Key Offseason Decisions Ahead for Pirates' Future Prospects

WHO:

MLB.com - General manager Ben Cherington stated, “We’ve got to stay laser-focused on the work necessary to put ourselves in that position next year that we’ll be playing games in October.”

MLB.com - General manager Ben Cherington discussed the Pirates' offseason plans.

MLB.com - Brandon Lowe is a player whose contract is up and will hit the open market.

Razzball - Seth Hernandez is identified as the 6th overall pick in the 2025 draft and a top prospect for the Pirates.

WHAT:

MLB.com - Brandon Lowe is expected to command a sizable increase from his 2026 salary of $11.5 million as he enters the open market.

MLB.com - The Pirates' bullpen finished with a 3.49 ERA and 3.9 fWAR after the Trade Deadline.

MLB.com - The Pirates completed a season with a record of 82-80, marking their first winning season since 2018.

MLB.com - The Pirates finished six games out of the final NL Wild Card spot.

MLB.com - Brandon Lowe played a career-high 150 games, hitting 35 home runs and 96 RBIs in 2026.

Razzball - Seth Hernandez pitched 74 innings, struck out 118 hitters, and recorded a 2.43 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in his debut season.

WHERE:

MLB.com - The events discussed are related to the Pittsburgh Pirates, a Major League Baseball team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

WHEN:

MLB.com - The Pirates are entering the 2026-27 offseason.

Razzball - Seth Hernandez is projected to be a top prospect for the 2028 season.

WHY:

MLB.com - The Pirates aim to break an 11-year postseason drought and improve their performance against left-handed pitchers.

HOW:

MLB.com - The Pirates are considering adding an affordable left-handed starter, with Foster Griffin being mentioned as a potential investment after earning his first All-Star nod in 2026.

MLB.com - The Pirates are considering adding a left-handed starter to their rotation and improving their performance against left-handed pitchers through potential market acquisitions.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are focused on improving for next season, with general manager Ben Cherington emphasizing the need to stay laser-focused on their work to ensure they are playing games in October next year. As they look to bolster their roster, the team is considering adding an affordable left-handed starter, with Foster Griffin, who recently earned his first All-Star nod, being a potential target. Meanwhile, Brandon Lowe is expected to see a significant salary increase as he heads into the open market after earning $11.5 million in 2026.