Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Pirates Release 2026 Promotions Schedule at PNC Park

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates head into a 2026 season where they've finally announced what special events they'll host and items they'll give away for fans.

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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.

Ronny Simon News / MLB Trade Rumors / December 11

Pirates Re-Sign Ronny Simon To Minor League Deal

The Pirates brought back Ronny Simon on a minor league contract, as first reflected on the MLB.com transaction log. Pittsburgh had non-tendered the rookie at the end of the season to drop him from their 40-man roster.

MLB News / MLB Trade Rumors / December 11

Guardians To Sign Colin Holderman

The Guardians and right-hander Colin Holderman are in agreement on a one-year deal, reports Robert Murray of FanSided. The ACES client will make $1.5MM, reports Zack Meisel of The Athletic.

Philadelphia Phillies News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Active MLB home run leaders' quiz

How many of the most prolific power hitters in baseball today can you name in 5 minutes?

The 'Last 40-home-run season by MLB team' quiz

The 'MLB All-Star Game MVPs' quiz

The '50-home-run MLB seasons' quiz

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / December 11

Pirates Lose Crucial Member of Pitching Staff

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates saw another important part of their front office depart for a new job elsewhere. Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Jeremy Bleich, the Pirates director of pitching development, was leaving for a new position as the assistant general manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks on Dec.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players on the brink of stardom in 2026

The stars were out in full force during the 2025 World Series. From Max Scherzer in Toronto to Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and of course, Shohei Ohtani, in Los Angeles, there was no shortage of the game's best under the brightest lights.

Konnor Griffin News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / December 11

Pirates GM Discusses Potential Konnor Griffin Extension

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have the best prospect in baseball in Konnor Griffin, who heads into a crucial 2026 season with great expectations on him.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Just Baseball / December 11

Getting To Know the Pirates’ Latest 40-Man Additions

Back in mid-November, the Pittsburgh Pirates began their preparations for this year’s Rule 5 draft by protecting seven players. In all honesty, the Pirates had many players who deserved serious consideration for a 40-man spot, but not many anticipated seven protections.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / December 11

Pirates Starting Pitcher Drawing Trade Interest from Astros

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have one of the best group of young pitchers in baseball right now, priming them for an exciting season in 2026. One of those pitchers is right-handed starter Mike Burrows, who had a strong showing in his first campaign in 2025.

Ronny Simon News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / December 11

Pirates Bring Back Outfielder on Minor League Deal

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates let go of a player last month, but quickly brought him back to the team for next season. The Pirates re-signed outfielder Ronny Simon to minor league deal and assigned him to Triple-A Indianapolis on Nov.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / December 11

Pirates Select Five Players During Rule 5 Draft

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates took advantage of the Rule 5 Draft on the final day of the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla. on Dec. 10. The Pirates took a combined five players across the major league and minor league phases of the Rule 5 Draft.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Last Word On Sports / December 10

Pirates 'In On' Free Agents; Here’s the Reality About How Serious They Are

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been connected to numerous free agents in what is described as a different kind of offseason. General manager Ben Cherington is on record as saying he has more payroll flexibility this offseason than he’s ever had as Pirates GM.

MLB News / Yardbarker

The 25 greatest pitching seasons from the modern MLB era

America's favorite pastime has more memorable performances than any sport. As such, figuring out which pitchers had the best seasons ever is no easy task.

Gregory Soto News / Bucs Dugout / December 10

Pirates sign veteran pitcher Gregory Soto

While the main focus should be on the offense the Pirates first big move was in the bullpen. The organization had an agreement with the two-time All-Star reliever Gregory Soto.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / December 10

Pirates Trade Pitcher to Rangers Immediately After Rule 5 Draft

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates surprisingly made a pick in the Rule 5 Draft then immediately sent him away afterwards. The Pirates selected right-handed relief pitcher Carter Baumler from the Baltimore Orioles in the 2025 Rule 5 Draft, their sole selection.

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The 'Oldest 4,000-passing-yard seasons' quiz

The 'Most passing yards by an NFL rookie' quiz

The 'AL and NL MVPs since 2000' quiz

The '2K-scrimmage-yard NFL seasons' quiz

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / December 10

Pirates Should Have Pushed Harder for Mets Slugger

The Pittsburgh Pirates entered this offseason with serious intentions about making a big splash. After being rebuked by one slugger, the Pirates should have shifted their focus from Kyle Schwarber to Pete Alonso.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / December 10

Pirates Could Make Moves in Rule 5 Draft

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates come close to an end of the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla. this week and have the Rule 5 Draft as one of those final events.

Kyle Schwarber News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / December 10

Pirates Outbid Phillies for Kyle Schwarber

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates lost out on landing Kyle Schwarber, but didn't go down without putting out a great offer for one of the best free agents this offseason Schwarber re-signed with the Philadelphia Phillies on a five-year, $150 million deal, which pays him $30 million per season through the time he turns 39 years old.

MLB News / Last Word On Sports / December 10

Report: Pirates Pivot from Adding Hitting, Sign All-Star Relief Pitcher

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed left-handed relief pitcher Gregory Soto to a one-year contract worth $7.75 million. Jorge Castillo of ESPN first broke the story.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Total Apex Sports / December 10

Pittsburgh Pirates Secure No. 5 Overall Pick In 2026 MLB Draft

Another year, another MLB Draft Lottery, and another predictably lukewarm result for the Pittsburgh Pirates. In what’s becoming a bit of a tradition, the team walked into the lottery with high hopes and walked out with… well, the fifth overall pick.

Kyle Schwarber News / MLB on ClutchPoints / December 9

Pirates drown Kyle Schwarber sorrows with one-year reliever deal

The Pittsburgh Pirates are not known for being a major player in free agency. In fact, they are known for being a notorious cheapskate — a franchise that looks to save every penny they could.

MLB News / MLB Trade Rumors / December 9

What will reliever Gregory Soto bring to the Pirates?

The Pirates are expected to sign reliever Gregory Soto.

Mets set one condition to re-sign Pete Alonso

Pete Alonso has significant demand, and his price tag 'likely' increased

Dodgers finally find their closer with Edwin Diaz signing

25 MLB prospects who will make an impact in 2026

The 'MLB Relievers of the Year since 1995' quiz

Pittsburgh Pirates News / MLB on ClutchPoints / December 9

New pitching coach sets lofty goal for Pirates in 2026 and beyond

The Pittsburgh Pirates are working hard this offseason to improve the club’s roster. Pittsburgh missed the Major League Baseball playoffs once again in 2025, and has a new pitching coach to help the team return to the postseason in 2026.

MLB News / Yardbarker / December 9

Pressure is on Pirates after Kyle Schwarber flirtation

Pressure is on Pirates to make meaningful move after Kyle Schwarber flirtation

All their flirtation with Schwarber should have done was raise the bar for them to do something meaningful this offseason.

Kyle Schwarber sets tone of Winter Meetings by re-joining Phillies

MLB Winter Meetings takeaways: NL powers add while Red Sox hope for Wilyer Abreu boost

Dodgers finally find their closer with Edwin Diaz signing

25 MLB players on the brink of stardom in 2026

The 'Active MLB home run leaders' quiz

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Just Baseball / December 9

Pittsburgh Pirates 2025-26 Offseason Wishlist

Following yet another 90-loss season for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the club enters the offseason with a long list of areas it needs to address. With the disappointing lack of urgency shown by the front office last winter, fans can only hope this offseason will be a different story.