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Bucs Dugout

An unofficial Pittsburgh Pirates blog

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Pirates interested in signing Mariners third baseman Eugenio Suárez

The Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping to improve their infield in 2026. While they have made some moves to already help with that by trading for Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe, there is more that can be done. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Jason Mackey is reporting that the Pirates are interested in signing Seattle Mariners […]

MLB

MLB insider says Pirates among MLB’s most improved farm systems

The Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t have a whole lot of success on the field in 2025 but the future is very bright in the steel city. Pittsburgh had a few of their prospects finally make their mark in 2025, with pitchers like Braxton Ashcraft, Hunter Barco, Mike Burrows and Bubba Chandler. The Pirates will be going […]

MLB

Pirates miss out on Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto

The Pittsburgh Pirates will have to pivot to new options at third base. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Japanese third baseman Kuzuma Okamoto is signing with the Toronto Blue Jays. Okamoto’s posting window was set to close at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported earlier on Saturday that the Pirates were […]

Pirates begin New Year still without Andrew McCutchen

It has been an absolute joy getting to see Andrew McCutchen rejoin the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2023 after playing elsewhere for five seasons. McCutchen has been signing one-year deals in the offseason over the last couple of seasons, but now as the Pirates are investing in their lineup more than ever he remains unsigned with […]

One big need Pirates must address before 2026 season

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been busy this offseason, acquiring several veteran hitters to join the team. While the Pirates will look different on the field next season, there is still a need to bring on a few more pieces to the puzzle. Bleacher Report writer Joel Reuter believes the Pirates need to add a shortstop […]

Pirates pitcher due for breakout in 2026

The Pittsburgh Pirates are ringing in the new year, and it should be a big one for many in the organization. Among those looking for a big season in 2026 is right-handed pitcher Jared Jones. MLB.com reporter Alex Stumpf listed Jones as the breakout candidate for the Pirates in the upcoming season. “For most of […]

Pirates get disappointing 2025 grade

The Pittsburgh Pirates are spending another year in last place in the National League Central standings. The Pirates finished with a 71-91 record in the 2025 season, which led Bleacher Report writer Kerry Miller to give the team a “C-” grade in his yearly report card for all 30 teams. “In Pittsburgh’s case, an atypical […]

Former Pirates pitcher Andrew Heaney retires

Former Pittsburgh Pirates lefty pitcher Andrew Heaney announced his retirement from MLB this weekend. The 34-year-old Heaney won a World Series title with the Los Angeles Dodgers after they picked him up following his release from Pittsburgh in August. Heaney was signed to a one-year deal by the Bucs ahead of the 2025 season for […]

Kazuma Okamoto to Pirates rumors heating up

I think we can all agree that the Pittsburgh Pirates have had a successful offseason thus far — signing Ryan O-Hearn and trading for Brandon Lowe — but they could really put the cherrry on the Sundae if they manage to sign Japanese first baseman/ third baseman Kazuma Okamoto in the coming days, and the […]

The Pirates have a Henry Davis problem

When the Pittsburgh Pirates took Henry Davis with the first pick in the 2021 draft out of Louisville, the general consensus was that his bat was going to play, but there were questions whether or not he would stick behind the plate. Davis was considered the clear top pick in that draft with his power […]

Pirates should stay aggressive after Ryan O’Hearn signing

The Pittsburgh Pirates are a team to look out for in free agency as they look to add some power to the lineup after being one of the worst offenses in the MLB last season. The team signed Ryan O’Hearn from the San Diego Padres, who will be more of an outfielder while trading for […]

Pirates get good grade for Ryan O’Hearn signing

The Pittsburgh Pirates are improving their offense by signing Ryan O’Hearn away from the San Diego Padres on a two-year deal. O’Hearn, 32, is set to make $29 million over the next two seasons with the Bucs, giving them a designated hitter and outfielder to work with. ESPN insider Bradford Doolittle graded the signing and […]

Pirates sign first baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn to two-year contract

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made another splash to help their offense.  According to Robert Murray of FanSided, the Pirates have signed first baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn to a two-year contract with $29 million. Murray adds that the deal includes $500 thousand in performance bonuses over each of the two seasons.  Our long national nightmare is over. […]

Pirates make aggressive move trading for Brandon Lowe, must only be beginning

After much talk and speculation, the Pittsburgh Pirates put words into action to help their offense. On Friday, the Pirates acquired All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe from the Tampa Bay Rays, along with two other players, in a three-team trade. The Pirates, Rays, and Houston Astros combined for a deal where the Pirates received three […]

Pirates tied to Kazuma Okamoto in MLB Free Agency

The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to continue to add quality hitters to their lineup this offseason and have been tied to yet another high profile free-agent. The organization has been tied to the signings of the top two Japanese free-agents this winter, in Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto. The former just signed a very team […]

MLB

Bucs Dugout staff shares Pirates’ Christmas free agency wishlist

The Pittsburgh Pirates are making some noise in the offseason and they could be a team to watch in free agency. The BD staff got together and shared which player they want the Pirates to target in free agency. Austin Bechtold The Pirates should sign third baseman Eugenio Suarez. After training for Brandon Lowe, the […]

Nick Gonzales changes jersey number for 2026 to honor Pirates legend

If you bought a loved one a Nick Gonzales jersey for the holidays, you might want to hold off.  Earlier this week, the Pirates released an updated roster with Gonzales officially switching to No. 3, changing his number to honor franchise legend and Pirates Hall of Fame outfielder Dave Parker.  Gonzales wore No. 39 for […]

Pirates acquire All-Star in trade with Rays, Astros

The Pittsburgh Pirates are wheeling and dealing, acquiring Tampa Bay Rays infielder Brandon Lowe in a trade that also involves the Houston Astros. According to MLB insider Chandler Rome, the Pirates are acquiring Lowe, who made 121 appearances for the Rays at second base in 2025. They are also adding Rays outfielder Jake Mangum, who […]

Pirates looking to sign top Japanese talent

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made it clear that they want to spend big during the offseason to improve their offense that finished dead last in runs scored in 2025. Pittsburgh along with several other ball clubs are looking to sign Munteaka Murakami, the top free-agent from the Nippon Professional Baseball league in Japan. Jon Morosi […]

Pirates linked to $74 million All-Star in free agency

The Pittsburgh Pirates have reportedly spoken to some of the league’s top free agents this off-season about joining their team. While they have struck out on Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber, the Pirates are still able to sign a strong free agent. Bleacher Report writer Zachary D. Rymer suggests the Pirates are the best fit […]

MLB insider slams the Pirates for “fake” Free Agency

Jim Bowden of The Athletic wrote about his takeaways from the Winter Meetings and what he learned from the busiest time of the offseason. He deemed the Pirates as not serious spenders and that the offers they made for Josh Naylor and Kyle Schwarber were simply just eye-wash. He stated that both Naylor and Schwarber […]

What reported big-time contract offers mean for Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates are not a team usually in the mix for the best free agents on the open market. However, that has been a change in this offseason for Pittsburgh. While nobody notable has signed with the Pirates, the team has reportedly been interested in adding players like Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber. While […]

Analyst looks back at Pirates Bryan Reynolds trade

It’s rare for the Pittsburgh Pirates to earn praise for a trade they made, but one deal agreed to nearly eight years ago still has an effect on the organization to this day. Bleacher Report writer Joel Reuter praised the Pirates for their decision to trade for All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds back in 2018 when […]

MLB

Where are the Pirates picking in the first round of the 2026 MLB draft?

The Pittsburgh Pirates are leaving the MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando with a better idea of their direction for the future. Among the events taking place in Central Florida was the 2026 MLB Draft Lottery, where the Pirates had the third-best odds for the No. 1 overall pick, but finished at No. 5. The Chicago […]

Pirates add five via Rule 5 Draft

Hey, you want more news? Here’s some good news. The MLB Rule 5 Draft has been completed, and the Pittsburgh Pirates have added five players to their cupboard on December 10, one of them via trade. They selected right-handed pitcher Colin Baumler from the Baltimore Orioles, but they flipped him to the Texas Rangers for […]

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