Pirates’ offseason momentum is already underway, and it might extend beyond their first move. Pittsburgh kicked things off by sending right-hander Johan Oviedo to the Red Sox, signaling that more changes could be on the horizon for a pitching staff hungry for upgrade. And while Mitch Keller has dominated the rumor mill for months, it now appears he isn’t the only big-name option in play as the Pirates pursue additional offensive improvements.
In a development reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Pittsburgh has held trade discussions with the Houston Astros centered around pitcher Mike Burrows. Burrows, 26, emerged as a rotation mainstay for the Pirates down the stretch, posting a 3.94 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP over 23 appearances. He averaged 95.5 mph on his fastball and comes with a lethal changeup, a combination that yielded impressive numbers against hitters—.147 batting average, .220 slugging, and a 43.1% whiff rate in 2025—despite earlier shoulder concerns.
Pirates president of baseball operations Ben Cherington indicated at the Winter Meetings that any further starting pitching moves would likely bring back an immediate offensive contributor to the lineup. It’s not clear that the acquisition of Jhostynxon Garcia satisfies that criterion, suggesting more transactions could be on the horizon.
Rosenthal also noted that Burrows’ talks with Houston may have cooled since Pittsburgh sealed its deal with Boston. He hinted that a Burrows-to-Houston swap could have netted Pittsburgh a right-handed outfielder with solid defense in Jake Meyers—paralleling the potential value of Garcia in the Pirates’ plans.
Even if the Burrows-Houston option isn’t in play anymore, Burrows remains on the Pirates’ radar as a potential trade asset. Rosenthal was the first to report Oviedo’s involvement in trade discussions last month, underscoring that Pittsburgh’s activity isn’t limited to a single target.
All signs point to a Pittsburgh club intent on exploring every avenue to contend in 2026. Whether those avenues involve cash, assets, or both, the organization has shown it’s willing to move pieces that can deliver immediate help, even if that means parting with a pitching asset such as Burrows.
But here’s where it gets controversial: is chasing more bats at any cost the right strategy when the rotation looks promising but the lineup needs more punch? And this is the part most people miss—how do you balance short-term competitiveness with long-term development when the best trade chips are pitchers who could anchor future seasons? What’s your take on the Pirates’ approach: go all-in now with impact players, or stay patient and rebuild around a core of young arms and cost-controlled bats? Share your thoughts in the comments.
