Locked On Pirates - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh Pirates' rising pitching core lays the foundation for a surprise contender—will a splash in free agency finally spark a playoff push? Gary Morgan outlines how Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, and Jared Jones have transformed the rotation into the franchise’s greatest asset, examining the front office’s quiet success in developing top arms amidst fan frustration. With possible payroll boosts a...

Pittsburgh Pirates shake up their roster ahead of the non-tender deadline, re-signing Jack Suwinski and Johan Ramirez while designating Colin Holderman and Dauri Moreta for assignment. Is Suwinski’s new deal really a show of confidence, or just savvy roster control? Gary Morgan breaks down the front office’s strategy, explains arbitration decisions for key players like Oneil Cruz and Joey Bart, an...

Pittsburgh Pirates are steering clear of the Rule 5 Draft for position players, signaling a focused strategy as the franchise looks to build a true contender. Gary Morgan explains why stashing unproven talent isn’t compatible with a team seeking real improvement, spotlighting recent examples like Alexander Canario and discussing potential reliever targets such as Harrison Cohen and Jake Miller. Ca...

Pittsburgh Pirates shock fans with bold Rule 5 roster moves and hints at an aggressive offseason spending spree. Dauri Moreta's unexpected DFA raises eyebrows, while Jack Brannigan, Antoine Kelly, and Esmeralda Valdez join the 40-man roster amid talk of imminent trades and strategic shakeups. Is the front office finally ready to break franchise records by pursuing big bats like Kyle Schwarber and...

Pittsburgh Pirates face tough Rule 5 roster decisions: Will big bats and high-octane arms find protection or risk being cut? Esmerlyn Valdez’s power surge and Brandon Bidois shutdown relief profile headline the debate, while Antoine Kelly’s eye-popping velocity tempts rivals. Is Pittsburgh ready to let go of struggling contributors like Jack Suwinski and Joey Bart to make room for rising talent?  ...

Pittsburgh Pirates take a swing on Cam Devanney for power, but his MLB stint fizzles out after just 38 plate appearances. Was this trade a power play or a costly misstep in roster building? Gary Morgan scrutinizes the Pirates’ approach, questioning the scouting process and their handling of Devanney, as well as the aftermath of Adam Frazier’s departure. Christopher Negron, Tony Beasley, and Bill M...

Pittsburgh Pirates’ ace Paul Skenes makes history with a unanimous Cy Young Award win—has Pittsburgh found its next pitching legend? Rumors swirl about a potential move to the New York Yankees, but Skenes squashes speculation, expressing unwavering commitment to the Pirates and their hungry fan base. Gary Morgan analyzes Skenes’ dominance on the mound, his evolving repertoire, and what his success...

Pittsburgh Pirates face a pivotal offseason—will they compete for top trade targets or watch the Kansas City Royals snag prime outfield talent? Pirates’ front office hesitancy could cost them proven hitters, with the Angels and Red Sox trade markets heating up. Is Pittsburgh ready to outmaneuver Kansas City and finally build a real contender, or will bargain shopping leave the team without differe...

Pittsburgh Pirates cut ties with Jack Suwinski and Joey Bart—will smart subtraction unlock a winning roster? Gary Morgan argues that non-tendering underperforming arbitration-eligible players like Bart, Ramirez, Holderman, and Sawinski isn’t just about saving $7.3 million; it’s a bold step toward shedding dead weight and upgrading the bench with real talent. Gary breaks down the Rule 5 draft conun...

Pittsburgh Pirates fans get a jolt of optimism as Tony Blanco Jr. smashes Home Run Derby records and Esmerlin Valdez dominates Arizona Fall League pitching. Are these power-hitting prospects the future sluggers Pittsburgh has been waiting for? Gary Morgan breaks down their explosive performances, why Valdez is knocking on the majors' door, and what makes Blanco’s raw power impossible to ignore—des...

Pittsburgh Pirates fans ignite the offseason with bold trade ideas and contract speculation. Is a Luis Robert-style extension the right move for O’Neil Cruz? Gary Morgan tackles hot topics including the future of Mitch Keller, Brian Reynolds, Bubba Chandler, and Griffin, questioning who’s truly untouchable and how potential deals could reshape the roster ahead of Spring Training. Roster moves and...

In the final chapter of our Operation 83 Wins series, we explore the Pirates’ cheapest possible path forward. Why they might do it, how they’d pull it off, and what it would mean for fans and the franchise. It’s not pretty — but it’s possible. Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-pirates/ Locked On MLB League-Wide: Every Team, Prospects &...

Part 2 of Operation 83 Wins dives into the Pirates’ latest roster moves, including waiving Ji Hwan Bae, Liover Peguero, and Jack Little. We explore the likelihood of Mitch Keller being traded for payroll reasons, and how the team’s offseason strategy continues to reflect typical Pirates behavior — minimal spending, internal development, and a few familiar faces returning. Support Us By Supporting...

Gary Morgan lays out his offseason blueprint for the Pittsburgh Pirates, aiming to reach 83+ wins and secure a wild card spot using a $35- 40M budget. From aggressive trade proposals to targeted free agent signings and internal development bets, this episode is a full breakdown of how to build a playoff contender without breaking the bank. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Download...

The Dodgers win a classic World Series, Yamamoto makes history, and the offseason officially begins. Gary breaks down the key stats from the Fall Classic, walks through the MLB offseason calendar, and kicks off the My Way, Cheap Way, Pirates Wayseries with a look at payroll and arbitration projections. What will the Pirates do with their budget?   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks...

A Halloween-themed episode of Locked On Pirates featuring spooky trade speculation around Dylan Crews, a haunted awards ceremony for the Pirates’ top performers, and a reassuring look at the 40-man roster purge. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Download the PrizePicks app today and use code  LOCKEDONMLB  to get  $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup . PrizePicks — Run...

Gary Morgan explores whether Jared Jones should be moved to the bullpen, evaluates Esmerlyn Valdez’s chances of adjusting to MLB pitching, and reacts to Derek Shelton’s hiring as the new manager of the Minnesota Twins. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Download the PrizePicks app today and use code  LOCKEDONMLB  to get  $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup . PrizePick...

Gary Morgan hosts a full Ask Me Anything episode of Locked On Pirates, tackling fan-submitted questions about prospects, roster decisions, ownership, expansion, and GM Ben Cherington’s track record. No fluff, just honest answers. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Download the PrizePicks app today and use code  LOCKEDONMLB  to get  $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup...

Gary Morgan reacts to breaking news that the Pirates have hired Astros pitching coach Bill Murphy to replace Oscar Marin. What does this mean for the team’s pitching development and 2026 outlook? Then, Gary breaks down the Pirates’ flawed strategy of acquiring blocked players and answers two AMA questions: should the Pirates invest even more in pitching, and is it time to non-tender Colin Holderma...

The 2025 World Series is tied, and we’re asking the ultimate question: Could the best Pirates team of the 21st century take down the Dodgers or Blue Jays? We build the roster, break down the matchups, and give our verdict — with one big takeaway: maybe, just maybe, we’ve had what it takes all along. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Download the PrizePicks app today and use code  L...

The Washington Nationals have hired Justin Horowitz, the Pirates’ director of amateur scouting, as their new assistant GM. In this episode, we explore why this move hurts more than it should, how Horowitz’s draft philosophy reflects a smarter approach than the Pirates seem willing to embrace, and why the team’s refusal to look outside — or even protect what’s inside — might be its biggest weakness...

World Series Showdown: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays - Who Will Reign Supreme?   The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays face off in an unexpected World Series matchup. Can the Blue Jays' complete team challenge the Dodgers' powerhouse lineup? Key discussions include team strengths, payroll disparities, and the impact of high-spending franchises on MLB. The hosts analyze starting pitching, bullpen s...

In this episode of Locked On Pirates, host Gary Morgan tells the story of how the NHL saved itself with a salary cap after a brutal ten-month lockoutand what lessons MLB can learn from it. From the 1994 labor battles to the 2005 breakthrough, this is a tale of survival, unity, and the painful path to progress. Could baseball be next? Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Download the P...

Today on Locked On Pirates, Gary Morgan breaks down the 2025 World Series matchup between the Dodgers and Blue Jays, answers listener questions about free agent outfield options, and explains why wRC+ is the most important stat for evaluating hitters. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Download the PrizePicks app today and use code  LOCKEDONMLB  to get  $50 in lineups after you play...

Today on Locked On Pirates, Gary Morgan breaks down the salary cap debate in Major League Baseball. With insights from NFL parity, Tony Clark’s opposition, and the reality of small market struggles, this episode explores what real reform could look like — and why Pirates fans should demand it. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PrizePicks Download the PrizePicks app today and use code  LOCKEDO...