Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Pirates Avoid Arbitration With Oneil Cruz

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates wanted to make sure they had Oneil Cruz back for 2026 and they have officially done so. The Pirates and Oneil Cruz agreed to a one-year, $3.3 million deal for 2026, as they avoided arbitration, according to Robert Murray of FanSided .

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Pirates Avoid Arbitration with Star Reliever

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have important dealings with arbitration-eligible players ahead of the deadline and made sure they brought back one of their most crucial relief pitchers for 2026.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 8

Pirates See Slight Increase In Power Rankings

When looking at the state of the Pittsburgh Pirates , sitting at No. 23 in the power rankings isn't too bad. The team would certainly love to be higher, especially after the moves they've made this offseason, but soon enough they'll be able to prove everyone wrong on the field.

Tsung-Che Cheng News / MLB Trade Rumors / January 8

Rays Claim Tsung-Che Cheng

The Rays announced Thursday morning that they have claimed infielder Tsung-Che Cheng off waivers from the Pirates. The Bucs designated him for assignment last month.

MLB News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'MLB Home Run Derby champions' quiz

MLB held its inaugural Home Run Derby event at the 1985 MLB All-Star Game. How many of the winners can you name in five minutes?

The 'Home run leaders by MLB franchise' quiz

The 'Active MLB home run leaders' quiz

The 'Most home runs by a switch hitter' quiz

MLB News / Yardbarker / January 8

Yankees have a controversial candidate to replace Cody Bellinger

It's been weeks since the Winter Meetings, and the Yankees have yet to make a splash in free agency.

Yankees reportedly have Cody Bellinger problem

25 current MLB players who will end up in the Hall of Very Good

The 'Famous MLB families' quiz

NFL News / Yardbarker

The 25 most memorable sports plays of 2025

When it comes to unforgettable plays within the 2025 sports calendar, this was truly a special year. Here's our rankings of the 25 best.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 8

How Good Could Pirates' Seth Hernandez Be in 2026?

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have a great farm system and one of the best pitching prospects in all of baseball in Seth Hernandez. The Pirates took Hernandez with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft and signed him for $7.25 million, with the slot value at $7,558,600, making it an underslot signing of $308,600.

Brandon Lowe News / MLB on ClutchPoints / January 8

Pirates’ Brandon Lowe makes hilarious admission on potentially hitting home run into Allegheny River

Newly acquired second baseman Brandon Lowe is already making a splash in Pittsburgh, not just for his two-time All-Star resume but for his fun, easygoing take on his new home stadium at the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 8

Japanese Pitcher Pirates Should Now Go After

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have a strong pitching staff for next season and a good bullpen that makes them a contender for the postseason. Right-handed pitchers like Justin Lawrence , Isaac Mattson, Carmen Mlodzinski and Dennis Santana had great seasons out of the bullpen for the Pirates in 2025.

Paul Skenes News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 8

First Pirates' Paul Skenes Funko Pop Released

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates star pitcher Paul Skenes is one of the most recongizable faces in baseball and amongst all of sports in the United States.

Marco Luciano News / Field Level Media / January 7

O's claim former top prospect Marco Luciano off waivers from Pirates

The Baltimore Orioles claimed outfielder Marco Luciano, a former top minor league prospect, off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. In other

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 7

Pirates' Biggest Lineup Question Mark Revealed

The Pittsburgh Pirates have had an alarmingly productive offseason considering their reputation for doing nothing, and yet another promising target might be headed their way if they play their cards right.

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.

Marco Luciano News / MLB Trade Rumors / January 7

Orioles Claim Marco Luciano

The Orioles have claimed outfielder Marco Luciano off waivers from the Pirates, reports Francys Romero of BeisbolFR. The Bucs designated him for assignment last month.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Bucs Dugout / January 7

Pirates batting order has question marks

The Pittsburgh Pirates are just a few weeks away from the start of Spring Training in Bradenton, so it’s time to wonder what the team will look like for the 2026 MLB season.

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The 'NFL passing TD leaders by year' quiz

The 'Most sacks in an NFL season' quiz

The 'Last 4K-yard passer by NFL team' quiz

The 'Heisman Trophy winners since 2000' quiz

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 7

One Pirates Prospect Who Could Rise in the Rankings

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have a top farm system, with some fantastic players that symbolize the future of the franchise. Konnor Griffin became the top prospect in baseball last season after the Pirates took him out of high school with the ninth overall pick in 2024 and could serve as the Pirates' starting shortstop for Opening Day .

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 7

Pirates Could Land Free Agent Reliever

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates had a strong bullpen last season, but are still looking for options in free agency. The Pirates already signed veteran left-handed relief pitcher Gregory Soto to a one-year, $7.75 million deal on Dec.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 7

How Pirates Should Approach Signing Eugenio Suárez

Having already made a few key additions to the team this offseason, there's a world where the Pittsburgh Pirates aren't done spending. With a guy like Eugenio Suárez on the market, it'd be silly not for Pittsburgh to look his way.

Brandon Lowe News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 7

Brandon Lowe, Ryan O'Hearn Additions Help Pirates Address Key Issue

While Pittsburgh Pirates fans were thrilled with the additions of Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn, they may not have realized just how big these additions were.

Cody Bellinger News / Bucs Dugout / January 7

Pirates named as ‘mystery’ team for Cody Bellinger pursuit

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been firing on all cylinders this offseason in order to strengthen what was a last place offense in 2025. The acquisition of Brandon Lowe and Jake Mangum and the signing of Ryan O’Hearn already puts them in a much better spot ahead of the 2026 season.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Last Word On Sports / January 7

With Okamoto Off the Table, Pirates Pivot to Other Third Base Options

Now that Kuzama Okamoto has said sayonara to playing in Pittsburgh, the Pirates now turn to other third base options. It’s unknown how seriously Okamoto considered signing with the Pirates.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Athlon Sports / January 6

Pirates' Jared Jones Sends Message to Paul Skenes After Off-Field Move

The Pittsburgh Pirates had another disappointing year in 2025, missing out on the MLB playoffs for the 10th straight season. Even so, there are bright spots giving fans hope as the club looks to take a meaningful step forward in 2026, particularly because of the team’s young starting pitchers.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 6

Football Made Pirates' Jake Mangum Better Baseball Player

PITTSBURGH — New Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jake Mangum has played baseball almost his entire life, but his family background makes that quite a feat.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 6

Pirates Prospect Duo Named Rookie of the Year Candidates

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have a great farm system, which has some top prospects in baseball that represent the future of the franchise. They

Eugenio Suarez News / MLB Trade Rumors / January 5

Pirates interested in veteran slugger Eugenio Suarez

The Pirates have already added several new bats to their lineup, but the team isn’t done in its search for more offense.

Paul Skenes has made a big change this offseason

25 MLB players on the brink of stardom in 2026

The '2018 first-time MLB All-Stars' quiz

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Just Baseball / January 2

Playing GM: 4 Moves To Complete the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Offseason

Following another depressing season in Pittsburgh, the Pirates entered this offseason dead set on adding legitimate pieces to the roster and changing the narrative surrounding this team.