Pittsburgh Pirates shock fans with bold Rule 5 roster moves and hints at an aggressive offseason spending spree. Dauri Moreta's unexpected DFA raises eyebrows, while Jack Brannigan, Antoine Kelly, and Esmeralda Valdez join the 40-man roster amid talk of imminent trades and strategic shakeups. Is the front office finally ready to break franchise records by pursuing big bats like Kyle Schwarber and Josh Naylor? Gary Morgan spotlights the Pirates’ rising willingness to spend—reportedly offering over $80 million for power hitters—and explores whether Mitch Keller is truly on the trade block. Intrigue surrounds 19-year-old phenom Konnor Griffin, who could vie for the starting shortstop job in spring training. Can Griffin’s versatility reshape the infield and spark a new era for the Buccos? Get informed on key prospects, potential free agent targets, and how these moves could redefine the Pirates’ outlook for 2025 and beyond.

Pittsburgh Pirates face tough Rule 5 roster decisions: Will big bats and high-octane arms find protection or risk being cut? Esmerlyn Valdez’s power surge and Brandon Bidois shutdown relief profile headline the debate, while Antoine Kelly’s eye-popping velocity tempts rivals. Is Pittsburgh ready to let go of struggling contributors like Jack Suwinski and Joey Bart to make room for rising talent? Gary Morgan breaks down the Pirates’ strategy for balancing roster health and upside, exploring possible non-tenders, free agent flexibility, and reliever logjams. Key insights include the futures of Wilber Dotel and Omar Alfonso, potential trade signals, and how Ben Cherington’s decisions could reshape the Buccos’ upcoming season. With crucial spots in play and offseason expectations rising, can the Pirates finally commit to bold moves for 2026?

Pittsburgh Pirates take a swing on Cam Devanney for power, but his MLB stint fizzles out after just 38 plate appearances. Was this trade a power play or a costly misstep in roster building? Gary Morgan scrutinizes the Pirates’ approach, questioning the scouting process and their handling of Devanney, as well as the aftermath of Adam Frazier’s departure. Christopher Negron, Tony Beasley, and Bill Murphy headline a revamped coaching staff aimed at bridging the gap between AAA talent and big-league impact. Gary Morgan spotlights how a younger, development-focused bench could reshape strategy and help the Pirates break out of old habits. The show also covers the fate of Steel City Pirates writing and previews an exclusive Everyday Club for dedicated fans. Are the Pirates finally ready to build a contender by blending youth, innovation, and better player development?

Pittsburgh Pirates’ ace Paul Skenes makes history with a unanimous Cy Young Award win—has Pittsburgh found its next pitching legend? Rumors swirl about a potential move to the New York Yankees, but Skenes squashes speculation, expressing unwavering commitment to the Pirates and their hungry fan base. Gary Morgan analyzes Skenes’ dominance on the mound, his evolving repertoire, and what his success means for the team’s future. Key topics include contract challenges, Baseball America’s optimism about rising stars like Connor Griffin and Jared Jones, and the blueprint for building a championship contender in Pittsburgh. Will the Pirates capitalize on generational talent to finally break decades of frustration?

Pittsburgh Pirates face a pivotal offseason—will they compete for top trade targets or watch the Kansas City Royals snag prime outfield talent? Pirates’ front office hesitancy could cost them proven hitters, with the Angels and Red Sox trade markets heating up. Is Pittsburgh ready to outmaneuver Kansas City and finally build a real contender, or will bargain shopping leave the team without difference-makers in the lineup? Gary Morgan breaks down the head-to-head battle between Nick Gonzalez and Nick York for second base, revealing which young infielder holds the edge and why decisive player evaluations matter for the Pirates’ playoff hopes. Get an inside look at advanced stat Wobicon and learn how contact quality could shape trade decisions. With the Padres facing financial turmoil, which teams will exploit offseason opportunities—and will the Pirates be aggressive enough to seize them?

Pittsburgh Pirates cut ties with Jack Suwinski and Joey Bart—will smart subtraction unlock a winning roster? Gary Morgan argues that non-tendering underperforming arbitration-eligible players like Bart, Ramirez, Holderman, and Sawinski isn’t just about saving $7.3 million; it’s a bold step toward shedding dead weight and upgrading the bench with real talent. Gary breaks down the Rule 5 draft conundrum, weighing the merits of protecting high-upside arms Brandon Bidois, Antoine Kelly, and Esmeralda Valdez for the 40-man roster. Can the Pirates leverage freed-up roster spots to sign impactful veterans and foster breakout performances? Critical questions include Henry Davis’s development: after focusing on defense and overcoming mechanical issues, could he emerge as a much stronger hitter in 2026? Discover which prospects could define Pittsburgh’s future and why hard decisions set the stage for a competitive season.

Pittsburgh Pirates fans get a jolt of optimism as Tony Blanco Jr. smashes Home Run Derby records and Esmerlin Valdez dominates Arizona Fall League pitching. Are these power-hitting prospects the future sluggers Pittsburgh has been waiting for? Gary Morgan breaks down their explosive performances, why Valdez is knocking on the majors' door, and what makes Blanco’s raw power impossible to ignore—despite lingering questions about his contact skills and future position. The conversation swings to potential off-season moves, including the realistic chances of the Pirates winning the Munetaka Murakami sweepstakes and the strategic value behind Joe La Sorsa’s addition to the bullpen. Gary Morgan tackles fan skepticism, examines front office philosophy, and considers what smart roster-building really looks like in Pittsburgh. Don’t miss this high-energy look at where the Pirates stand now—and how far this new wave of talent might carry them.

Pittsburgh Pirates fans ignite the offseason with bold trade ideas and contract speculation. Is a Luis Robert-style extension the right move for O’Neil Cruz? Gary Morgan tackles hot topics including the future of Mitch Keller, Brian Reynolds, Bubba Chandler, and Griffin, questioning who’s truly untouchable and how potential deals could reshape the roster ahead of Spring Training. Roster moves and developmental strategies dominate the discussion as Gary Morgan explores prospects like Turmar Johnson, the impact of acquiring names such as Taylor Ward, Joe Adele, and Kobe Mayo, and debates unconventional approaches for building a stronger major-league lineup. Insights on international scouting, bullpen reinforcements, and proactive GM tactics set the stage for a pivotal offseason. Will the Pirates seize their opportunity to contend, or stick to familiar patterns and risk stagnation?

In the final chapter of our Operation 83 Wins series, we explore the Pirates’ cheapest possible path forward. Why they might do it, how they’d pull it off, and what it would mean for fans and the franchise. It’s not pretty — but it’s possible.

Part 2 of Operation 83 Wins dives into the Pirates’ latest roster moves, including waiving Ji Hwan Bae, Liover Peguero, and Jack Little. We explore the likelihood of Mitch Keller being traded for payroll reasons, and how the team’s offseason strategy continues to reflect typical Pirates behavior — minimal spending, internal development, and a few familiar faces returning.

Gary Morgan lays out his offseason blueprint for the Pittsburgh Pirates, aiming to reach 83+ wins and secure a wild card spot using a $35- 40M budget. From aggressive trade proposals to targeted free agent signings and internal development bets, this episode is a full breakdown of how to build a playoff contender without breaking the bank.

The Dodgers win a classic World Series, Yamamoto makes history, and the offseason officially begins. Gary breaks down the key stats from the Fall Classic, walks through the MLB offseason calendar, and kicks off the My Way, Cheap Way, Pirates Wayseries with a look at payroll and arbitration projections. What will the Pirates do with their budget?

A Halloween-themed episode of Locked On Pirates featuring spooky trade speculation around Dylan Crews, a haunted awards ceremony for the Pirates’ top performers, and a reassuring look at the 40-man roster purge.

Gary Morgan explores whether Jared Jones should be moved to the bullpen, evaluates Esmerlyn Valdez’s chances of adjusting to MLB pitching, and reacts to Derek Shelton’s hiring as the new manager of the Minnesota Twins.

Gary Morgan hosts a full Ask Me Anything episode of Locked On Pirates, tackling fan-submitted questions about prospects, roster decisions, ownership, expansion, and GM Ben Cherington’s track record. No fluff, just honest answers.

Gary Morgan reacts to breaking news that the Pirates have hired Astros pitching coach Bill Murphy to replace Oscar Marin. What does this mean for the team’s pitching development and 2026 outlook? Then, Gary breaks down the Pirates’ flawed strategy of acquiring blocked players and answers two AMA questions: should the Pirates invest even more in pitching, and is it time to non-tender Colin Holderman and Jack Suwinski—even if they might thrive elsewhere?

The 2025 World Series is tied, and we’re asking the ultimate question: Could the best Pirates team of the 21st century take down the Dodgers or Blue Jays? We build the roster, break down the matchups, and give our verdict — with one big takeaway: maybe, just maybe, we’ve had what it takes all along.

The Washington Nationals have hired Justin Horowitz, the Pirates’ director of amateur scouting, as their new assistant GM. In this episode, we explore why this move hurts more than it should, how Horowitz’s draft philosophy reflects a smarter approach than the Pirates seem willing to embrace, and why the team’s refusal to look outside — or even protect what’s inside — might be its biggest weakness.

In this episode of Locked On Pirates, host Gary Morgan tells the story of how the NHL saved itself with a salary cap after a brutal ten-month lockoutand what lessons MLB can learn from it. From the 1994 labor battles to the 2005 breakthrough, this is a tale of survival, unity, and the painful path to progress. Could baseball be next?