Pirates Winter Meetings Recap: Deals, Rumors, What’s Next
For the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Winter Meetings proved to be more talk than action. But there is plenty of time left in the offseason in what should be an active couple months for general manager Ben Cherington and the front office.
The Pirates made an aggressive offer to Kyle Schwarber, only to see him stay across the state in Philadelphia. Many believe the Pirates were one of the more active teams and are willing to spend some money, a refreshing change from the status quo.
Though the Pirates made only two relatively small moves during the Winter Meetings, they have plenty of stokes in the fire. Here’s everything that happened and what might be next.
Pirates Land Soto
The Pirates didn’t sign or trade for the big bat that everyone was hoping for, but they did address a need on the pitching staff.
Pittsburgh agreed to a one-year, $7.75 million deal, which is pending a physical, with left-handed relief pitcher Gregory Soto. The 30-year-old split the 2025 season between the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets and had a 4.18 ERA with 70 strikeouts in 60.1 innings.
Soto, a two-time All-Star, has 56 saves in his career and has been especially effective against left-handed hitters.
Rule 5 Pick Dealt to Rangers
The Carter Baumler era with the Pirates was over before it began. The Pirates picked the right-hander with the fifth pick in the Rule 5 Draft but traded him to the Texas Rangers for minor-league pitcher Jaiker Garcia and cash considerations.
Garcia, a 21-year-old converted infielder, went 3-3 with a 4.66 ERA, two saves, 14 walks and 26 strikeouts in 19.1 innings in the Arizona Complex League this past season. He also has a 0.77 ERA in 11 appearances in the Venezuelan Winter Leagues.
Rumors, Rumors, Rumors
After missing out on Schwarber, the Pirates have been linked to several players on the free agent and trade markets. Pittsburgh has had their eyes on infielder Jorge Polanco, and Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reported the Pirates are planning to make him an offer.
Polanco, 32, hit .265 with an .821 OPS, 30 doubles, 26 home runs and 78 RBI with the Seattle Mariners last season.
Elsewhere in free agency, the Pirates have reportedly expressed interest in utilityman Willi Castro, an All-Star in 2024 who played well for the Minnesota Twins this past season before struggling after a trade to the Chicago Cubs. Between the two clubs, the 28-year-old .226/.313/.366 with 17 doubles, three triples, 11 home runs and 33 RBI in 120 games.
On the trade market, the Pirates are one of a handful of teams vying for Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe, who was an All-Star in 2025. The 31-year-old is an all-bat, no-glove type of player and hit .256 with a .785 OPS, 31 home runs and 83 RBI on the year.
So, What’s Next?
The answer to this question is obvious. The Pirates need to add at least one but more likely two impact bats to their lineup. If they were willing to pay Schwarber $30-plus million a year, there’s no excuse to not be able to spend for meaningful upgrades.
Though the Pirates didn’t land an bat at the Winter Meetings, they still have time to do so. But there’s a lot of pressure on Cherington to get a deal or two done to help boost what was the worst offense in baseball last season.
With some of the rumors that have been leaked, the expectations are high. Now, the Pirates need to deliver.
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