Pittsburgh Pirates: Way More to do After Marco Gonzales Trade

In a calculated move towards fortifying their pitching rotation, the Pittsburgh Pirates have made a couple of additions. The most prominent was dealing for lefty veteran starter Marco Gonzales, acquired from the Braves. Gonzales spent the past few seasons with the Seattle Mariners. This move signals the team's acknowledgment of the pressing need for reliable arms on the mound.

The Pirates' front office has not been overly aggressive in the early stages of the offseason, a trend mirrored by many teams. However, the acquisition of reliever Ben Heller on a minor league deal helps the team in bolstering their bullpen depth. An area that often proves to be a need for any team as injuries pile up during the season. Heller is on a minor league deal so he is not necessarily expected to be a part of the bullpen right now.

Gonzales brings a wealth of experience and a southpaw presence to the Pittsburgh Pirates' rotation. His career ERA sits right around 4.00 which is solid for a backend starter. His addition addresses one of the team's needs, but there's a consensus among fans and pundits that more work remains to be done. The Pirates must continue their quest for pitching depth, ideally securing at least one more impactful starter. To be honest, they really could use two more starters, but let's start with one more for now.

While Gonzales provides stability, the team's future still hinges on acquiring another prominent starter, someone who can make a significant impact on the mound. The Pirates acknowledge that they need to add more arms, and this remains true even after the Gonzales deal. The team is said to be interested in free-agent starter Jack Flaherty, who would be another solid addition to the team's rotation. Hopefully, they can strike a deal soon.

As the offseason progresses, the Pittsburgh Pirates find themselves at a pivotal point in the offseason.

The Winter Meetings are over and the groundwork has been laid with the additions of Gonzales and Heller. However, the team must navigate the remainder of the offseason in a more aggressive manner. With the right additions, the Pittsburgh Pirates could set themselves on a trajectory toward competitiveness in the upcoming season.