Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Pirates Pitcher Eyes Next Step in Evolution

Surrounded by reporters and cameras during PiratesFest at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center last week, reliever Isaac Mattson exuded a quiet confidence.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Pirates labeled among winners of offseason

The Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping to break their drought of over a decade of not playing in the postseason in 2026. They certainly helped their chances with some free agency and trades this offseason.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 27

Pirates Star Becomes Latest Player to Join World Baseball Classic

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have Spring Training beginning soon, but some players have bigger dreams on their mind before the season starts. Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz will represent Team Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic this spring, according to insider Francys Romero .

Konnor Griffin News / MLB on ClutchPoints / January 27

ESPN ranks Pirates’ Konnor Griffin in own tier with eye-opening mash-up comparison

There has been a lot of buzz this Major League Baseball offseason about Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Konnor Griffin. The shortstop is now getting another honor, as an ESPN report ranks Griffin in a tier all by himself.

Jose Ramirez News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'MLB active doubles leaders' quiz

How many of the active MLB players with 300 or more doubles in their career can you name in five minutes?

The '2025 MLB hits leaders' quiz

The 'Cleveland's 1997 World Series roster' quiz

The 'Most multi-HR games by MLB team' quiz

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 27

Pirates Named Breakout Team in 2026

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates fans haven't seen their team achieve much in more than a decade, but this upcoming season might be the one they finally get back to winning ways.

MLB News / Yardbarker

The 20 most significant MLB Rule 5 draftees

The Rule 5 draft, held annually at the winter meetings in December, never garners much fanfare, but it has been known to yield some noteworthy transactions.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 27

Pirates Have Top 10 Second Baseman in 2026

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have made some great additions this offseason, but one of their new players is amongst the best at their position. The Pirates landed second baseman Brandon Lowe from the Tampa Bay Rays on Dec.

Andrew McCutchen News / Bucs Dugout / January 26

Andrew McCutchen responds to his Pirates future, wants to return next season

There’s no denying the impact, love, and legacy that Andrew McCutchen has left on the Pirates and the region. The 2013 NL MVP brought winning baseball back to Pittsburgh and may one day have his No.

Kyle Nicolas News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 26

Pirates Pitcher Potentially Featuring in World Baseball Classic

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates are getting ready for Spring Training, which starts in the next couple of weeks, but some players have other dreams on their mind.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 26

Pirates Predicted to Trade for Phillies Outfielder

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have a solid outfield heading into next season, but one that can always use additions. The Pirates have Oneil Cruz in center field and Bryan Reynolds in right field, both players who are looking for bounce back seasons in 2026.

Konnor Griffin News / MLB on ClutchPoints / January 26

Pirates’ Konnor Griffin claims top spot in Keith Law’s 2026 prospect rankings

Pittsburgh Pirates fans have fresh reason to believe. Now, Konnor Griffin sits atop Keith Law’s 2026 rankings, placing the Pirates prospect at the center of the MLB prospects spotlight.

Paul Skenes News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 26

Pirates' Paul Skenes, Livvy Dunne Stun at Cy Young Award Dinner

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates star pitcher Paul Skenes had a big-time honor bestowed upon him this past weekend, with girlfriend Livvy Dunne right next to him.

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.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 26

Pirates GM Addresses Potential Eugenio Suárez Signing

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have made some important additions this offseason, which have improved their lineup for 2026. The Pirates landed second baseman Brandon Lowe in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, plus signed free agent Ryan O'Hearn to a two-year, $29 million deal, adding two left-handed power bats.

Andrew McCutchen News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 26

Pirates Need to Make Andrew McCutchen Decision

PITTSBURGH — There isn't a name more synonymous with the Pittsburgh Pirates than Andrew McCutchen and for good reason. McCutchen has excelled in Pittsburgh over 12 seasons and two stints, putting him amongst the best players in franchise history and their best player in the 21st century.

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

The 'Youngest Conference Champ QBs' quiz

The 'MLB active doubles leaders' quiz

The 'NFL undrafted receiving leaders' quiz

The 'NFL tight end receiving leaders' quiz

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Bucs Dugout / January 26

Don’t miss these three early-season series for the Pirates

The MLB regular season is fast approaching, and there are a couple of can’t miss series early on in the season for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates start their first two series of the year on the road against the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Last Word On Sports / January 25

Snowmageddon: Reliving Four Pirates Games Played in Snow and Cold

The dangerously frigid weather and relentless snow sweeping Pittsburgh this weekend bring to mind Pirates games played in wintry weather. Not to the extremes we’re seeing today, mind you.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / New Baseball Media / January 25

2025 MLB Farm Review: Pittsburgh Pirates

Heading into 2026, the Pirates boast one of the best farm systems in all of baseball. Part of the reason why that is the case is that Pittsburgh’s organization includes two of the best young players in baseball today, plus others who make it one of the deepest in Major League Baseball, as well.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / MLB Trade Rumors / January 25

The Pirates’ Rotation Options

Pittsburgh has spent the majority of the offseason focused on hitting. For a club that finished dead last in scoring last season, the approach makes sense. The Pirates parted with a pair of young starters to acquire more bats.

Spencer Horwitz News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 25

Will Pirates' Spencer Horwitz Represent Team Israel Again?

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have a number of talented players, some of whom could feature in one of the top baseball tournaments. The 2026 World Baseball Classic takes place March 5-17, pitting the best countries in the world against each other at the biggest stage in the sport internationally.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 25

Pirates Still Looking For Additions this Offseason

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have already made some big time moves this offseason, as they gear towards making the playoffs in 2026. The Pirates made a marquee free agent signing in slugger Ryan O'Hearn for two years, $29 million.

Esmerlyn Valdez News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / January 25

Pirates' Esmerlyn Valdez Has High Expectations for 2026

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have a strong farm system, with many top talents that could impact the team in 2026. One of those names is outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez, who had a breakout season in 2025 that put scouts and those in the Pirates organization on notice for his great play, as he earned a spot on the 40-man roster.

Andrew McCutchen News / Larry Brown Sports / January 25

Andrew McCutchen calls out Pirates for snubbing him

Andrew McCutchen is not happy with the Pittsburgh Pirates for a lack of acknowledgement before the potential end of his career. Some Pirates fans were not happy that McCutchen, who is currently a free agent, has not been re-signed by the Pirates and was not in attendance for the team’s offseason fan event on Saturday.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Yardbarker / January 24

Pirates still open to bringing longtime star back

Andrew McCutchen has established himself as a Pittsburgh Pirates legend. He may have a chance to add another chapter to that legacy in 2026.

Jose Ramirez gives Cleveland Guardians gift with another extension

Three winners of the 2025-26 MLB offseason

Three losers of the 2025-26 MLB offseason

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

The 'National League Cy Young winners' quiz

Paul Skenes News / Athlon Sports / January 22

MLB Announces Paul Skenes News on Thursday

Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates did not have the 2025 MLB season they were hoping for, finishing with a 71-91 record, good for dead-last in the NL Central.