Pirates Q&A: Could a Starter Get Traded? Where Does Rotation Stack Up?
Welcome back to our weekly Pittsburgh Pirates Q&A.
The Pirates are off to a good start in Grapefruit League play at 5-2 and we are now within a month from Opening Day! Plenty to discuss this week. Let’s get into it.
Do you think Stewart or Hall will make the opening day roster? – Chuck Duckworth
Stewart and Hall are two non-roster invitees fighting for a spot to fill in for the injured Spencer Horwitz. Stewart is off to a strong start this spring. Hall has only played sparingly.
As of now, I would say neither players makes the initial roster, but there’s a ways to go between now and Opening Day. It would take an excellent performance all spring from either player to get added to the roster. For now, I see the Pirates mixing and matching with Jared Triolo as the primary option to start the season at first base.
With Carmen M getting stretched out as a starter, that has to be a precursor to a trade of one of our young RH SP, no? Otherwise I don’t know why they would be doing that. – @BVella712
The news of Mlodzinski getting stretched out as a starter this spring came as a surprise to me given the success he’s had in his current role — and the Pirates’ bullpen woes from a season ago.
The idea of the Pirates looking to trade a starter is interesting given this development, but ultimately, I would say no. If anyone gets dealt, I actually think Bailey Falter could be the most realistic option after the Pirates signed Andrew Heaney.
Ultimately, I still feel like the best option is to let Mlodzinski continue as a reliever.
Who will be the closer after Bednar loses the job? How long of a leash will they put him on? – @Ragjag
I’m fully expecting Bednar to be the closer on Opening Day barring an unforeseen injury. But if he struggles out of the gate, I don’t think they would be as hesitant to replace him as they were last year. If no Bednar, it would probably go to a closer by committee based on matchups.
Looking like Jack wants the lefty side of a corner OF platoon. I personally think he’ll rebound to 22/23 performance this yr. Do you think that’s why they didn’t reach beyond Pham-level F/A OF? – @burghfan99
Yes, in part. I think the Pirates were always looking at a right-handed platoon option to pair with one of Jack Suwinski or Joshua Palacios. Pham gives the Pirates another veteran leader which is nice to have. But the main reason why Pham was signed? Cost.
Why would the Pirates keep Cherington and Shelton? – Jim Lash
Are you telling me Cherington is doing what’s gonna make the team a winner? I’ve seen nothing. – Ray Albright
Combining these questions since they are similar in nature.
I’ll start by saying I believe Cherington and Shelton both truly care about winning. They just haven’t done it in any of their first five seasons together for a multitude of reasons.
In today’s era, it’s almost impossible to see both a general manager and manager return for a sixth year after five-straight losing seasons and minimal progress. The Pirates have gotten better from the 2020 season, but still haven’t been close to a playoff spot.
But Bob Nutting is hesitant to fire people. He hasn’t done it much outside of cleaning house on an interesting timeline after the 2019 season. But there’s massive pressure on Cherington and Shelton this year. If the Pirates aren’t competitive, I don’t see how either can return in 2026.
Could we have the strongest pitching rotation in MLB? – Jason Williams
The Pirates’ rotation will be the strength of the team in 2025 without doubt, but I’m not ready to crown them as having the top in baseball just yet.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ rotation is just insane. Shohei Ohatni is returning, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and old friend Tyler Glasnow are back in the fold. And this offseason, they signed Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki. There’s plenty of depth too.
There are other teams that have good rotations too, but I would say the Pirates could easily have a top 10 one this year. It helps when you have one of the very best pitchers in the game.
More about:PBN+