Pirates make frustrating bullpen move as obvious answer goes ignored

The Pittsburgh Pirates optioned Hunter Barco to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday in a move that, in itself, isn't shocking. But the reasoning behind it is what makes it frustrating.

Barco was far from perfect. In fact, the results were rough: seven runs (five earned), a 5:7 K:BB, and limited usage that never really allowed him to settle into a defined role. But that’s kind of the point. He was a young, optionable arm being used sporadically — and when the inevitable roster crunch came, he was always going to be the easiest name to move.

But the easiest move isn't always the right one — and if you’ve watched this bullpen through the first couple weeks of the season, you already know where the real problems are.

Pirates optioning Hunter Barco feels more like avoidance than an actual solution to their bullpen struggles

Justin Lawrence has been the glaring issue. A 9.82 ERA and 1.91 WHIP don’t lie, and the eye test somehow looks even worse. Leads have slipped away. Momentum has vanished. Sunday’s RBI single allowed to Michael Busch was just the latest example in a growing list of moments where things unraveled quickly with Lawrence on the mound.

And here’s what makes it more concerning: the raw stuff is actually ticking up. Lawrence averaged 97 mph on his fastball in that outing — nearly three mph above his season average. He’s still missing bats at times. But the command, the execution, and the ability to get outs in leverage haven't been there at all.

Then there’s José Urquidy, who made the roster out of camp despite a 9.28 ERA in spring training. To his credit, his 3.38 ERA in 5.1 innings isn’t disastrous — but it’s also a small sample that hasn’t exactly inspired confidence. He hasn’t been dominant and hasn’t done anything to suggest he’s a must-keep arm over someone with options.

But neither Lawrence nor Urquidy can be optioned, and that's where the frustration sets in. Because this wasn’t purely about performance — it was about flexibility. Barco had options, so Barco is gone.

The Pirates will tell you this is about getting him stretched back out as a starter in Indianapolis, and that may very well be true. There’s developmental value there. But let’s not pretend this move exists in a vacuum. It came at a time when the bullpen’s most obvious issues remain untouched.

Meanwhile, Evan Sisk gets the call after dominating at Triple-A — a 1.17 ERA, 14 strikeouts, and a .200 average against. He’s earned the opportunity. No argument there.

But one fresh arm doesn’t fix a structural problem. And right now, this feels like a surface-level solution to a deeper issue.