This story was excerpted from Alex Stumpf’s Pirates Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

There were few who could match Dave Parker the player or the personality in the 1970s and 80s. A larger-than-life athlete with the talent and determination to back it up, Parker became one of the greatest Pirates and right fielders of all-time. He was the rare player who knew he

Through the ups and downs of the past few decades of Pirates baseball, the franchise has almost always had a reliable closer. Whether it’s Mark Melancon, Mike Williams or Joel Hanrahan, the ninth inning has almost always had a dedicated guy -- usually an All-Star. Is that the best course

This story was excerpted from Alex Stumpf's Pirates Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Dave Giusti, the All-Star and World Series champion closer who found a second career out of the bullpen with the Pirates, passed away on Sunday in Pittsburgh. He was 86 years old. Giusti pitched 15 years in the Major Leagues from 1962-77, debuting with the Astros before eventually playing for

On Thursday, the Pirates formally introduced Ryan O’Hearn – their first multiyear free-agent signing since 2016 and the proud new owner of the largest free-agent contract for a position player in franchise history. It has been a busier offseason for the Pirates, one that has included adding 2025 All-Star Brandon

First baseman Ryan O'Hearn was always one of the Pirates’ top targets this offseason. As a desired free agent, O’Hearn needed to do his research first. Some of it was about the 2025 team, especially on the pitching side. O’Hearn was quick to point out that the Pirates’ staff was

The Pirates agreed to contracts for the 2026 season with Dennis Santana, Joey Bart, Oneil Cruz and Justin Lawrence Thursday, meaning they will not need to go to arbitration with anyone this spring. Terms of the deal were not announced, but sources told MLB.com that Santana will make $3.5 million

This story was excerpted from Alex Stumpf’s Pirates Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Mason Montgomery’s first velocity spike came the traditional way. A Minor League starter since 2021 with the Rays, Tampa Bay moved him to the bullpen during the 2024 season while at Triple-A Durham, when his four-seam fastball was sitting at 91-92 mph just a year prior. It jumped to over

PITTSBURGH -- Expectations were high for Oneil Cruz in 2025. Positioned at the heart of the lineup, there were hopes he could take another step after a 20-20 campaign in 2024, especially since he was another year removed from his 2023 ankle injury.

Jake Mangum may have debuted in the Majors last year, but his statistical claim to fame is from the collegiate ranks, holding the all-time SEC hit record. Mangum loved his time at Mississippi State and didn’t want to leave, but he can now joke: “That record just means I stayed

Brandon Lowe has spent most of the home games in his career under the Tropicana Field roof. It’s practical for the Florida weather, but it pales in comparison to the view of the Pittsburgh skyline PNC Park boasts. His new home ballpark also offers a shorter right field porch, an

When you look at the top of the Pirates’ prospect rankings, what stands out the most is how close many of these players are to being contributors in Pittsburgh in 2026. Their top prospect Konnor Griffin will have a chance to break camp with the team or at least debut

On Friday, the Pirates made what was probably the most aggressive, win-now trade of the Ben Cherington era, sending Mike Burrows to Houston in exchange for Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum and Mason Montgomery from the Rays. The trade scratched a couple itches. There was a desire to add a big

Throughout his seven-year Major League career, Gregory Soto has shown he can pull off different looks. Sometimes, it’s a matter of appearance, like when he donned dyed orange hair while with the Tigers in 2021. “I will try different colors this season for the Pirates,” Soto said Friday during a

The Pirates on Friday bolstered their lineup via a three-team trade, acquiring infielder Brandon Lowe, outfielder Jake Mangum and lefty reliever Mason Montgomery. That trio of players came from the Rays, while Pittsburgh sent right-handed starter Mike Burrows to the Astros. The Rays also received prospects from the Astros in

When Terry Francona reached out to Caleb Ferguson, his message to his new lefty reliever was simple. He needed a southpaw in his 2025 bullpen. He now has one for 2026. “He told me he’s watched me for three years from the other side,” Ferguson said on Thursday over Zoom.

The Pirates and manager Don Kelly announced their 2026 coaching staff Thursday, a group that will feature five new members. Three of those five had been previously reported: pitching coach Bill Murphy, bench coach Kristopher Negrón and third-base coach Tony Beasley. Kelly talked about that new trio in November, while

Brandon Phillips bounced around early in his career, first with Montreal and then with Cleveland. He was already with his third organization at the age of 24 when he first walked through the doors of Great American Ball Park, but it immediately felt like the right fit. “I felt like

ORLANDO, Fla. – While the main focus this offseason has been on improving the offense, the Pirates’ first free agent signing is instead addressing a key need in the bullpen. The club on Tuesday announced it had signed two-time All-Star Gregory Soto to a one-year deal that's worth $7.75 million,

This story was excerpted from Alex Stumpf's Pirates Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

The Pirates have the distinction of having made the best and most famous Rule 5 Draft pick of all time: Roberto Clemente. A lot about the Rule 5 Draft has changed since Branch Rickey plucked the future Hall of Famer and baseball icon from the Brooklyn Dodgers’ system in 1954.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Pirates are entering a pivotal season in 2026. There’s been a stated urgency to win all offseason, and that was seen in a busy Winter Meetings this week. Sure, they only agreed to one deal, coming to terms with lefty reliever Gregory Soto on a one-year,

Pittsburgh is a lot of things, and “sports town” is near the top of the list. Yinzers bleed black and gold, but some take it a step further and join their hometown teams. These seven Pirates from Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania have made some of the greatest impacts in club