The Pittsburgh Pirates are wasting no time getting to work on the offseason.
On Nov. 2, the club claimed Brewers outfielder Akil Baddoo off waivers and placed him on the 40-man roster. Pittsburgh also brought catcher Endy Rodríguez and right-handed starter Mitch Keller back from the 60-day injured list and onto the 40-man roster, since there is no 60-day injured list at the start of the offseason.
That leaves the Pirates with 38 players on their 40-man roster, while also giving them another outfield option as they look ahead to 2027.
Baddoo did not appear for Milwaukee last season, but he spent the previous five years with the Detroit Tigers after they selected him third overall in the 2020 Rule 5 Draft from the Minnesota Twins. In 347 games with Detroit, he hit .224/.305/.369 with an OPS of .674, along with 228 hits, 39 doubles, 28 home runs and 104 RBI.
His best stretch came in 2021, when he played 124 games as a rookie and posted .259/.330/.436 for an OPS of .766. He also logged a full season in 2023, batting .218/.310/.372 with an OPS of .682 in 112 games.
The last three seasons have been a different story. Baddoo has appeared in just 38 MLB games over that span, including seven over the last two years, and he hit .133/.210/.278 for an OPS of .488.
Defensively, though, he brings a clear strength in left field. Baddoo has posted +16 defensive runs saved, +5 outs above average and +1 fielding run value there. In center field, the numbers have gone the other way, with -8 DRS, -4 OAA and -4 FRV.
He also dealt with injuries in 2026 that sidelined him for two to three months, but now gets another shot to get his career back on track in Pittsburgh. If he hits better and continues to defend well in left, he could put himself in position to help the Pirates in 2027.
That said, the outfield already looks crowded. Bryan Reynolds is set to handle left field, Oneil Cruz is expected to stay in center if he remains healthy, and Esmerlyn Valdez will try to build on his strong rookie season in right field.
The Pirates also have Jake Mangum, who can cover all three spots, plus Billy Cook, a defensive option in center and a pinch-runner. Ronny Simon fills a similar role to Cook, though he is more of a corner outfielder and not as strong defensively.
Jhostynxon Garcia and Tyler Callihan are two more names in the mix, but both need to do much more at the plate.
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The Pirates have spent enough time building pitching depth that one of their more useful arms could become a trade piece if they decide to chase offense. Carmen Mlodzinski fits that profile because he can fill multiple roles, his salary remains manageable, and his value is boosted by the fact that he can help in different ways on the mound. His role shifted during the 2026 season, and with more competition for starting jobs, Pittsburgh has a real logjam to sort through.
Mlodzinski is the kind of pitcher teams often prefer to keep, but he also looks like the sort of asset that can be moved to solve a more obvious lineup issue. The Pirates have already shown a willingness to deal pitching depth for offensive help, and that same logic could apply again if they decide they need to upgrade at third base and find more production against left-handed pitching. For a club trying to balance present needs with long-term control, he stands out as a potential chip worth watching. [Read more 🡒]
Pirates Suddenly Have Another Bullpen Question Heading Into 2027
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The move also adds another layer to a winter in which the Pirates are watching more than just bullpen depth. Brandon Lowe, who is set to hit free agency after the 2026 season, was a finalist for the National League Gold Glove Award, a reminder that Pittsburgh has some individual bright spots even as roster questions keep piling up. For a club trying to build something steadier, losing a reliever like Mattson only makes the next set of decisions feel a little more urgent. [Read more 🡒]
Brandon Lowe Just Gave Pirates Fans A Reason To Wonder
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Lowes status matters because he was more than just a power bat for the Pirates last season. He became part of the teams everyday core, and any decision on his future will ripple through how Pittsburgh builds around its infield and lineup next year. For now, the fit is clear enough to keep fans watching closely, even if the final call is still ahead. [Read more 🡒]