Pirates Rumors: Rockies' sudden Hunter Goodman trade shift gives Ben Cherington a second chance

The Pittsburgh Pirates may have just been handed a second chance to acquire one of the most intriguing trade targets from this summer's deadline. And this time, the Colorado Rockies might actually be willing to listen.

According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, rival teams believe the Rockies are more open to trading All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman this offseason than they were ahead of the August 3 trade deadline.

With a potential MLB lockout looming and uncertainty surrounding the 2027 season, teams have become hesitant to surrender valuable assets for players approaching free agency. Goodman, however, remains under club control through 2029.

That makes him an unusually attractive trade candidate in an increasingly complicated market. And for the Pirates, it could reopen a door that appeared to close just a few months ago.

Pirates should revisit Hunter Goodman trade talks after Rockies' apparent change of heart

The Pirates reportedly explored a potential deal with Colorado ahead of the trade deadline, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, but nothing materialized.

At the time, the Rockies were reportedly demanding enormous prospect packages for their young catcher, including top prospects from interested organizations. Given Goodman's production and years of remaining control, Colorado had little incentive to settle for anything less than an overwhelming offer.

But the circumstances have changed. The Rockies finished 2026 with a miserable 58-104 record, and their competitive timeline remains uncertain. Goodman is coming off another outstanding offensive season, having slashed .245/.310/.529 with 41 home runs and 88 RBI.

He also happens to be exactly the kind of hitter the Pirates should be targeting. Pittsburgh has struggled to find consistent offensive production behind the plate, and its lineup desperately needs more right-handed power. Goodman would address both concerns while providing a potential middle-of-the-order presence for the next three seasons.

Unlike a rental acquisition, Goodman would give the Pirates an opportunity to build around an established offensive contributor rather than gamble on another short-term solution. However, Pittsburgh's catching situation looks considerably different than it did when the organization first explored acquiring Goodman.

Rafael Flores Jr. made an impressive major league debut in 2026, hitting .275/.336/.508 in 40 games. Henry Davis remains a strong defensive option despite his offensive struggles, while Endy Rodríguez showed legitimate promise before undergoing season-ending hip surgery.

Adding Goodman would create a crowded catching picture, potentially forcing Cherington to move one of his existing options or reconsider how playing time is distributed. But that's not necessarily a reason to avoid the conversation altogether.

The Pirates have spent too many years allowing uncertainty and unfulfilled potential to dictate their roster construction. Goodman would represent an established offensive upgrade, and Pittsburgh should be willing to explore creative solutions if the opportunity is legitimate.

Of course, Colorado becoming more willing to trade Goodman doesn't automatically mean he has become more affordable.

At just 27 years old, with back-to-back All-Star selections and three remaining seasons of team control, Goodman could command a significant return. The Pirates have intriguing young pitching depth, but surrendering someone like Jared Jones, Bubba Chandler or Braxton Ashcraft would make an otherwise appealing deal considerably harder to justify.

Goodman's 175 strikeouts in 2026 also deserve consideration. Pittsburgh already has enough swing-and-miss concerns without acquiring another hitter whose offensive value depends heavily on his ability to hit the ball out of the park.

Still, Cherington has repeatedly emphasized that the Pirates aren't approaching this offseason with a rigid list of positions to fill. His stated priority is finding ways to make the overall roster better. This is an opportunity to put that philosophy into practice.

With a potential labor stoppage threatening to disrupt the offseason, the Pirates can't afford to spend weeks waiting for perfect circumstances. They have already explored Goodman's availability and presumably have some understanding of what a potential deal could require. Now, the Rockies' apparent shift in willingness gives them a reason to pick up the phone again.

Cherington doesn't need to make a reckless offer to prove he's serious about improving the Pirates. But he absolutely needs to find out whether the deal that wasn't possible in August might finally be possible in November. Second chances don't come around often in the trade market, and this one could be too good for Pittsburgh to ignore.

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