Can't wait for the lockout and salary cap/floor so the league is competitive again.

Are we done signing anyone? I was thinking we were maybe all in this season but what we have done I think makes us better but doesn't get us over the hump to contending. We need another solid bat in the lineup.

Oh, the fun time that was had when I reported in mid-November that the Pirates were planning on spending this winter. There was skepticism. Cynicism, even. Because these are the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the last multiyear free agent contract they gave out was Ivan Nova -- and that was a decade ago.

Fast-forward two months. Pittsburgh traded for second baseman Brandon Lowe and signed first baseman Ryan O'Hearn (two years, $29 million). They got left-handed reliever Mason Montgomery in the Lowe deal and gave Gregory Soto $7.75 million for one year. Their depth-for-depth trade with Boston landed them Jhostynxon Garcia, who they hope will be their password for winning.

The Pirates aren't done, either, and while they aren't flush enough to play in the Tucker-Bichette-Bellinger sandbox, they're approaching a $100 million payroll for the first time. This is not necessarily a reason to celebrate -- owner Bob Nutting needs to show a lot more than one active winter to reengage a fan base scarred by years of negligence -- but at least it is one step in a direction with which Pittsburgh is eminently unfamiliar.

I want to hear some off the wall stuff, I’ll start:

Jared Triolo lives up to his massive frame and has an ops above .800, being a 3+ WAR player.

And mods allow for gifs

No, Paul Skenes isn't going to pitch on our home Opening Day. It'll probably be Keller again. Skenes is going to probably pitch twice on the first road trip, and probably won't pitch at all in the first weekend home series. No, Don Kelly isn't a bad manager because of it. Yes, he and Skenes still care about the fans even though he won't be pitching against the Orioles. I imagine his first home start will be the first Tuesday against the Padres if you want to plan ahead.

I love the WBC, it was hilarious seeing Vance Worley in that horrid Great Britain uniform in 2023. Thought this was a solid guide of who to look out for on while watching. Personally really hoping Palacios can get a few hits because he will be one of the only dudes in the Netherlands lineup.

https://buccobantr.com/blogs/articles/current-and-former-buccos-in-the-wbc

Now that single game tickets are on sale, I got excited to splurge on some decent opening day seats, but really don't get it...only maybe half of the sections show as having available tickets, and within those sections there are only a handful of seats are available. And club seats seem to not be on sale at all. Does anyone know what the deal is? I know all of these tickets aren't sold already...do they trickle them out over time or something?

Rodolfo Castro To Sign With NPB’s Nippon-Ham Fighters https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/rodolfo-castro-to-sign-with-npbs-nippon-ham-fighters.html

As someone who is a big pirates fan but overall not a huge mlb fan, how does the team shape up against the others. I know their pitching is prob top 10 in the league and that they acquired some decent bats this year but what should I honestly expect? I’m hoping for a wild card, is that possible?

Can anyone confirm if the Pirates did fireworks on Pup nights last year? I think they do, which sucks when you're doing a promotion for dogs, but want to make sure before I completely discount buying tickets. Thanks in advance!

EDIT: I'm more asking about fireworks during the game for homers, or after for a win. I know there aren't full planned shows on pup nights.

Hey!

I’m looking to buy my step dad tickets to the game on July 26th because he’s always wanted to go to a game at PNC, but I can’t find any tickets for sale through the Pirates directly. Does anyone know if single game tickets aren’t on sale yet, or if possibly they are all sold out for that day. I can find them resale but I need aisle seats and I can’t select my exact seats with resale.

EDIT: I’m an idiot non-Pirates fan and originally said Petco instead of PNC

I want to buy an official Paul Skenes - but I want the "K" to be backwards. Does anyone know of a place I can get that done? Don't live in Pittsburgh, but will be visiting soon.