The Pirates may not be shopping for a headline-grabbing starter this winter, but their latest coaching move could still pay off on the pitching front.
Pittsburgh’s biggest rotation question might actually be internal: what happens with Mitch Keller after his ugly 2026 season? That puts the club in a different spot than a lot of contenders, who are set to chase the dwindling pool of ace-level arms. The Pirates, meanwhile, can spend more of their offseason energy on the bullpen and the position-player side of the roster.
Even so, depth matters, and one available arm now has a clear connection to new Pirates pitching coach Sean Buchanan.
Astros pitcher Ryan Weiss is a free agent after the team declined an option on him for next season, per a source. Weiss pitched well down the stretch at Triple-A after getting sent down mid-year.
- Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) October 29, 2026
Weiss fits the kind of under-the-radar move Pittsburgh often needs: a pitcher who can bounce between Triple-A and the majors without forcing a big commitment. He also happens to have worked closely with Buchanan, who spent the last two seasons as Houston’s Triple-A pitching coach before the Pirates brought him in for a similar role. His exact title and duties haven’t been announced, but he’s expected to focus on the upper minors.
That hire matters because Pittsburgh has now gone back to Houston’s coaching pipeline in back-to-back offseasons. Last year, the club brought in major-league pitching coach Bill Murphy from the Astros. The Pirates have made it clear they want to build their pitching infrastructure around him and underneath him, so adding Buchanan was another step in that direction.
Weiss’ path makes him a natural candidate to follow. He returned to the United States this year after two seasons in the KBO, then split time between Triple-A and the majors with uneven results.
He posted a 5.42 ERA in Triple-A and a 7.10 FIP in the big leagues. Those numbers don’t jump off the page, but they come after a strong 2025 in South Korea, when he put up a 2.87 ERA and a 28.6% strikeout rate in 30 starts.
Weiss is about to turn 30 and has only 26 innings of major-league experience, so a minor-league deal is the most likely outcome for him this winter. He also still has options left, which only adds to his appeal as a low-cost, movable depth arm.
With Buchanan now working in Triple-A Indianapolis, the Pirates have a built-in connection if they want to pursue Weiss. It’s not the kind of move that grabs attention in November, but these are the sorts of additions that help teams get through a 162-game season.
In Other News...
Pirates Have An Overlooked Trade Chip For A Lineup Fix
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
Isaac Mattsons three-year run in the Pirates organization ended when the right-hander was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners, another small but notable shakeup for a bullpen that is already trying to sort out its shape for 2027. Mattson worked in 38 games for Pittsburgh in 2026, but the results were uneven, and his departure leaves one fewer arm in a relief mix that has been under constant evaluation.
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 🡒]
Pirates Just Added To A Roster Battle Worth Watching
The Pirates added another layer to their outfield picture by claiming Akil Baddoo off waivers from the Brewers and placing him on the 40-man roster. It is the kind of move that can look minor in the moment but still matters for a club trying to keep options open, especially with roster flexibility always in view and the organization thinking ahead to 2027 depth.
Pittsburgh also reinstated catcher Endy Rodrguez and pitcher Mitch Keller from the 60-day injured list, bringing some important names back into the mix. The roster now sits at 38 players on the 40-man, which leaves the Pirates with room to keep sorting through a battle that is still taking shape and could have more moving parts before it settles. [Read more 🡒]