With Spring Training underway, the Pittsburgh Pirates have already taken significant steps during the offseason, making their Pittsburgh Pirates offseason moves a central topic as the 2026 MLB season approaches. Having signed multiple players to Major League contracts and added several more via trades, the Pirates are positioning themselves for a competitive year. Yet, despite the busy offseason, three key moves remain crucial for the team before Opening Day.
Considering a Trade for Joey Bart
The Pirates brought Joey Bart over from the San Francisco Giants early in the 2024 season. Bart, once the second overall draft pick, has delivered a solid offensive season with a .257 batting average, a .347 on-base percentage, and a 110 wRC+ in 614 plate appearances. His power showed through 17 home runs and a .141 isolated slugging percentage. Though Bart draws walks at a respectable 10.1% rate, his 27% strikeout rate leaves room for improvement.
Defensively, Bart’s numbers are concerning. Over 1,203 innings behind the plate, he posted -10 defensive runs saved and -4.3 framing runs. While his arm strength is notable, he has ranked below the 30th percentile in pop times during the past two seasons and struggled in blocking pitches, with -9 blocking runs and nine passed balls.
Joey Bart delivers 🙌 pic.twitter.com/BQ4hiQokiu
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 30, 2025
Despite these mixed results, Bart finds himself in a crowded catching group. Henry Davis is expected to be the primary catcher, backed by Endy Rodriguez, who excels defensively despite injury concerns, and Rafael Flores Jr., a versatile prospect acquired last year who can play both catcher and first base, offering a right-handed bat to complement Spencer Horwitz.
The Pirates currently have four catchers on their 40-man roster, making Bart the odd one out. Recent trade interest, particularly from the Houston Astros, suggests that moving Bart could help clear roster space and address other urgent needs before Opening Day.
Adding More Depth to the Starting Rotation
While the Pirates’ starting rotation remains a top strength, anchored by the recent signing of right-hander Jose Urquidy to a one-year deal on February 5, the depth at the back end still requires attention. The fifth pitching spot is uncertain, potentially rotating among Urquidy, Carmen Mlodzinski, and top prospects Hunter Barco and Thomas Harrington.
Among available free agents, Lucas Giolito and Zack Littell stand out as appealing options. Giolito rebounded impressively with a 3.41 ERA last season for the Boston Red Sox, striking out nearly 20% of hitters while limiting walks to 9.1%. Littell posted a solid 3.81 ERA and led the league with a 4.1% walk rate, marking them both as strong potential reinforcements for the Pirates’ rotation.
Even if the Pirates decide to rely on their internal options, acquiring additional depth remains sensible. Veterans such as Anthony DeSclafani and Wade Miley are still available and could provide valuable experience. Alternatively, minor league deals with pitchers like Nestor Cortes, Tony Gonsolin, or Jon Gray could offer the team mid-season help if injuries or performance issues arise. Furthermore, trading Joey Bart may allow the Pirates to bring in a pitching prospect who can be developed in Triple-A before joining the rotation.
The Pirates, however, should avoid signing certain remaining free agents such as Marcus Stroman, Tyler Anderson, and Patrick Corbin, as the current internal candidates match or exceed their potential contributions. Strengthening the rotation depth could prove crucial over a long season, particularly if the Pirates fail to sign Giolito or Littell.
Securing Konnor Griffin with a Contract Extension
The most critical move for Pittsburgh this offseason is signing a long-term contract extension with shortstop Konnor Griffin. Griffin is not only the Pirates’ top prospect but is widely regarded as the number one prospect in all of baseball. His performance in 2025 solidified this status, as he posted an outstanding .333 batting average with a .415 on-base percentage and a 165 wRC+ over 563 plate appearances.
Griffin demonstrated a rare combination of power and speed, hitting 21 home runs while stealing 65 bases. His plate discipline remains solid with an 8.9% walk rate and a 21.7% strikeout rate. Baseball America rates all five of his tools at plus or better, highlighting his elite speed with a top-grade 80 on the 20-80 scale. Even his “lowest” tools in hitting and fielding earned respectable 60-grade marks.
Konnor Griffin … WOW 🤯
MLB’s No. 1 prospect goes yard AGAIN! pic.twitter.com/F1VTJnWlWB
— MLB (@MLB) February 24, 2026
Negotiating Griffin’s extension is complex. Currently, the record for a pre-MLB player’s contract extension is eight years at $82 million, signed by Jackson Chourio of the Milwaukee Brewers. Griffin’s potential likely exceeds that amount, with expectations of a deal around ten years and $100 to $110 million, reflecting his elite status and projected value.
Fortunately, mutual interest exists between Griffin and the Pirates. Securing this extension now, especially as Griffin’s hype rivals that of Paul Skenes in 2024, is imperative. Despite Griffin spending only 21 games at Double-A last year—beginning the season in Bradenton—it is critical to take advantage of the current momentum and sign one of the franchise’s most promising players to a long-term deal.
Implications for the Pirates’ 2026 Season
As the 2026 season draws near, the Pittsburgh Pirates stand at a pivotal moment shaped by their offseason maneuvers. Trading Joey Bart will clarify the catching situation and potentially improve pitching depth. Signing another starting pitcher, especially one with Giolito’s or Littell’s credentials, can solidify the rotation and reduce risk in later innings. Above all, extending Konnor Griffin secures the foundation of the franchise’s future and sends a message of commitment to the team’s core talent.
The success of these moves will significantly impact the Pirates’ competitiveness and organizational stability. Each decision carries weight as Pittsburgh aims to build on its momentum from a productive offseason and translate it into sustained success throughout the season.
https://twitter.com/Pirates/status/1950403807650705475
Pirates insider @JMackeyPG says Henry Davis will play at least 60% of the time and catch Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, and Bubba Chandler.
He still believes Joey Bart will be traded. Davis has turned into a very solid defensive catcher.
— Austin Bechtold (@AustinRBechtold) February 12, 2026
https://twitter.com/MLB/status/2026375010856636715
