Assessing the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Roster and Strategy

2025 MLB Column: Pittsburgh Pirates on the Brink of Contention?

The Pirates Are Close—But Did They Do Enough?

The Pirates have built a roster that feels just a couple of players away from being a dominant force in the NL Central. Their pitching is elite, and their top hitters are strong, but did they add enough offensive firepower to truly contend?

The lineup is led by Bryan Reynolds and O’Neil Cruz, forming a dynamic 2-3 punch. Andrew McCutchen provides veteran leadership, but after that, the offense gets shaky. Joey Bart, Endy Rodríguez, Nick Gonzales, Ke’Bryan Hayes, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa round out a group that lacks star power beyond Reynolds and Cruz. Tommy Pham was added to provide stability, but it’s clear that one more big bat could have made all the difference.

Pirates fans are understandably frustrated, especially with the Reds, Brewers, and Cubs all making moves to stay competitive. They’re right on the doorstep, but one or two impact bats might have pushed them over the edge.

Betting Market: Will the Pirates’ Offense Hold Them Back?

Buy or Sell: Pittsburgh Will Finish in the Top Half of MLB in Runs Scored?

• Sell: The lack of depth and middle-of-the-order pop hurts. If Cruz doesn’t break out, this lineup could struggle to score consistently.

• Buy: If Reynolds and Cruz dominate and Hayes or another young player steps up, they could surprise offensively.

The Pirates’ Strength: A Potentially Elite Rotation

Where the Pirates really stand out is pitching. They might have three top-tier starters with Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, and Jared Jones. Skenes is already being treated as the future face of MLB, and his dominance could be the difference-maker for this team.

Jared Jones emerged as a surprise fantasy ace last season, and Keller has shown he can be a strong No. 2 starter. Beyond them, Andrew Heaney and Bailey Falter provide depth, but their impact is questionable. If everything clicks, this could be one of the most dominant rotations in the National League.

Betting Market: How Good Is Pittsburgh’s Rotation?

Buy or Sell: The Pirates Will Have a Top-5 Rotation in MLB?

• Buy: Skenes is a future Cy Young candidate, Keller is solid, and Jones is a rising star. If they all perform, this could be an elite group.

• Sell: The back end is shaky, and if injuries hit, depth could become a major issue.

Are the Pirates NL Central Contenders?

The Pirates are on the verge of something special. Their elite pitching gives them a shot at contention, but their offense remains a question mark. If they added one more power bat, they could have been favorites for the division.

Buy or Sell: The Pirates Will Win the NL Central?

• Buy: With dominant pitching, they can win a lot of low-scoring games. If they make an in-season trade for a big bat, they could easily take the division.

• Sell: Without another offensive weapon, the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, or Cincinnati Reds might edge them out.

Final Betting Takeaways

• The Pirates’ offense lacks firepower but has potential.

• The starting rotation is one of the best in baseball.

• They are on the cusp of serious contention.

• A division title is within reach—but they need one more bat to make it happen.

Pittsburgh is right there, but they might regret not going all-in this offseason. If they’re close at the trade deadline, expect a big move to push them over the top.

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