Pittsburgh Pirates: Projecting the 2021 Starting Rotation

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - MAY 01: Jameson Taillon #50 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on May 01, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - MAY 01: Jameson Taillon #50 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington on May 01, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images) /
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Feb. 19, 2020; Bradenton, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitching coach Oscar Marin (47) stands for a picture during media day at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb. 19, 2020; Bradenton, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitching coach Oscar Marin (47) stands for a picture during media day at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Throughout the offseason there have been question marks surrounding the starting rotation of tje Pittsburgh Pirates. On Monday night, these questions grew when they traded Joe Musgrove to the San Diego Padres as part of a three team trade.

With Musgrove now out of the equation that changes things for the Pittsburgh Pirates and their starting rotation in 2021. There are some players who appear to be locks for the rotation in 2021 and others who are on the fence.

With the start to Spring Training being, hopefully, around a month away, fans will start to wonder which pitchers fall into each category for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2021. Who are locks for the Pirate starting rotation? Who is on the fence? We will dive into that today.

Before we start it is important to mention that the most important thing for the Pirates and their starting rotation in 2021 is to develop pitchers and get guys innings pitched. This is why despite having what appears to be an obvious need for starting pitching help, it would not be a surprise if they did not add to the starting rotation before the start of the 2021 season.

All of that said, let’s dive in!