"General manager Ben Cherington spoke with reporters at O'Hearn's introductory press conference and highlighted two areas the team is still looking to add. "If we could add someone on the left side of the infield, that's something we'll keep an eye out for. We'll remain opportunistic in the outfield, see what comes our way," the GM said (link via Colin Beazley of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). Cherington also said they'd like to "add back" to the pitching staff after they dealt Mike Burrows and Johan Oviedo in the respective Lowe and Jhostynxon Garcia trades."
"The left side of the infield is an expected target. Pittsburgh was involved on NPB third baseman Kazuma Okamoto before he signed a four-year contract with Toronto. They've been loosely linked to Eugenio Suárez, the second-best available free agent at the position after Alex Bregman. If Suárez's asking price also proves too rich, the Bucs could look to a one-year deal for Yoán Moncada, Willi Castro or Ramón Urías."
"It'd be more difficult to find an everyday answer at shortstop. There aren't any free agent options beyond Bo Bichette, assuming they're not interested in an Isiah Kiner-Falefa reunion. There hasn't been any kind of trade market at the position. The Pirates would only be interested in a stopgap anyway. Konnor Griffin is arguably the best prospect in baseball. Pittsburgh hasn't closed the door on him forcing his way to the big leagues out of Spring Training even though he only has 21 games of Double-A experience. Even if that's too ambitious a timeline, he figures to be up at some point in 2026."
The Pirates signed Ryan O'Hearn to a two-year contract and added Brandon Lowe via trade, bolstering left-handed middle-of-order hitting. The team is targeting a left-side infielder and will remain opportunistic about outfield additions while seeking to replenish pitching after dealing Mike Burrows and Johan Oviedo. Pittsburgh pursued Kazuma Okamoto and has been linked to Eugenio Suárez, with one-year alternatives including Yoán Moncada, Willi Castro, or Ramón Urías. Shortstop solutions are limited, making a stopgap likely while top prospect Konnor Griffin remains a possible call-up in 2026.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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