Skip to main content

Bucs Dugout

https://www.bucsdugout.com/ | 117 entries published

An unofficial Pittsburgh Pirates blog

Latest Entries

Pirates Prospect Update: Pair of Young Bucs ranked among best pitching prospects

MLB Pipeline just released their list of the top ten right-handed pitching prospects and two of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ top prospects made the list. Bubba Chandler was ranked as the second best righty pitcher just behind Nolan McLean and Seth Hernandez was ranked at five. The Pirates’ pipeline of pitching prospects has been one of […]

MLB

20 days ago | 0 reads

Pirates announce 2026 MLB Spring Training dates

It’s been a Pittsburgh winter this year, definitely colder and more precipitation than in years past, and I’m pretty much over winter at this point. Which makes it all that more special that the Pittsburgh Pirates released their 2026 MLB Spring Training dates yesterday. We’re only roughly three weeks from pitchers and catchers, y’all, as […]

21 days ago | 1 read

Pirates urged to trade Mitch Keller to AL West team

The Pittsburgh Pirates are led by Paul Skenes in the rotation, but there is trade value beyond him that other teams could count on. Bleacher Report writer Joel Reuter suggested a trade that would send Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller to the Athletics for outfielder Colby Thomas, shortstop Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, and utility player Brennan Milone. […]

22 days ago | 2 reads

Pirates deal Chase Shugart to Phillies

The Pittsburgh Pirates shed some weight from their bullpen by trading right-handed-pitcher Chase Shugart to the Philadelphia Phillies. Shugart was drafted in in the 12th round of the MLB Draft in 2018 by the Red Sox, and has some seen some playing time in the Major Leagues over the past two seasons in both Boston […]

22 days ago | 2 reads

Ben Cherington ‘Not Satisfied’ just yet with Pirates offseason

The Pittsburgh Pirates are still looking to strike while the iron is hot on this offseason and continue to add pieces to their club. General Manager Ben Cherington said this offseason has been positive to this point as they work towards building a better lineup for 2026. “We have several weeks between now and opening […]

23 days ago | 2 reads

Pirates should go all in, sign Cody Bellinger away from Yankees

The Pittsburgh Pirates are showing a bit more aggression in free agency this offseason by making some signings and trades to help improve the offense. Adding players like Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum and Ryan O’Hearn shows an initiative to be better on offense. The team has also been connected to New York Yankees outfielder Cody […]

24 days ago | 2 reads

Despite improvements, Pirates still long odds to win NL Central

The Pittsburgh Pirates have not won the National League Central since the division’s formation in 1994. The Milwaukee Brewers have controlled the division lately, winning it the last three years in a row.   Last year, three teams from the NL Central made it to the playoffs. The Cincinnati Reds were bounced in the Wild Card […]

24 days ago | 1 read

Pirates projected starting rotation may have promise beyond Paul Skenes

The Pittsburgh Pirates starting rotation is headlined by third-year pro Paul Skenes, who has taken the league by storm since he entered as a rookie in 2024. The Pirates also have Mitch Keller, Braxton Ashcraft, and Bubba Chandler as the three likeliest pitchers behind Skenes, but there’s a chance the team could add a left-handed […]

25 days ago | 2 reads

SB Nation Reacts results: Grade the Pirates offseason so far

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Pirates fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys. This week’s question asked you to grade the Bucco’s offseason so far. It’s not over yet, and there […]

27 days ago | 2 reads

Pirates batting order has question marks

The Pittsburgh Pirates are just a few weeks away from the start of Spring Training in Bradenton, so it’s time to wonder what the team will look like for the 2026 MLB season. Bleacher Report writer Joel Reuter came up with a projection for what he thinks the Opening Day lineup will look like on […]

29 days ago | 5 reads

Pirates named as ‘mystery’ team for Cody Bellinger pursuit

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been firing on all cylinders this offseason in order to strengthen what was a last place offense in 2025. The acquisition of Brandon Lowe and Jake Mangum and the signing of Ryan O’Hearn already puts them in a much better spot ahead of the 2026 season. Many believe that the Pirates […]

29 days ago | 3 reads

VOTE: Grade the Pirates offseason so far

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Pirates fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys. This week’s question is asking you to give a grade to the Pittsburgh Pirates offseason so […]

30 days ago | 2 reads

Pirates interested in signing Mariners third baseman Eugenio Suárez

The Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping to improve their infield in 2026. While they have made some moves to already help with that by trading for Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe, there is more that can be done. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Jason Mackey is reporting that the Pirates are interested in signing Seattle Mariners […]

MLB

about 1 month ago | 1 read

MLB insider says Pirates among MLB’s most improved farm systems

The Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t have a whole lot of success on the field in 2025 but the future is very bright in the steel city. Pittsburgh had a few of their prospects finally make their mark in 2025, with pitchers like Braxton Ashcraft, Hunter Barco, Mike Burrows and Bubba Chandler. The Pirates will be going […]

MLB

about 1 month ago | 1 read

Pirates miss out on Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto

The Pittsburgh Pirates will have to pivot to new options at third base. According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Japanese third baseman Kuzuma Okamoto is signing with the Toronto Blue Jays. Okamoto’s posting window was set to close at 5 p.m. on Sunday. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported earlier on Saturday that the Pirates were […]

about 1 month ago | 12 reads

Pirates begin New Year still without Andrew McCutchen

It has been an absolute joy getting to see Andrew McCutchen rejoin the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2023 after playing elsewhere for five seasons. McCutchen has been signing one-year deals in the offseason over the last couple of seasons, but now as the Pirates are investing in their lineup more than ever he remains unsigned with […]

about 1 month ago | 3 reads

One big need Pirates must address before 2026 season

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been busy this offseason, acquiring several veteran hitters to join the team. While the Pirates will look different on the field next season, there is still a need to bring on a few more pieces to the puzzle. Bleacher Report writer Joel Reuter believes the Pirates need to add a shortstop […]

about 1 month ago | 5 reads

Pirates pitcher due for breakout in 2026

The Pittsburgh Pirates are ringing in the new year, and it should be a big one for many in the organization. Among those looking for a big season in 2026 is right-handed pitcher Jared Jones. MLB.com reporter Alex Stumpf listed Jones as the breakout candidate for the Pirates in the upcoming season. “For most of […]

about 1 month ago | 5 reads

Pirates get disappointing 2025 grade

The Pittsburgh Pirates are spending another year in last place in the National League Central standings. The Pirates finished with a 71-91 record in the 2025 season, which led Bleacher Report writer Kerry Miller to give the team a “C-” grade in his yearly report card for all 30 teams. “In Pittsburgh’s case, an atypical […]

about 1 month ago | 3 reads

Former Pirates pitcher Andrew Heaney retires

Former Pittsburgh Pirates lefty pitcher Andrew Heaney announced his retirement from MLB this weekend. The 34-year-old Heaney won a World Series title with the Los Angeles Dodgers after they picked him up following his release from Pittsburgh in August. Heaney was signed to a one-year deal by the Bucs ahead of the 2025 season for […]

about 1 month ago | 1 read

Kazuma Okamoto to Pirates rumors heating up

I think we can all agree that the Pittsburgh Pirates have had a successful offseason thus far — signing Ryan O-Hearn and trading for Brandon Lowe — but they could really put the cherrry on the Sundae if they manage to sign Japanese first baseman/ third baseman Kazuma Okamoto in the coming days, and the […]

about 1 month ago | 4 reads

The Pirates have a Henry Davis problem

When the Pittsburgh Pirates took Henry Davis with the first pick in the 2021 draft out of Louisville, the general consensus was that his bat was going to play, but there were questions whether or not he would stick behind the plate. Davis was considered the clear top pick in that draft with his power […]

about 1 month ago | 2 reads

Pirates should stay aggressive after Ryan O’Hearn signing

The Pittsburgh Pirates are a team to look out for in free agency as they look to add some power to the lineup after being one of the worst offenses in the MLB last season. The team signed Ryan O’Hearn from the San Diego Padres, who will be more of an outfielder while trading for […]

about 1 month ago | 5 reads

Pirates get good grade for Ryan O’Hearn signing

The Pittsburgh Pirates are improving their offense by signing Ryan O’Hearn away from the San Diego Padres on a two-year deal. O’Hearn, 32, is set to make $29 million over the next two seasons with the Bucs, giving them a designated hitter and outfielder to work with. ESPN insider Bradford Doolittle graded the signing and […]

about 1 month ago | 1 read

Pirates sign first baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn to two-year contract

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made another splash to help their offense.  According to Robert Murray of FanSided, the Pirates have signed first baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn to a two-year contract with $29 million. Murray adds that the deal includes $500 thousand in performance bonuses over each of the two seasons.  Our long national nightmare is over. […]

about 1 month ago | 2 reads