The Pittsburgh Pirates already have the bones of a strong pitching staff for next season. What they don’t have enough of is left-handed help, and that’s the lane they’re trying to explore as the offseason opens up.
According to a report from Ken Rosenthal, Katie Woo and Will Sammon of The Athletic, the Pirates are looking to add southpaws in both free agency and trades while they’re at the General Managers’ Meetings at the ARIA Resort and Casino.
"Club officials are working to address that balance, exploring the additions of lefties in both free agency and trades, according to people briefed on the team’s plans,"
That push comes with the clock ticking. Pittsburgh has less than three weeks before an impending lockout at midnight on Dec. 2 shuts down MLB transactions, making this a meaningful stretch for how the club shapes its 2027 staff.
The Pirates’ pitching group has plenty going for it, but it leans heavily to the right. Every starter in the rotation is right-handed, and on the 40-man roster the left-handed group is limited to closer Mason Montgomery, relievers Brandon Eisert and Evan Sisk, and starter/long reliever Hunter Barco.
That imbalance showed up in the numbers, too. Pittsburgh threw the third-fewest left-handed innings in baseball this season, according to Fangraphs, with 214.2. Only the Miami Marlins at 164.2 and the Seattle Mariners at 163.1 logged fewer.
It’s also a shift from recent seasons, when the Pirates added a veteran lefty later in free agency. That list has included Andrew Heaney in 2025, Martín Pérez in 2024, Rich Hill in 2023, José Quintana in 2022 and Tyler Anderson in 2021.
The need isn’t just about balance for balance’s sake. Left-handed pitching could help against left-handed hitters, after Pittsburgh allowed the 10th-highest ERA in baseball at 4.56, along with the 10th-highest slugging percentage at .409 and the 11th-highest on-base percentage at .329.
Rotation depth is part of the conversation, too. The Pirates would like to add there if they can, especially after lengthy injury histories for Braxton Ashcraft and Jones, and Mitch Keller missing the last two months of the season.
A few free-agent starters fit the profile. Foster Griffin, who excelled for the Washington Nationals and in the postseason with the Cleveland Guardians, would bring innings and durability.
Trevor Rogers is another name, after bouncing back from injury and dominating with the Baltimore Orioles the last two seasons. Robbie Ray, a two-time All-Star, is also among the options after strong recent seasons.
The bullpen could use another lefty as well. Alex Vesia and JoJo Romero are two names that could give the Pirates a boost.
Vesia has been one of the best strikeout relievers with the Los Angeles Dodgers over the past few seasons, while Romero has been effective with the St. Louis Cardinals and helped the Milwaukee Brewers win the World Series.
Money will matter here. The Pirates already have a projected 2027 payroll of $100 million before any additions are made.
That’s why trades may end up being the more likely route. Free agency would cost the Pirates, while a trade could also allow them to move salary as part of the deal.
In Other News...
Ben Cherington Just Raised The Pressure On The Pirates Offseason
At the MLB general managers meetings, Ben Cherington put a sharper edge on Pittsburghs offseason message, saying the Pirates are not boxed in financially even after a rise in payroll commitments and arbitration raises. He did acknowledge the club is operating in a different financial setting than it did a year ago, but he was clear that the priority remains the same: improve the roster.
Cherington also said the Pirates are still in discussions with Brandon Lowe about the qualifying offer, keeping another layer of uncertainty attached to the winter plans. For a team trying to turn a more ambitious offseason into actual progress, the comments suggest the front office sees room to act, even if the next move is still being sorted out. [Read more 🡒]
Pirates Could Be Settling For Less Power At A Bad Time
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The catch is that this kind of move would come with a clear offensive tradeoff, especially at a time when Pittsburgh could use more punch in the lineup. Brandon Lowe is the bigger bat in the conversation and has been the more dangerous power threat, while Crawfords left-handed profile may not do much to solve the Pirates issues against left-handed pitching, leaving the club to weigh fit against firepower as the offseason unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
Pirates Offseason Plans Just Got Tied To Mitch Kellers Status
Mitch Kellers season ended early, but the Pirates are now getting a much better read on what comes next for one of their most important arms. General manager Ben Cherington said Keller is basically recovered and has resumed throwing, which gives Pittsburgh a more stable starting point as it shapes an offseason that already figures to be influenced by the makeup of its rotation and the demands of its home park.
The bigger roster question is how the Pirates balance a staff that leans heavily right-handed. Adding left-handed pitching is on the table, and Kellers progress helps clarify how aggressive the club can be in addressing that need. For a team trying to build a more versatile staff, his status matters not just for next season, but for the way the entire pitching plan is being framed. [Read more 🡒]