Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Oneil Cruz News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / February 18

Pirates Newest Star Wants to Mentor Oneil Cruz

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz has a massive season ahead of him, but he won't got at it alone. The Pirates recently signed free agent Marcell Ozuna to a one-year, $12 million deal for the 2026 season, with a $16 million mutual option for 2027, bringing a top right-handed bat to a lineup in need of one.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / February 18

Pirates Predicted to Make Postseason Push

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates haven't played meaningful October baseball in a long time, but they could finally do so in 2026. Adnan Virk of MLB Network predicted that the Pirates will make a postseason push and earn a Wild Card spot this upcoming season, as a part of his "Presidential Decrees" on President's Day on Feb.

Konnor Griffin News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / February 18

Pirates Manager Not Ruling Out Opening Day Spot for Konnor Griffin

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have the best prospect in baseball in shortstop Konnor Griffin, who is pushing for a spot on the Opening Day roster at just 19 years old.

MLB News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Live-Ball Era strikeout leaders' quiz

How many of the 36 MLB pitchers with 2,500 or more strikeouts in the Live-Ball Era (since 1920) can you name in five minutes?

The 'Home run leaders by MLB team' quiz

The ''MLB: The Show' cover athletes' quiz

The 'Active 200-strikeout MLB seasons' quiz

Paul Skenes News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / February 18

Pirates' Paul Skenes Playing Role in Finding New MLBPA Leader

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates star pitcher Paul Skenes is readying for the upcoming season, but currently is in the midst of an important duty he has outside of the playing field.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players that could be traded during the 2026 season

The 2026 MLB season is right around the corner, and it is never too early to start thinking about how it might unfold. Seemingly, every year, we have a decent handle on who should contend and who is likely to struggle, which makes looking ahead to the trade deadline inevitable.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / February 17

Pirates Could Pursue This Free Agent Left-Handed Pitcher

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have looked for left-handed starting pitching this offseason, but one name that hasn't come up would fill that role.

Jared Triolo News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / February 17

Jared Triolo's Offseason Gives Pirates Manager Confidence

PITTSBURGH — Jared Triolo looks projects as the Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman for Opening Day and he has the full backing of manager Don Kelly. Triolo won a Gold Glove as a utility player in 2024 and was a finalist last season, but should've won it back-to-back years.

Konnor Griffin News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / February 17

Pirates' Konnor Griffin Earns Hall of Fame Comparison

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates young star Konnor Griffin hasn't even played at Triple-A yet, but he's already received some incredible comparisons at just 19 years old.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Last Word On Sports / February 17

Recent DFA Opens Door for Pirates Top Prospect

The Pittsburgh Pirates recently designated outfielder Jack Suwinski for assignment. Suwinski hasn’t been able to come anywhere close to his 2023 breakout campaign, where he had 26 home runs and a 112 wRC+ at just 24 years old.

Marcell Ozuna News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / February 17

Pirates' Marcell Ozuna Contract Incentives Revealed

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates finally made one of their biggest additions official in free agent designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, who could make even more money than before.

MLB News / Yardbarker

25 MLB players who have the most to prove in 2026

The new MLB season brings opportunities as players head into their walk years and try to rebound from subpar performances. These 25 players stand out heading into 2026.

Should Red Sox trade for former All-Star infielder?

Mariners getting needed bat in All-Star Brendon Donovan via three-team deal with Cardinals, Rays

Giants CEO calls Dodgers a 'dragon to slay'

Yankees' latest endeavor points to a Jasson Dominguez mistake waiting to happen

Top of Phillies' rotation is elite, but also comes with questions

Bryan Reynolds News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / February 17

Pirates' Bryan Reynolds Had One Main Focus This Offseason

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds didn't have the year he wanted in 2025, but he's focused on 2026 and his improvements prior to Spring Training.

Jack Suwinski News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / February 17

Where Do Pirates and Jack Suwinski Go From Here?

PITTSBURGH — Jack Suwinski and the Pittsburgh Pirates have been together for almost five years at this point, but it's likely their relationship is near its conclusion The Pirates designated Suwinski for assignment on Feb.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'NBA All-Star MVPs' quiz

The 'Multiple 20-assist NBA games' quiz

The 'Daytona 500 winners' quiz

The 'Active NBA All-Star leaders' quiz

Marcell Ozuna News / MLB on ClutchPoints / February 16

Pirates slugger Marcell Ozuna sets the tone for 2026 with clear message

The Pittsburgh Pirates wasted little time signaling their ambitions for the 2026 season, and Marcell Ozuna delivered the message himself. As spring training ramps up in Bradenton for the Pirates, the acquisition of slugger Marcell Ozuna already feels like a defining move for a lineup that desperately needed more power.

MLB News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / February 16

Pirates Could Trade for Orioles Third Baseman

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates still seek options at third base and one player might help them solve their issues at the position. Ken Rosenthal of

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / February 16

Five Spring Training Questions for New Look Pirates

The sun is beginning to rise on a new era of Pittsburgh Pirates baseball. For the first time in over a decade, the Pirates arrived at Spring Training in Bradenton not only with hope for the future, but with a mandate for the present.

Paul Skenes News / MLB on ClutchPoints / February 16

Pirates star Paul Skenes’ spring training bullpen session draws unprecedented crowd

If the Pittsburgh Pirates are going to get back into contention, Cy Young winner Paul Skenes will have a lot to do with it. As the Pirates open spring training, everyone had to see what Skenes has to offer.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Last Word On Sports / February 16

Pirates Designate Their 2023 Home Run Leader for Assignment

The Pittsburgh Pirates have designated outfielder Jack Suwinski for assignment to make room for Marcell Ozuna on the 40-man roster. Once the Ozuna signing became official, a corresponding move was necessary.

Jack Suwinski News / MLB Trade Rumors / February 16

Pirates Designate Jack Suwinski For Assignment

10:50 am: Pittsburgh has confirmed the Suwinski DFA. Ozuna will take his spot on the 40-man roster. The club has a week to either find a trade partner for Suwinski or try to pass him through waivers.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Last Word On Sports / February 15

3 Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training storylines to watch

Spring Training games are just around the corner. The Pittsburgh Pirates’ very first Spring game is February 21 against the Baltimore Orioles. Like every team, there are going to be plenty of storylines to follow throughout the pre-season in Pirates camp.

Andrew McCutchen News / Just Baseball / February 15

The Pirates Did Andrew McCutchen Wrong This Winter

This winter, there has been a significant amount of excitement surrounding the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team has finally begun to make meaningful moves in both free agency and trade, which has put them in discussions around the league for something other than Paul Skenes’ greatness.

MLB News / Yardbarker / February 16

These are MLB’s three most improved teams

These three MLB teams have risen to the occasion and improved the most over the course of this offseason.

The '1979 ‘We Are Family’ Pittsburgh Pirates' quiz

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Minor League Baseball on SI / February 13

Early Spring Training Battles Between Pirates' Top Prospects Generating Buzz

Pittsburgh Pirates fans are being treated to an early look at the not-so-distant future with spring training kicking into gear this week. While most of