2025 YANKEES OFFSEASON PLAN

Pittsburgh Pirates Offseason Plan for the 2026 Season

The Pittsburgh Pirates, once again, have a golden opportunity to compete for a playoff spot in the next few years. The Milwaukee Brewers are an impressive team, but it feels like the NL Central is a somewhat open division. If the Pirates Ownership decides to spend a bit more on team payroll in 2026, the Pirates can absolutely compete for a playoff spot as they build around their ace Paul Skenes. The Pirates' payroll hovered around $100M from 2013-15, so a budget of $125M for this plan seems reasonable over 10 years later. Below is what the offseason would look like if I was the GM of the Pittsburgh Pirates with that $125M player payroll.

Coaching Staff Changes

+Manager Don Kelly is retained

Don Kelly went 59-65 in 2025 after Derek Shelton was fired. There seemed to be a shift in attitude with the players, so he should be brought back to lead the club in 2026. Further adjustments to his coaching staff need to be made.

+Ron Washington hired as Bench Coach

Ron Washington has an incredible amount of experience in numerous positions in Major League Baseball. His managerial days are probably over, and his new responsibility will be helping the Pirates team defense. He will fit well with a relatively young Pirates coaching staff.

-Hitting Coach Matt Hague is fired

The Pirates hit .231 as a team, which was 28th in the Majors, and last in the NL. They were last on the Majors in HRs by a wide margin. To be fair, Hague was not given much to work with, but a new voice is needed to lead the Pirates' offense.

+Hitting Coach Sean Casey is hired

Sean Casey's philosophy matches up perfectly with what the Pirates need, which is a coach who preaches using the entire field and shortening up and putting the ball in play with two strikes. The Pirates must increase their Batting Average and OBP in 2026. Casey is also a former Pirate and from Pittsburgh, so he is a natural fit for the Pirates hitting coach position.

+Pitching Coach Oscar Marin is retained

The Pirates Team ERA in 2025 was 3.76, which ranked 7th in all of baseball. Marin should be retained to help this young Bucs staff build on a great 2025.

+Jake Peavy hired as Assistant Pitching Coach

When Peavy pitched from 2002 to 2016, he relied on 5 main pitches (Cutter, 4-Seam Fastball, Sinker, Curveball, and Slider) so that should help with potentially adding a pitch to the repertoires of the Pirates' pitchers. Peavy has been an analyst with MLB Network, so he has stayed involved with the game after his retirement.

-First Base Coach Tarrik Brock is fired

Brock has done nothing wrong, but hiring Michael Young (below) would bring more value to the coaching staff.

+Michael Young hired as First Base Coach & Assistant Hitting Coach

Michael Young was a career .300 hitter playing for the Texas Rangers for most of his career and had the hitting approach similar to what Sean Casey preaches now, making him a good fit to add onto the staff.

-Third Base Coach Mike Rabelo is fired

Like Brock, Mike Rabelo has done nothing wrong, but the Pirates' offense has a better chance to be more well-rounded with the hire of Napoli (below).

+Mike Napoli hired as Third Base Coach

 Napoli was the first base coach for the Cubs in 2024. He is a good fit for the Pirates because he will give a power hitting perspective to go along with Casey and Young.

2026 Coaching Staff

Manager: Don Kelly

Bench Coach: Ron Washington

Hitting Coach: Sean Casey

Pitching Coach: Oscar Marin

Assistant Pitching Coach: Jake Peavy

Assistant Hitting Coach + 1st Base Coach: Michael Young

3rd Base Coach: Mike Napoli

Players to Non-Tender/DFA/Let Walk/Trade for Cash/Trade for Prospect

LF Tommy Pham (FA)

Pham had a respectable season, but with the Pirates looking for a more long-term solution in the outfield, and with McCutchen coming back as the 4th outfielder, Pham is left to be a free agent.

RP Colin Holderman (Trade)

Holderman had a brutal 7.01 ERA in 2025 in 24 games, so he will be traded for a prospect in the offseason to a team hoping for a bounce back campaign in 2026.

RP Dauri Moreta (Trade)

Moreta is out of minor league options in 2026, and with a bullpen overhaul coming, he is traded to away to make room for some new arrivals.

RP Yohan Ramirez (Trade)

Like Moreta, Ramirez is out of minor league options and will be traded for a prospect to clear a roster spot for a new bullpen arm.

OF Jack Suwinski (Trade)

Suwinski hit .147 in the Majors in 2025, and with him due for arbitration in the offseason, he is traded away for Cash or a prospect.

OF Alex Canario (Trade/DFA)

Canario is out of minor league options and hit just .218 in the majors in 87 games in 2025.

Players with Contracts to pencil in on Opening Day 40-Man Roster

26-Man MLB Roster

RF Bryan Reynolds ($14.25M salary)

CF Oneil Cruz ($3M projected salary)

RP Carmen Mlodzinski (780K salary)

SP Jared Jones ($780K salary)

C Henry Davis ($780K salary)

SP Braxton Ashcraft ($780K salary)

SP Paul Skenes ($780K salary)

SP Bubba Chandler ($780K salary)

UTL Jared Triolo ($780K salary)

SP Johan Oviedo ($1.75M projected salary)

RP Isaac Mattson ($780K salary)

SP Mike Burrows ($780K salary)

40-Man MLB Roster

CF Ji Hwan Bae

LF Will Robertson

1B Enmanuel Valdez

3B Cam Devanney

SS Tsung-Che Cheng

C Rafael Flores

RHP Michael Darrell-Hicks

LHP Evan Sisk

RHP Cam Sanders

Free Agent Signings and Extensions

OF Andrew McCutchen resigned to 1 year/$2.2M contract.

C JT Realmuto signed to 1 year/$13M contract.

1B Paul Goldschmidt signed to 1 year/$9M contract.

2B Jorge Polanco signed to 3 years/$43.5M contract.

RP Ryan Yarbrough signed to 1 year/$1.5M contract.

Trades to Make

C Joey Bart, RP Dennis Santana, 2B Termarr Johnson (PIT #6 Prospect), SS Sammy Stafura (PIT #7 Prospect), RHP Thomas Harrington (PIT #9 Prospect), 2B Nick Yorke (PIT #11 Prospect), and SS Jack Brannigan (PIT #21 Prospect) traded to the Cleveland Guardians for LF Steven Kwan and RP Hunter Gaddis, and Kwan is given a 4 year/$50M contract.

2B Nick Gonzales, C Endy Rodriguez, LHP Hunter Barco (PIT #4 Prospect), OF Edward Florentino (PIT #5 Prospect), SS Wyatt Sanford (PIT #10 Prospect), RHP Zander Mueth (PIT #13 Prospect) and 3B Yordany De Los Santos (PIT #14 Prospect) traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for 2B Ketel Marte. Ketel Marte will be the Opening Day Shortstop.

SP Mitch Keller, RP Justin Lawrence, 2B Liover Peguero, RP Chase Shugart, RHP Levi Sterling (PIT #12 Prospect), 1B Esmerlyn Valdez (PIT #15 Prospect), and PIT Competitive Balance Round A Pick traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for 3B Alec Bohm, RP Jose Alvarado, RP Orion Kerkering, SP Taijuan Walker (66.67% of $18M Retained by Philadelphia), and DH Nick Castellanos (70% of $20M Retained by Philadelphia). 3B Alec Bohm is signed to 3 year/$37.5M contract. RP Jose Alvarado has his $9M Team Option picked and is given an extension making the total $25.5M over 3 years (2026: $9M, 2027: $8.25M, 2028: $8.25M).

SP Taijuan Walker and OF Billy Cook traded to the Boston Red Sox for RHP Yordanny Monegro (BOS #27 Prospect).

RP Kyle Nicolas, 3B Jhonny Severino (PIT #22 Prospect), 3B Murf Gray (PIT#23 Prospect) traded to the Detroit Tigers for RP Tyler Holton.

Pirates New Top 10 Prospects After Trades

1. SS Konnor Griffin

2. RHP Seth Hernandez

3. RHP Bubba Chandler

4. 2B Mitch Jebb

5. C Rafael Flores

6. SS Darell Morel

7. C Edgleen Perez

8. C Omar Alfonzo

9. C Easton Carmichael

10. 1B Tony Blanco Jr.

Summary of Moves

-Tommy Pham

-Colin Holderman

-Dauri Moreta

-Yohan Ramirez

-Jack Suwinski

-Alex Canario

-Joey Bart

-Dennis Santana

-Nick Gonzales

-Mitch Keller

-Justin Lawrence

-Liover Peguero

-Chase Shugart

-Endy Rodriguez

-Termarr Johnson

-Sammy Stafura

-Thomas Harrington

-Kyle Nicolas

-Levi Sterling

-Esmerlyn Valdez

-Nick Yorke

-Jack Brannigan

-Billy Cook

-Jhonny Severino

-Murf Gray

-Hunter Barco

-Edward Florentino

-Wyatt Sanford

-Zander Mueth

-Yordanny De Los Santos

+JT Realmuto

+Paul Goldschmidt

+Jorge Polanco

+Ryan Yarbrough

+Hunter Gaddis

+Steven Kwan

+Ketel Marte

+Alec Bohm

+Tyler Holton

+Jose Alvardo

+Orion Kerkering

+Nick Castellanos

+Yordanny Monegro

Rule 5 Eligible Players/Other Internal Players to Add to 40-Man Roster

RHP Antwone Kelly

RHP Wilber Dotel

RHP Brandon Bidois

C Omar Alfonzo

C Nick Cimillo

Opening Day 40-Man Roster

SP	Paul Skenes
SP	Bubba Chandler
SP	Braxton Ashcraft
SP	Jared Jones
SP	Johan Oviedo
SP	Mike Burrows
LR	Ryan Yarbrough
RP	Isaac Mattson
RP	Carmen Mlodzinski
RP	Tyler Holton
RP	Orion Kerkering
SU	Hunter Gaddis
CL	Jose Alvarado
C	JT Realmuto
1B	Paul Goldschmidt
2B	Jorge Polanco
3B	Alec Bohm
SS	Ketel Marte
LF	Steven Kwan
CF	Oneil Cruz
RF	Bryan Reynolds
DH	Nick Castellanos
C	Henry Davis
UTL	Jared Triolo
1B/OF	Spencer Horwitz
OF	Andrew McCutchen
M	Ji Hwan Bae
M	Enmanual Valdez
M	Michael Darrell-Hicks
M	Evan Sisk
M	Will Robertson
M	Cam Devanney
M	Cam Sanders
M	Tsung-Che Cheng
M	Rafel Flores
M	Antwone Kelly
M	Wilber Dotel
M	Brandon Bidois
M	Omar Alfonzo
M	Nick Cimillo

26 Man Opening Day Roster + Salaries (in millions)

SP	Paul Skenes	0.78	124.86
SP	Bubba Chandler	0.78
SP	Braxton Ashcraft	0.78
SP	Jared Jones	0.78
SP	Johan Oviedo	1.75
SP	Mike Burrows	0.78
LR	Ryan Yarbrough	1.5
RP	Isaac Mattson	0.78
RP	Carmen Mlodzinski	0.78
RP	Tyler Holton	1.3
RP	Orion Kerkering	0.78
SU	Hunter Gaddis	0.78
CL	Jose Alvarado	9
C	JT Realmuto	13
1B	Paul Goldschmidt	9
2B	Jorge Polanco	14.5
3B	Alec Bohm	12.5
SS	Ketel Marte	15
LF	Steven Kwan	12.5
CF	Oneil Cruz	3
RF	Bryan Reynolds	14.25
DH	Nick Castellanos	6
C	Henry Davis	0.78
UTL	Jared Triolo	0.78
1B/OF	Spencer Horwitz	0.78
OF	Andrew McCutchen	2.2
M	Ji Hwan Bae
M	Enmanual Valdez
M	Michael Darrell-Hicks
M	Evan Sisk
M	Will Robertson
M	Cam Devanney
M	Cam Sanders
M	Tsung-Che Cheng
M	Rafel Flores
M	Antwone Kelly
M	Wilber Dotel
M	Brandon Bidois
M	Omar Alfonzo
M	Nick Cimillo

Opening Day Lineup

1. L Steven Kwan LF

2. S Jorge Polanco 2B

3. S Ketel Marte SS

4. R Paul Goldschmidt 1B

5. S Bryan Reynolds RF

6. R JT Realmuto

7. L Oneil Cruz

8. R Nick Castellanos DH

9. R Alec Bohm 3B

SP 1st-6th Innings: R Paul Skenes

7th: R Orion Kerkering/L Tyler Holton

8th: R Hunter Gaddis

9th: L Jose Alvarado

Playoff Game 1 Lineup

1. L Steven Kwan LF

2. S Jorge Polanco 2B

3. S Ketel Marte DH

4. R Paul Goldschmidt 1B

5. S Bryan Reynolds RF

6. R JT Realmuto

7. L Oneil Cruz

8. R Alec Bohm 3B

9. R Konnor Griffin SS

SP 1st-6th Innings: R Paul Skenes

7th: R Orion Kerkering/L Tyler Holton 

8th: R Hunter Gaddis

9th: L Jose Alvarado

The justification in giving up so many prospects was because the Pirates need to be very aggressive in the next few years as their contention window is right now. The young rotation will hit arbitration soon and become more expensive, meaning less money can be put into the offense. Without an improved offense, the Pirates will see a repeat of the 2025 season. Also, I could justify giving up almost all of the prospects rated 4th through 20th because the top prospects were not traded. Konnor Griffin, Seth Hernandez, and Bubba Chandler were not moved. This hurts the depth of the Pirates minor league system, but the top end is still filled with good players. The last justification for making these trades is that I do not believe a lot of the players traded will make a huge impact at the major league level. Mostly all of the trades had a large number of players being sent away and focused on quantity because of the top prospects being untouched. The Trade Market was the best way to improve this team because of the limited payroll budget. The current elite free agents would likely demand a yearly salary of $30M or more, meaning the Pirates would likely only be able to afford one of them, so players on team-friendly contracts were targeted in trades. The Pirates would be in a great spot to contend in 2026 with these trades while not destroying their future too much. If the Pirates stay conservative and not make any big trades now, they will be mediocre in 2026, and they will be mediocre in 2028 and beyond as well. I would be okay with this team having a better chance to compete in 2026-28 while potentially struggling a little more in 2029 and beyond, because I think if they stay conservative now, they will be mediocre in 2028 anyways. Doing nothing this offseason will result in mediocrity for the next 10 years, so it makes sense to push a lot of chips in to compete the next 2-3 years. The time is now to give this city a team to be passionate about.

2025-26 MLB Free Agent Predictions

 UPDATE AS OFFSEASON GOES ON:

• Correct Team prediction will be highlighted in Green, Incorrect Team prediction will be highlighted in Red.
• +/- 1 year of actual length of contract will be highlighted in Green. +/- of 2 or more years of actual length will be highlighted in Red.
• Club/Vesting Options will not be included in my predicted contract length.
• Player Options will be included in my predicted contract length.
• +/- $5M or less in Average Annual Value will be highlighted in Green. +/- $5.01M or more will be highlighted in Red.
• The Buyout amount for Team Options will be included in the Average Annual Value. I will be using the Luxury Tax salary.

Projected Available Free Agents (after Club Options/Player Options/Mutual Options)

Top 25

1. Kyle Tucker, RF, Chicago Cubs

Prediction: New York Yankees, 8 years/$300M

Actual: N/A

2. Bo Bichette, 2B/SS, Toronto Blue Jays

Prediction: Toronto Blue Jays, 7 years/$196M

Actual: N/A

3. Alex Bregman, 3B, Boston Red Sox

Prediction: Detroit Tigers, 4 years/$140M

Actual: N/A

4. Edwin Diaz, RP (R), New York Mets

Prediction: Chicago Cubs, 4 years/$76M

Actual: N/A

5. Robert Suarez, RP (R), San Diego Padres

Prediction: New York Yankees, 2 years/$40M

Actual: N/A

6. Framber Valdez, SP (L), Houston Astros

Prediction: San Francisco Giants, 4 years/$120M

Actual: N/A

7. Cody Bellinger, OF/1B, New York Yankees

Prediction: Philadelphia Phillies, 5 years/$130M

Actual: N/A

8. Kyle Schwarber, DH, Philadelphia Phillies

Prediction: Boston Red Sox, 3 years/$100M

Actual: N/A

9. Pete Alonso, 1B, New York Mets

Prediction: New York Mets, 3 years/$105M

Actual: N/A

10. Michael King, SP (R), San Diego Padres

Prediction: Los Angeles Angels, 5 years/$120M

Actual: N/A

11. Dylan Cease, SP (R), San Diego Padres

Prediction: Chicago Cubs, 6 years/$168M

Actual: N/A

12. Josh Naylor, 1B, Seattle Mariners

Prediction: Seattle Mariners, 4 years/$72M

Actual: N/A

13. JT Realmuto, C, Philadelphia Phillies

Prediction: Texas Rangers, 2 years/$34M

Actual: N/A

14. Gleyber Torres, 2B, Detroit Tigers

Prediction: San Diego Padres, 2 years/$40M

Actual: N/A

15. Munetaka Murakami, 3B

Prediction: Seattle Mariners, 5 years/$100M

Actual: N/A

16. Ranger Suarez, SP (L), Philadelphia Phillies

Prediction: St. Louis Cardinals, 4 years/$100M

Actual: N/A

17. Luis Arraez, 1B, San Diego Padres

Prediction: Pittsburgh Pirates, 2 years/$34M

Actual: N/A

18. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, New York Yankees

Prediction: Arizona Diamondbacks, 1 year/$12.5M

Actual: N/A

19. Jorge Polanco, 2B, Seattle Mariners

Prediction: Kansas City Royals, 2 years/$35M

Actual: N/A

20. Shoto Imanaga, SP (L), Chicago Cubs

Prediction: Baltimore Orioles, 3 years/$60M

Actual: N/A

21. Trent Grisham, CF, New York Yankees

Prediction: Los Angeles Dodgers, 1 year/$18M

Actual: N/A

22. Devin Williams, RP (R), New York Yankees

Prediction: New York Mets, 1 year/$15M

Actual: N/A

23. Ryan Helsley, RP (R)

Prediction: Toronto Blue Jays, 1 year/$14M

Actual: N/A

24. Raisel Iglesias, RP (R), Atlanta Braves

Prediction: Baltimore Orioles, 1 year/$12.5M

Actual: N/A

25. Harrison Bader, CF, Philadelphia Phillies

Prediction: Tampa Bay Rays, 1 year/$14M

Actual: N/A

2025 MLB Award Predictions

Below is what I believe the 2025 MLB Awards should look like. This is not a prediction, and instead this is what I think should happen.

All MLB First Team

C: Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners

1B: Nick Kurtz, A's

2B: Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks

3B: Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians

SS: Geraldo Perdomo, Arizona Diamondbacks
OF: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees

OF: Juan Soto, New York Mets

OF: Kyle Stowers, Miami Marlins

DH: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers

SP: Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates

SP: Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers

SP: Garrett Crochet, Boston Red Sox

SP: Christopher Sanchez, Philadelphia Phillies

SP: Hunter Brown, Houston Astros

RP: Aroldis Chapman, Boston Red Sox

RP: Edwin Diaz, New York Mets

All MLB Second Team

C: Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers

1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays

2B: Jazz Chisholm, New York Yankees

3B: Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays

SS: Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals

OF: Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks
OF: Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins

OF: Cody Bellinger, New York Yankees

DH: George Springer, Toronto Blue Jays

SP: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers

SP: Freddy Peralta, Milwaukee Brewers

SP: Max Fried, New York Yankees

SP: Nick Pivetta, San Diego Padres

SP: Bryan Woo, Seattle Mariners

RP: Abner Uribe, Milwaukee Brewers

RP: Andres Munoz, Seattle Mariners

Manager of the year Ballet

AL:

1st: John Schneider, Toronto Blue Jays

2nd: Dan Wilson, Seattle Mariners

3rd: Steven Vogt, Cleveland Guardians

4th: Alex Cora, Boston Red Sox

5th: Aaron Boone, New York Yankees

NL:

1st: Pat Murphy, Milwaukee Brewers

2nd: Terry Francona, Cincinnati Reds

3rd: Rob Thompson, Philadelphia Phillies

4th: Dave Roberts, Los Angeles Dodgers

5th: Mike Shildt, San Diego Padres

Rookie of the Year Ballet

AL:

1st: Nick Kurtz, A's

2nd: Jacob Wilson, A's

3rd: Roman Anthony, Boston Red Sox

4th: Noah Cameron, Kansas City Royals

5th: Carlos Narvaez, Boston Red Sox

NL: 

1st: Cade Horton, Chicago Cubs

2nd: Drake Baldwin, Atlanta Braves

3rd: Chad Patrick, Milwaukee Brewers

4th: Isaac Collins, Milwaukee Brewers

5th: Caleb Durbin, Milwaukee Brewers

Cy Young Ballet

AL: 

1st: Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers

2nd: Garret Crochet, Boston Red Sox

3rd: Hunter Brown, Houston Astros

4th: Max Fried, New York Yankees

5th: Bryan Woo, Seattle Mariners

NL: 

1st: Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates

2nd: Christopher Sanchez, Philadelphia Phillies

3rd: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers

4th: Freddy Peralta, Milwaukee Brewers

5th: Nick Pivetta, San Diego Padres

MVP Ballet

AL: 

1st: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees

2nd: Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners

3rd: Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers

4th: Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians

5th: Garrett Crochet, Boston Red Sox

NL: 

1st: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers

2nd: Juan Soto, New York Mets

3rd: Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates

4th: Geraldo Perdomo, Arizona Diamondbacks

5th: Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies

2025 MLB Playoffs Predictions

 

Below are my predictions for the 2025 MLB Postseason

Wild Card

NL

(3) Los Angeles Dodgers over (6) Cincinnati Reds in 2 games

(5) San Diego Padres over (4) Chicago Cubs in 3 games

AL

(6) Detroit Tigers over (3) Cleveland Guardians in 3 games

(4) New York Yankees over (5) Boston Red Sox in 3 games

Division Series

NL

(3) Los Angeles Dodgers over (2) Philadelphia Phillies in 5 games

(5) San Diego Padres over (1) Milwaukee Brewers in 5 games

AL

(3) Seattle Mariners over (6) Detroit Tigers in 4 games

(4) New York Yankees over (1) Toronto Blue Jays in 5 games

Championship Series

NL

(3) Los Angeles Dodgers over (5) San Diego Padres in 7 games

AL

(2) Seattle Mariners over (4) New York Yankees in 6 games

World Series

(2) Seattle Mariners over (3) Los Angeles Dodgers in 6 games

World Series MVP: Julio Rodriguez