Pirates News: Prospects claimed, former pitchers ink new deals, Paul Skenes collectible

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ recent 40-man roster churn continued this week, with two former depth pieces finding new homes.

The Baltimore Orioles claimed outfielder Marco Luciano off waivers after Pittsburgh designated him for assignment last month. Once a consensus top-15 prospect with the San Francisco Giants, Luciano’s bat never fully clicked in the upper minors, and with no options remaining, the Pirates ultimately couldn’t justify the roster squeeze.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Rays claimed infielder Tsung-Che Cheng, another casualty of Pittsburgh’s December roster crunch. Cheng, a glove-first middle infielder with plate discipline and speed, was pushed off the 40-man in the wake of the Brandon Lowe trade and declining offensive production.

From a Pirates perspective, neither move is particularly surprising. Luciano was a low-risk upside play that didn’t stick, while Cheng became expendable amid roster prioritization elsewhere. Both land with organizations known for player development, but Pittsburgh’s decisions reflect the reality of limited flexibility on a tightly managed 40-man roster.

Pirates News: Burch Smith, Jun-Seok Shim sign minor league deals with new teams.

As the offseason stretches into January, the Pirates’ recent former depth arms continue to resurface elsewhere around the league.

The Detroit Tigers signed right-hander Burch Smith to a minor league contract that includes a non-roster invite to big-league camp and a $1.5 million guarantee if he makes the roster. Smith spent part of last season with Pittsburgh’s Triple-A club in Indianapolis before being released in July, struggling to a 7.08 ERA despite solid strikeout numbers — a reminder of why the Pirates ultimately moved on during their midseason roster shuffle.

Elsewhere, the New York Mets signed right-hander Jun-Seok Shim to a minor league deal. Shim was once a notable Pirates international signing in 2023 before being traded to Miami and later released amid ongoing injury issues. For Pittsburgh, both moves underscore how quickly fringe arms and injured prospects can cycle through the system as the club prioritizes roster flexibility and durability.

Pirates News: First Paul Skenes Funko Pop! figurine released

Pirates ace Paul Skenes is adding another must-have item to his rapidly growing collector appeal.

Skenes’ first Funko Pop! vinyl figure has been unveiled, giving fans an early look at a new piece of memorabilia set to hit shelves soon. The figurine joins a long list of Funko’s athlete collectibles and highlights just how quickly Skenes has become a crossover star beyond the mound.

According to Entertainment Earth, the Skenes Funko Pop! is priced at $14.99 and is currently expected to arrive in February, making it the latest reminder that Pittsburgh’s young superstar is already a fixture in baseball culture.

The Skenes Funko Pop! is available for preorder now, with another Fanatics exclusive Funko Pop! featuring the Pirates' gold City Connect uniform expected to be released soon.