Pittsburgh Pirates: Should be Poised for Offseason Shakeup Via Trades

The Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to make some moves this offseason after yet another disappointing season. Under general manager Ben Cherington, the Pirates have been focused on building up their farm system and developing young talent. However, Cherington recently indicated that the team may be more open to dealing from their prospect group this winter if the right opportunities arise.

In a recent interview, Cherington noted that this offseason feels different than the past couple of years for the Pirates. He acknowledged that the team is at a point where they need to supplement their internal options. Cherington stated that if the Pirates can trade some prospect capital for controllable, MLB talent that fits their timeline, they will absolutely explore those avenues.

One team that could be a trade partner is the Chicago White Sox. After failing to meet high expectations in 2022, the White Sox seem prepared for a roster shakeup. Core players like Tim Anderson and Luis Robert could potentially be available at the right price. The Pirates have a deep farm system and could put together an intriguing package for one of Chicago's stars.

Pittsburgh's biggest needs are outfield and starting pitching. Their lineup lacks punch beyond Bryan Reynolds and Ke'Bryan Hayes. Acquiring a dynamic hitter like Luis Robert would provide a huge boost, one that would be expensive in prospect capital. Still, the team needs a legitimate hitter to add to the lineup. On the pitching side, the Pirates rotation was one of the worst in baseball last season. A controllable starter like Dylan Cease would slide right into the top of their rotation. A more realistic option could be bounce-back candidate Michael Kopech.

While Cherington remains committed to building through the draft and player development, he recognizes the value in supplementing that core with outside additions. After watching a number of their NL Central foes make big splashes in recent years, the Pittsburgh Pirates seem poised to make some noise on the trade market this winter. With ample prospect capital to deal from, Pittsburgh could look vastly different in 2023.