Even though the Pirates are going to finish better than .500, they will miss the playoffs. Let’s go back to March though and see if people’s expectations changed. The offense was fantastic in the first half of the season, but couldn’t overcome injuries in the second half. Can Konnor Griffin reach MVP levels next season? Are we already counting them out on re-signing Brandon Lowe?
Pirates insider Jason Mackey joined the show. Jason isn’t sure if the Pirates will give Brandon Lowe a fair offer, but expects multiple teams to ‘get stupid’ and give him a monster deal. Would it be stupid? Jason is glad Paul Skenes finally blamed the World Baseball Classic on why 2026 didn’t go as planned. Konnor Griffin doesn’t have to be the MVP, but Jason thinks he needs to be at least an .800+ OPS player because they will need a step up assuming they lose Lowe. Jason said the Pirates need power if they lose Lowe and can’t go into the year thinking Jared Triolo is their everyday 3B. Jason said the Pirates should be a playoff team in 2027 based on the steps taken this season. Camilo Doval was DFA’d because there was ‘no shot’ he would be tendered in the off-season. Jason said they would have kept Doval, but his production wasn’t worth the price they would be paying in arbitration. Jason gave his take on a few young guys finishing the season strong. Where will Spencer Horwitz and Ryan O’Hearn fitting into things next season?
Joey Porter Jr. was listed as ‘limited’ with a ‘conditioning’ diagnosis on Thursday’s Steelers practice report. /// Manager’s Minute – What did Don Kelly say to the media after the Pirates win?
