Welcome to the Pirates mailbag, where the Post-Gazette reporters Andrew Destin and Noah Hiles answer all of your questions about the ball club. If you have a question, tweet them at @AndrewDestin1 and @_Noahhiles or email them at adestin@post-gazette.com and nhiles@post-gazette.com. Andrew and Noah will answer your questions in full length each Thursday. Below are this week’s top questions.
Ray: Who will most likely be the closer if David Bednar continues to struggle? I know he had to clean in a couple of days ago though.
Destin: If I had to guess, Dennis Santana would be the guy. Manager Derek Shelton has already gone on record saying that Santana, who thrived after being acquired from the Yankees last summer, will appear in leverage situations in 2025. Santana has, at least in terms of the eye test, looked excellent this spring. I have to believe Santana would get the first crack, but that the Pirates could also make things more matchup-based. Tim Mayza, for instance, could appear against lefties in the ninth inning if needed.
Hiles: I’m not sure anyone would be the closer. If it’s not Bednar, I think they’d just go matchup by matchup. I still think it will be Bednar. If I had to pick someone else, it would probably be Dennis Santana. Kyle Nicolas could eventually work his way into that role, but not at the start of the season.
Derek: Do you see the Pirates making any last minute additions either in the pitching staff or the bats?
Destin: I would be genuinely shocked, especially this late in March. Sure, the Pirates have dealt with injuries just like a number of other teams this spring. That being said, I think the signing of Andrew Heaney was the latest bona fide free agent signing we’ll have seen from the Pirates before opening day. If they were to bring a relatively “big fish” aboard this late in the spring, the name that comes to mind would be Anthony Rizzo. But given his age, downward-trending performance and the Pirates’ plethora of other first base options, I just don’t see a guy like Rizzo coming to town.
Hiles: Perhaps they do an additional waiver claim if Jared Jones is going to miss extended time, but I still think that would be a long shot. I would be shocked if it were anyone of true significance.
Ed: In your opinion, who are Pirate candidates who might be last minute cuts or get released?
Destin: Best place to look for this is probably the bullpen. I think Peter Strzelecki could be expendable, especially with the Pirates acquiring a more versatile right-hander in Justin Lawrence from the Colorado Rockies midway through camp. Strzelecki is out of minor league options, too, so he’s probably expendable. Joey Wentz is also one to keep tabs on. I think he makes this team, but the Pirates could just as easily go with Ryan Borucki over him instead. You never know with non-roster invites.
Hiles: Joshua Palacios is a prime DFA candidate. He has no options remaining, and I don’t see a world where he makes the team ahead of Jack Suwinski or Ji Hwan Bae. Joey Wentz and Peter Strzelecki would be my other two picks, simply because there are a few non-roster guys — Tanner Rainey, Ryan Borucki — who were better this spring.
Rob: Are the Pirates in the market for another starter or are they content with Harrington starting as the SP5 on the year?
Destin: I don’t think they are in the market for another starter, and I’m not so sure that Thomas Harrington will break camp with the club. I think Harrington is really close to being MLB ready, and that’s why he’s hung around with the big league club for so long. But considering that Carmen Mlodzinski and Caleb Ferguson are each also on the roster and have been lengthened out to be starting pitching options in case of an emergency, I do not believe there is any huge need to have Harrington start with the team on March 27 in Miami.
Hiles: I think they’re content with what they have. Between Harrington, Mlodzinski and Ferguson, who are still in the major league camp, and minor leaguers such as Bubba Chandler, Mike Burrows and Braxton Ashcraft, I think they have enough depth to get by. They’ll also be getting Johan Oviedo back at some point this year, and we don’t know, as of now, how long Jones will be out. So, no, I don’t think they will make another move for a pitcher.
George: Who is your spring training MVP, Cy Young and ROTY?
Destin: Hard to beat Ji Hwan Bae for spring training MVP, and especially considering this is a guy who needed to have a good spring to boost his chances of making the club outright. Bae has been great in the batter’s box, shown adequate defensive versatility and of course the speed that makes him so stellar. As for Cy Young, a guy who really impressed me was Eddy Yean. The prospect acquired a handful of years ago in the Josh Bell trade looks like he might end up being a decent bullpen piece in due time, and showcased some seriously solid stuff during his brief spring training run. And for camp MVP, why not — give Matt Gorski his flowers. It’s been a long path to nearing the big leagues for Gorski, but, man, did he mash this spring. Kudos to him.
Hiles: My MVP would be Joey Bart. He has had an awesome spring, especially at the plate. My Cy Young would be Ryan Borucki. He’s probably been their best relief pitcher this spring, and I give him the edge over Jared Jones now, because of the injury. Rookie of the year goes to Konnor Griffin. I was very impressed with what I saw from him this spring as an 18-year-old.
First Published: March 20, 2025, 3:29 p.m.
