On this episode of Bucco Brew, we break down the blockbuster deal that sent Mike Burrows out of Pittsburgh and brought back Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum, and Mason Montgomery. We dive into why this move matters, how Lowe immediately upgrades the offense, what Mangum adds to the lineup mix, and why Montgomery gives the Pirates another intriguing arm.

The Point dives into the Pirates’ blockbuster three-team trade for Brandon Lowe and debates whether it truly signals a shift into win-now mode for 2026. The panel also breaks down if Pittsburgh should pursue Japanese stars Munetaka Murakami or Kazuma Okamoto as the search for lineup upgrades continues.

What this means for the Pirates lineup How Lowe’s power bat fits Pittsburgh’s needs What losing Burrows could mean for the rotation Who else is involved? (Jake Mangum, Mason Montgomery)

NS9LIVE! reacts to Jim Bowden’s comments telling Pirates fans to “retire” or switch teams, pushing back on the idea that fandom is disposable while diving into the frustration surrounding small-market baseball . The crew also debates the risk and upside of Munetaka Murakami, trade chatter around Mark Vientos, and what actually qualifies as a needle-moving move for the Pirates this offseason .

We talk about: • The Pirates’ Winter Meetings — lots of talk, very little impact. • Pittsburgh reportedly offered Kyle Schwarber a huge contract only to miss out while the slugger re-signed elsewhere. • What did the Pirates actually get? A bullpen piece and… not much else. • Are Ben Cherington & Co. actually serious about winning — or just playing offseason theatre? • What this all means for Paul Skenes and the rest of the roster going into 2026.

Fresh off the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando, DiNardo host this week's Sicko Soundoff to hear fans reactions. The Pirates came in hot after a trade with Boston for Jhostynxon Garcia as well as lots of talk of being in on Kyle Schwarber, the Pirates left the meetings without a bat but instead a lefty reliever in Gregory Soto.

NS9LIVE! wraps the Winter Meetings from Orlando, breaking down the Pirates’ missed swing on Kyle Schwarber, the Gregory Soto signing, the Baumler Rule 5 flip, and rising chatter around Brandon Lowe, Jorge Polanco, and potential trade fits with Houston. The guys look ahead at what move has to come next for a team insisting this offseason will be different.

The AMA with Stephen Nesbitt breaks down why the Pirates are suddenly relevant at the Winter Meetings and what their offseason path realistically looks like, from big-name pursuits to smart, medium-sized upgrades. Nesbitt gives a national perspective on Pittsburgh’s plans, priorities, and pressure points heading into 2026.

Jose Negron joined NS9 live from the Winter Meetings to break down the Pirates’ offseason priorities, from the likelihood of a multi-year deal to how aggressive they’ll get on bats like Polanco, O’Hearn, or even bigger names via trade. He also weighed in on bullpen roles, rotation depth concerns after the Oviedo move, and what “execution” really has to look like for this offseason to be considered a turning point.

The NS9 AMA with Alex Stumpf delivered one of the most detailed looks yet at the Pirates’ Winter Meetings approach, highlighting their aggressive push for Jorge Polanco, why Kyle Schwarber was their “perfect” target, and how the team plans to spread resources across multiple bats. Stumpf also clarified key rumors, from Cattell Marte’s no-trade list to the real seriousness of the Schwarber offer.

The Pirates made a Winter Meetings splash by signing two-time All-Star lefty Gregory Soto, and we’re breaking down what his stuff, role, and upside mean for the 2026 bullpen. DiNardo and Jim react live from Orlando with instant analysis, context, and what this move signals for the rest of the offseason.

Anthony and Jim break down a tough Day 2 at the Winter Meetings as the Pirates miss on Kyle Schwarber, lose pitching director Jeremy Bleich, and fall to No. 5 in the draft lottery. They also share insights from their conversations with Don Kelly, JJ Cooper, Jolly Olive, and Jason Mackey.

Jason Mackey joined NS9 live from the Winter Meetings to break down a whirlwind day for the Pirates, from losing pitching director Jeremy Bleich to the fallout of the draft lottery and the reality behind the Kyle Schwarber offer. He also detailed potential moves ahead, the organization’s shifting reputation, and how Paul Skenes is influencing the offseason.

North Shore Nine sits down with Pirates manager Don Kelly for an honest, detailed one-on-one on what it means to lead his hometown team, the identity he wants the 2026 Pirates to embody, and how pitching, grit, and culture will drive the club forward. He also breaks down his sales pitch to free agents and why new pitching coach Billy Murphy is poised to elevate the staff.

The NS9 crew sat down with Jolly Olive live at the Winter Meetings for a wide-open AMA, hitting everything from the Pirates’ Schwarber pursuit and Pete Alonso speculation to Mitch Keller trade scenarios, NPB fits, and even a little Citi Field vs. Yankee Stadium debate. A fun, fast, insightful episode loaded with great questions and even better answers.

Baseball America’s JJ Cooper joined NS9 for a rapid-fire Winter Meetings AMA packed with insight on Konnor Griffin’s rise, the state of the Pirates’ farm system, and what moves make sense heading into 2026. A must-listen episode for anyone trying to understand where this organization is truly headed.

The NS9 crew recaps a surprisingly eventful Day 1 at the Winter Meetings, from the Pirates’ headline-grabbing Schwarber offer to fresh urgency from Ben Cherington and Don Kelly. Even without major moves, Pittsburgh became the talk of the Meetings — and the stakes for 2026 feel higher than ever.

Don Kelly breaks down his first Winter Meetings as Pirates manager, touching on offseason priorities, pitching depth, and how additions like Jhostynxon Garcia fit into the 2026 plan. He also dives into development updates on Oneil Cruz, Joey Bart, and the next wave of young talent.

Live from the MLB Winter Meetings, North Shore Nine sits down with Saxboy Billy for a chaotic, funny, and surprisingly honest AMA covering everything from Winter Meetings culture to Pirates lore and fan questions. It’s peak Sicko energy and the perfect behind-the-scenes look at baseball’s biggest week.

The NS9 Winter Meetings AMA with Colin Beazley dives into the Pirates’ hottest rumors, trade possibilities, roster questions, and what to actually expect in Orlando. It’s a quick, insight-packed look at where this team stands and where they might go next.