The Brewers handed the Pirates a fresh opening this week, and it comes with a familiar name attached.
Milwaukee declined Gary Sánchez’s mutual option shortly after winning the World Series, sending the soon-to-be 34-year-old back into free agency. For Pittsburgh, it’s at least worth wondering whether this is the kind of move that makes sense after already scooping up Akil Baddoo off waivers when free agency opened.
Sánchez isn’t the explosive young force who once put up a 170 wRC+ in his rookie year and then blasted 33 homers the next season. But the bat still plays. He posted a 117 wRC+ in 2026, and there are enough flashes left in there to make him more than just a name on the market.
The Pirates also have a catcher situation that is workable, but not exactly settled. Their group ranked ninth in fWAR at 3.4 this season, with Endy Rodríguez, Rafael Flores Jr., and Henry Davis each bringing something different. Rodríguez’s hip surgery over the summer likely pushes his return to the start of the 2027 season, and Davis still hasn’t solved the bat, finishing 2026 with a 62 wRC+.
That puts Flores in line to open next year as the starter, and he earned that shot with a strong second half, hitting .254/.318/.507. He also turned in slightly above-average numbers in framing and pop time, which supports the idea that he can handle the defensive side well enough to be an everyday catcher in the majors.
Still, Flores has only 54 games and 180 plate appearances of big league experience, which is a thin résumé for someone expected to work with one of the best pitching staffs in the league. Davis helps as a backup because of his glove, but his offense has been so limited that he’s really more of a defense-only option than a true defensive specialist.
That’s where Sánchez starts to make some sense. His 117 wRC+ in 2026 gives him a real offensive case, and his presence could even buy the Pirates some flexibility at designated hitter. With that kind of bat in the mix, carrying three catchers becomes easier to justify until Rodríguez is healthy enough to force the issue.
And there’s another layer here: Sánchez would also help against left-handed pitching, where Pittsburgh has been lagging. His .801 OPS versus southpaws in 2026 was 100 points better than the team’s overall mark.
In Other News...
Pirates Are Suddenly Linked To An Awkward Reunion Trade
The Pirates and Blue Jays have already crossed paths once in a deal that sent prospect Charles McAdoo to Toronto for Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and the aftermath has only made the connection feel stranger. McAdoo has since reached the majors and looked encouraging in his first big-league action, while Kiner-Falefas time in Pittsburgh ended with Toronto claiming him off waivers, a tidy little loop that has kept both clubs tied together in an unexpected way.
Now there is at least some speculation that Pittsburgh could revisit the same trade lane and try to bring McAdoo back into the organization. Any such move would come with a cost, of course, and the Pirates would have to weigh whether parting with a controllable arm is worth reuniting with a player they once gave up in the first place, which is exactly the kind of awkward front-office second act that can linger around a team long after the original deal is done. [Read more 🡒]
Jhostynxon Garcia Is Running Out Of Time With The Pirates
Jhostynxon Garcia arrived in Pittsburgh last December with the kind of upside that can make a trade feel worthwhile long before the player has settled in. Since then, though, injuries and uneven production have made it hard for him to build any momentum, and his first full look with the Pirates never really got off the ground.
The outfield picture is tighter now than it was when Garcia was acquired, which only raises the pressure on what comes next. He is headed into a critical offseason with his standing very much in question, and the Pirates will be watching closely to see whether he can turn a frustrating year into a convincing case for a role. [Read more 🡒]
Pirates Top Prospect Derek Curiel Just Shared A Huge Personal Milestone
Derek Curiels first year in the Pirates organization has been more about anticipation than on-field production, but the top prospect still found a way to make headlines off the field. The 2026 fifth overall pick, who signed with Pittsburgh for $6.2 million, announced a personal milestone this week as he continues to settle into the next stage of his career after a standout run at LSU.
Curiel did not play professionally in 2026 and is expected to make his minor league debut in 2027, which only adds to the intrigue around a player the Pirates believe can become a key part of their future lineup. For now, the organizations long view remains intact, and Curiels latest news gives fans one more reason to keep an eye on a prospect already carrying plenty of expectations. [Read more 🡒]