Pirates Q&A: Best Lineup Moving Forward, Trade Fallout
Welcome back to another edition of our Pittsburgh Pirates Q&A. Let’s get to your questions.
Is Mdzlonski back in rotation or can we expect Bubba/Oviedo this upcoming homestand!? – Scott Kutschbach
The Pirates will use one of their three open 40-man roster spots on Johan Oviedo, who will make his season debut against the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park on Monday night.
Oviedo hasn’t pitched for the Pirates since the end of the 2023 season. The big right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery following that year and suffered a setback this spring after dealing with a lat injury.
I’m anxious to see how Oviedo does upon his return. If you remember, he was one of just two starters (along with Mitch Keller) in the rotation at the end of the 2023 season. It was a solid first year as a full-time starting pitcher for him. He finished 9-14 with a 4.31 ERA.
How do you build a team by trading away any or all players with potential and keep marginal players? This is why the marginal teams will never be a winner. Don Phillips
This is the biggest problem the Pirates face — not being able (or willing) to pay to keep their best players. It’s been happening since they let Barry Bonds walk in free agency, and it will continue to happen under current ownership or until a new structure is in place with a new CBA.
The Pirates need to find ways to make the most of what they have and always have a healthy farm system, like the Rays, Guardians, Brewers and other smaller market teams who find ways to contend more often than not.
But if you think its bad now, just wait. It’s only a matter of time until they trade Paul Skenes since they will never extend him, and might not be willing to pay his arbitration costs as that process goes on.
My question is how can Ben Cherington say: a) he doesn’t make trades solely to save salary; b) the $ saved in trades he made this week will be rolled into salary next yr; and c) he didn’t trade the 3 pending and now useless free agents to free up almost $5M to be used next yr? – @Burghfan99
Excellent point. Cherington’s message on Sundays radio show was as confusing as his trade deadline approach.
The clear motivation for the Pirates during this years deadline was to clear payroll. They did that by trading Ke’Bryan Hayes and David Bednar, both of whom will be making non-insignificant dollars in 2026. They did that by trading Bailey Falter, who will be arbitration-eligible.
Its not a bad strategy, and Cherington skirted around the question because he refused to admit the Pirates were at least partially motivated to get money off the books. Now, will they actually reinvest that money in the offseason? I won’t believe it until I see it. Why should I? Or anyone?
What is the Pirates best lineup for the rest of the season? Peguero needs to be in it – Jack K.
I agree, Jack, the Pirates need to get their eyes on Peguero as much as possible over the final eight weeks of the season. And to be honest, the lineup is as good as its been at any point this season (not saying much) given how Tommy Pham and Spencer Horwitz have been playing.
Here is what I would have on most days:
C: Davis/Bart
1B: Horwitz
2B: Gonzales
SS: Peguero
3B: Kiner-Falefa
LF: Pham
CF: Cruz
RF: Reynolds
DH: McCutchen
Suwinski can play vs. righties, but he’s a platoon option at best at this point. Triolo can bounce around the infield when needed.
Why should we continue to attend games even with pre purchased tickets? – Derf Esurk
That’s entirely up to the individual fan. I don’t believe in telling fans what do do with their money.
The frustration within the fanbase is a great as it has ever been in my lifetime. A good ballpark and giveaways can only go so far in drawing fans in when the on-field product has been what it’s been for 30-plus years.
Some fans will want to keep going to games. Others will refuse. Both are perfectly reasonable to me.
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