Pirates free agency: Does Jose Urquidy have upside? Were Framber Valdez rumors ever legit?

Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Jason Mackey and Colin Beazley react to the week of offseason moves and non-moves from GM Ben Cherington’s front office.

How much will new signing Jose Urquidy boost the starting pitching depth around names like Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Bubba Chandler and others? Will his relationship with new pitching coach Bill Murphy yield fruit? Were there ever any legs to the rumors surrounding star pitcher Framber Valdez, who ultimately signed with the Detroit Tigers this week? And what are some of the top spring training storylines with report day looming next week? Could Konnor Griffin prove he belongs on the opening day roster? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

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16 comments

  1. What's obvious is that Rosenthal will say whatever agents tell him to say. I mean im sure that's true of most "scoops" reporters but at least the local guys will make it clear that it's a long shot instead of just puking out an article with no context

  2. RE 3b, at this point i dont even think that it's so much about "upgrading on triolo" as much as it's "i think they literally just need a warm body for that side of the infield in order to survive".

    As constructed, Triolo and Gonzales will need to handle every inning of every game at ss and 3b until/unless Griffin makes the team.

    At this point, i think even a Rengifo makes sense. he's not an obvious upgrade on triolo but i dont see how they dont add a warm body. He doesnt upgrade triolo but he upgrades, checks notes, Nick Yorke

    (Rengifo did have 3 straight good offensive seasons prior to 2025, but i am not banking on that returning)

  3. Im sorry but Urquidy is just a dumb signing. This guy should be in the Mexican League. Hes washed and hasn't been productive for years. Just like Clevinger. The Pirates improved but everybody else in the Division did way more to get better. Im glad your both excited about a team that may not even win 80 games and finish last in the Div. Again. The Bar is pretty Low with Nutting.

  5. Urquidy posted a 1.09 ERA (six starts) in the 2025-26 Mexican Winter League. This followed a successful minor league season in the Tigers system… ERA under three. His health appears to be back. Great low-risk depth signing for $1.5M. My vote at this point would be to sign Patrick Corbin and slot him in as their fifth starter. More upside than Quintana/Anderson. Let’s Go Bucs!

  7. What blows my mind is, Cruz is working with Kiermeier, which is an extreme positive, but in the past, Cherington fired guys who were trying to fix guys swings. So what gives, now???

  10. Things that MUST happen…..
    1. Triolo must pick up where he left off last year with the bat.
    2. Henry Davis “improved” with bat in his hands..by improved I mean at least .230 hitter.
    3. No rash of injuries, no serious injuries, in starting staff or bullpen; keep it at a minimum.
    4. Cruz gets comfortable and goes off.
    5. Bryan Reynolds is…Bryan Reynolds.
    With the up grades in plays and 1-5 in play, how can we not compete for WC let alone the division.
    Of course, easier said then done.

  11. Its weird , supposedly Cherington HAS to win to keep his job , YET , he doesnt add a MLB 3rd baseman , triolo , really—Failure to me !! They are NOT complete , they need another hitter for sure

  13. How about making Nick Gonzalez in a package for a trade. I can't see where he fits on this year's roster and is a major league bat that another team (like Houston) could use as a bench player if trading Paredes. Triolo has more position flexibility and is better at them all so I like him better off the bench.

  16. Fangraphs has Nick G as a .9 WAR in 2025 & projects as a 1.7 in 2026 & Triolo at 1.5 in 2025, projected at 1.8 in 2026. Very similar projections for 26. Only Oneil Cruz is projected over a 2.0 WAR player in 26 👀

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