Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington introduces pitcher Paul Skenes meets with reporters after signing him in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. The Pirates drafted Skenes first player overall in this year’s Major League Baseball draft. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
It took some time, but the Pittsburgh Pirates made their first notable move of the offseason in trading starter Johan Oviedo and two others to the Boston Red Sox for outfielder Jhostynxon García and a pitching prospect.
García, who is considered MLB Pipeline’s 85th-best prospect, gives the Pirate six prospects in the top 100. The 22-year-old appeared in five games for the Red Sox in 2025 — his first in the big leagues — and figures to play a role for the Pirates this coming season.
What that role ultimately looks like rests largely with what the Pirates do the rest of the offseason. Unusually aggressive, Pittsburgh has been the subject of numerous free agent and trade rumors. Thursday’s trade was “the first move of the offseason, most certainly not the last,” as someone in the organization said following the deal.
So, what’s next?
More (Established) Bats
García brings an intriguing skillset to the Pirates, notably when it comes to his power. The right-handed hitter slugged 21 home runs in 114 games between Double-A and Triple-A this past year and hit 23 in 107 games across three levels in 2024.
But despite his pedigree, García is still an unproven talent. Sure, he has potential, but there’s no guarantee that will translate to the big-league level. While García is a fine addition and it was worth gambling on his upside, the Pirates need to add more bats and established ones at that.
Pittsburgh has been linked to some big names through the first month of the offseason, most notably National League MVP runner-up Kyle Schwarber. Am I expecting Schwarber to end up in Pittsburgh? No, but there are other other mid-tier free agents who could make sense for the Pirates.
Among the free agent options who have been linked to the Pirates or make sense are infielder Jorge Polanco, catcher J.T. Realmuto, corner infielder Kazuma Okamoto out of Japan and third baseman Eugenio Suarez.
Pittsburgh has also been aggressive on the trade market with interest in the St. Louis Cardinals’ Brendan Donovan and the New York Mets’ Jeff McNeil. Going big for someone like Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star Ketel Marte is the kind of move that would not only be a huge addition to the roster, but one that would invigorate the fanbase. Another name to monitor is Brandon Lowe of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Even with García, the Pirates are not ruling out adding another outfielder into the mix, according to a source. Pittsburgh will keep all options open to improve the offense.
Bullpen Needs Help, Too
Though the focus should be and is adding to the lineup, needs in the bullpen cannot be overlooked either. After trading David Bednar at the deadline, Dennis Santana took over closer duties, but the Pirates could look to add another high-leverage reliever.
Additionally, the Pirates have a need for left-handed pitching, and even more so after including Tyler Samaniego in the deal to get García. Evan Sisk and top prospect Hunter Barco are the only two left-handed options currently on the Pirates’ 40-man roster.
There are a lot of relievers available on the free agent market, and it could start to move during next week’s Winter Meetings.
Rotation Reinforcement
After moving Oviedo, the options to fill out the Pirates’ starting rotation at the beginning of the season are Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Mike Burrows, Braxton Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler, Hunter Barco and Thomas Harrington. Other than Skenes, the reigning National League Cy Young winner and Keller, who has seven seasons under his belt, everyone else lacks experience, and some have already had significant arm injuries.
The Pirates have added a veteran starting pitcher every offseason under Ben Cherington, and they should be looking to do the same this year to help shore up the rotation.
It’s very possible that the Pirates trade another starting pitcher for another bat, furthering the need to add someone. Keller’s name has come up in trade talks quiet a bit dating back to the trade deadline. Moving him would give the Pirates further financial flexibility and net a big-league bat in return
But it’s also possible the Pirates opt to trade one of their younger starters for a lineup upgrade. Anybody not named Paul Skenes (and probably Bubba Chandler) is on the table.
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