat at a key position—again.
Third, add a veteran left-handed starter. Signing someone like Jose Quintana or Tyler Anderson won’t make headlines, but it’s a smart, stabilizing move. It protects innings, shores up the rotation’s back end, and prevents the season from collapsing under the weight of injuries. And this is the part most people miss: it keeps the Pirates from their annual May tradition of overexposing depth arms and scrambling for solutions. With a young, talented but inexperienced rotation, they don’t need an ace—they need insulation.
Finally, extend Konnor Griffin now. This is the forward-thinking move that separates contenders from pretenders. Griffin, a top prospect, is still affordable—for now. Every strong month in the minors, every Top-100 list appearance (https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/top100/konnor-griffin-804606), drives up his price. Locking him up early (https://rumbunter.com/estimating-what-a-konnor-griffin-extension-would-look-like-for-the-pittsburgh-pirates) sends a rare message from the Pirates: We believe in our future enough to invest in it. Even if Griffin’s debut is delayed, this move prevents another ‘we should’ve done this sooner’ moment (see: Paul Skenes’s saga: https://rumbunter.com/pirates-future-payroll-and-paul-skenes-fate-a-nightmare-after-tarik-skubal-ruling-01kgqn9kptze).
Controversial question for you: Is the Pirates’ current strategy a calculated risk or a recipe for another disappointing season? Do they need to take bolder moves, or is this the best they can do with their resources? Let’s hear your take in the comments!
