The article examines how modern MLB ownership—dominated by corporate groups, private‑equity investors and multi‑owner syndicates—shapes the upcoming 2027 lockout. It traces the shift from single‑owner clubs in the 1960s to today’s complex structures, noting examples like the Pittsburgh Pirates’ seven owners and the Tampa Bay Rays’ nine‑owner group, as well as the Yankees’ 16% stake sold to Apollo Global Management. Owners now prioritize cost certainty and containment, pushing for a salary cap and a reduced draft to limit payroll and development expenses. These moves aim to stabilize franchise valuations but could strain smaller‑market teams that rely on competitive revenue. The piece argues that the owners’ financial motives will heavily influence any settlement.
The post unravels a mystery photo of Wrigley Field’s old non‑digital scoreboard, pinpointing the game it captures: the Cubs vs. Pirates on June 3, 1997. Pitcher Steve Trachsel (Cubs #46) threw eight innings in a 3‑1 loss, with Scott Servais hitting the only Cubs home run. The author notes the sparse fan apparel in the stands and provides game details—attendance 17,317, Pirates starter Steve Cooke, and Mel Rojas’ ninth‑inning run. It’s a deep dive into a near‑30‑year‑old slice of Cubs history.
The Pinstripe Alley piece celebrates Yankees outfielder Xavier Nady’s birthday (Nov. 14, 1978) and recaps his whirlwind MLB career. After a stellar college run at UC Berkeley, Nady debuted with the Padres in 2000, but never lived up to early hype, posting a career slash line of .262/.319/.413. He bounced among eight teams, finding a brief surge in 2008 with Pittsburgh before being traded to New York. In his first full week in pinstripes, Nady hit .526 with three homers and 10 RBIs, earning AL Player of the Week, and helped fill gaps left by Posada and Matsui. Despite his spark, the Yankees missed the 2009 playoffs, prompting a major offseason overhaul.
The Washington Nationals have released right‑hand reliever Kyle Nicolas, who was designated for assignment after the team acquired Reiver Sanmartín. Nicolas never appeared in a major‑league game for Washington, spending the season with Triple‑A Rochester where he posted a 3.27 ERA but a high 18.7% walk rate. The former Ball State draftee has four MLB seasons with the Pirates and Reds, a career 4.97 ERA over 105⅓ innings, and a fastball that tops 98‑99 mph. His release could signal interest from overseas, as the Nats chose not to retain him on a minor‑league roster.
The Pittsburgh Pirates finished a respectable 82-80 season in 2026 but missed the playoffs for the 12th straight year. To break the drought in 2027, Bucs Dugout outlines three must‑do moves: re‑sign free‑agent second baseman Brandon Lowe, who posted a .260 average, 96 RBIs and 35 homers; add a left‑handed starter to balance the rotation and lessen the bullpen’s burden; and overhaul the relief corps by acquiring a dependable closer and improving health for key players like Konnor Griffin, Esmerlyn Valdes and Bryan Reynolds. Executing these steps could transform the Pirates into a playoff contender.
The Pirates fell short in 2026, but still look like a competitive team if they do more with free agency than sign random 37-year-olds to one-year contracts.
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Baseball America’s draft podcast episode, hosted by J.J. Cooper and Carlos Collazo, breaks down the NL Central’s draft performance since 2020. Listeners get a team‑by‑team analysis—Reds, Cardinals, Pirates, Cubs, and Brewers—highlighting the biggest draft successes, missed opportunities, and players they’d trade back. The show also previews the 2027 Top‑10 prospects for each club and promotes the upcoming 2027 Prospect Handbook. With timestamps for each segment, fans can jump straight to the team of interest and hear expert insights on recent draft classes.
Baseball America’s Future Projection podcast episode, hosted by Ben Badler and Carlos Collazo, breaks down the 2027 farm systems of every NL Central club. The two analysts rank each team's top ten prospects, discuss the NL Rookie of the Year voting, and dive into individual sections for the Reds (8:30), Cardinals (23:00), Pirates (37:00), Cubs (54:00), and Brewers (1:12:00). Listeners get a detailed look at emerging talent and how each organization’s pipeline could shape the upcoming season.
The 2026 SnakePit Awards spotlight the Diamondbacks’ most electrifying single-game feats. Jose Fernandez’s debut on March 31 dazzles with a 3‑for‑4 night, two homers and four RBIs in a 7‑5 comeback win over Detroit, earning a +64.5% win‑probability boost. Merrill Kelly throws a rare complete game (9 IP, 1 R, 3 SO) at Coors Field, the first D‑backs starter to do so in 13 years. Reliever Gerardo Carrillo logs a historic +76.7% WP in 2 IP extra‑innings, the highest ever for an Arizona reliever and seventh‑best in the wild‑card era. Eduardo Rodriguez follows with eight shutout innings versus Pittsburgh, and Justin Martinez records an immaculate inning—one of only two for the club since 2013. These standout performances vie for the Single‑Game Performance of the Year award.
McCutchen won the National League MVP award in 2013.
Former NL MVP Andrew McCutchen will co‑host MLB Network’s Thursday night MVP broadcast at 7 p.m. ET, joining the lineup after this week’s Rookie, Manager, Cy Young and Reliever of the Year winners. McCutchen, who earned the 2013 NL MVP as the Pirates broke a 20‑year playoff drought, will announce the 2026 finalists: NL – Pete Crow‑Armstrong (Cubs), Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers) and Brice Turang (Brewers); AL – Yordan Alvarez (Astros), Junior Caminero (Rays) and Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals). The broadcast also notes Alvarez’s league‑leading .316 average, .432 OBP and .601 SLG, and Crow‑Armstrong’s 45 homers and 41 steals.
Baseball America reports a record 178 minor‑league pitchers hit 100 mph or faster in 2026, up from 140 the year before. All 30 MLB organizations had at least two such arms, with the Pirates, Rays and Nationals each posting more than ten. Notable standouts include Carlos Mateo, Antwone Kelly and David Matoma of Pittsburgh, who each topped 101 mph, and Alexander Alberto of Tampa Bay, the only cutter to break the 100‑mph barrier. The article lists every MiLB pitcher who reached triple‑digit velocity, breaking down totals by team and pitch type, and highlights a few dual‑type throwers. This data underscores the accelerating velocity trend across professional baseball.
The Pirates have given second baseman Brandon Lowe a qualifying offer that expires on Nov. 17, and while they hope to retain his 35‑home‑run power, they’re scouting alternatives. Jazz Chisholm Jr. emerges as a versatile left‑handed option, though his price could be steep after a turbulent Yankees season. Luis Arraez, a three‑time batting champion, offers a .310/.345/.764 line and 64 RBIs but lacks Lowe’s pop, having hit only six homers. Veteran Jeff McNeil provides a short‑term bridge, and in‑house prospects like Nick Gonzales and Jared Triolo could fill the gap, albeit with limited power. The article weighs each scenario as Pittsburgh prepares for the offseason.
DK’s Daily Shot of Pirates: What’s next for … Paul Skenes?
The Mets are prioritizing left‑handed relief in the upcoming offseason, targeting Dodgers’ Alex Vesia, former Yankees reliever Tim Hill, and Japan returnee Darwinzon Hernández. Vesia, a 31‑year‑old with a career 2.66 ERA and 32.6% strikeout rate, is drawing interest from the Phillies, Pirates and Yankees. Hill, 37, posted a 4.60 ERA but boasts a league‑leading 68.8% ground‑ball rate despite a low strikeout rate. Hernández, 30, seeks a MLB comeback after three strong seasons abroad. With no established lefty on the 40‑man roster, the Mets also explore Brooks Raley and other options as they chase a balanced bullpen.
Carmen Mlodzinski was a versatile weapon for the Pirates' staff in 2026.
Skenes will remain the centerpiece of a rotation that hopes to push Pittsburgh back to the playoffs for the first time since 2015.
Pirates right‑hander Mitch Keller’s season ended on Aug. 2 after a Grade 3 teres major tear, but he has now recovered enough to resume flat‑ground throwing and is set for a normal offseason, despite a $38 million payroll commitment. Keller posted a 3.64 ERA in his first 11 starts before a 7.36 ERA surge and a velocity drop to the low‑92 mph range. Pittsburgh’s rotation, now fully right‑handed with Paul Skenes, Braxton Ashcraft, Jared Jones, Bubba Chandler and Carmen Mlodzinski, lacks left‑handed depth, prompting GM Ben Cherington to target southpaw starters or swing‑role pitchers such as Sean Newcomb, Jordan Montgomery or veteran Robbie Ray. The club also plans to upgrade the roster broadly, eyeing outfield, infield and catcher options to deepen the squad.
Free‑agent second baseman Gleyren Torres, a former two‑time All‑Star who logged a .257 average and .738 OPS with the Detroit Tigers, is being linked to a possible New York Yankees reunion. Despite his solid offensive output, Talkin’ Yanks analysts Jimmy O’Brien and Jake Storiale express doubt, noting lingering questions about his defense and past friction with Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman. They suggest the Yankees might prefer other options, like Michael Volpe or Jose Caballero, while clubs such as the Royals, Angels, Pirates and A’s also show interest.
Detroit’s Kevin McGonigle clinches the 2026 AL Rookie of the Year, earning praise from A.J. Hinch and fans after a breakout season highlighted by a 4‑2 loss to the Pirates on Sept. 27. Meanwhile, Tigers manager Pat Murphy captures Manager of the Year honors for a third straight year. The post also teases hot‑stove chatter, noting several clubs, including the Mets, courting ace pitcher Tarik Skubal ahead of free agency. Additional MLB updates cover the Dodgers’ new hitting coach and upcoming roster moves across the league.
Pirates GM Ben Cherington confirms veteran right‑hander Mitch Keller is fully healthy and back throwing, aiming for a bounce‑back season in 2027. Keller posted a 6-8 record, 5.29 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 2026 before landing on the 60‑day IL with a grade‑3 muscle strain. Signed through 2028 at $18 million in 2027 and $20 million in 2028, his performance will dictate his future in Pittsburgh, especially with emerging arms Braxton Ashcraft and Seth Hernandez rising.
DK’s Daily Shot of Pirates: What’s next for … Bubba Chandler?
The Pirates' young shortstop made his MLB debut in 2026, offering a glimpse of his potential despite an injury-shortened campaign.
The Toronto Blue Jays are eyeing free‑agent second baseman Brandon Lowe, according to MLB Deadline News. Lowe posted a career‑high 150 games in 2026, hitting 35 homers, 96 RBIs and posting an .824 OPS – his second 35‑HR season after a 39‑HR outburst in 2021. With current All‑Star Ernie Clement underperforming at second base (9 HR, .649 OPS), Toronto hopes Lowe can boost a lackluster offense. The Pirates, Rays, Giants and Padres also chase him, setting up a competitive market.
The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly eyeing Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe, who posted a .260 average with 35 homers and 96 RBIs over 150 games in 2026. Lowe’s surge in power and a dramatic defensive upgrade—jumping to the 96th percentile in fielding run value and a career‑best 5.3 WAR—could help a Blue Jays lineup that ranked last in runs scored. While interest is early and Toronto faces draft‑pick penalties for signing a player who declines a qualifying offer, Lowe’s multi‑year contract pursuit pits the Jays against clubs like the Dodgers, Yankees and his current Pirates. The deal’s financial and roster implications remain unsettled.