The Pirates’ handling of franchise icon Andrew McCutchen is definitely turning heads. Recently, his absence from the team’s annual Fan Festival didn’t go unnoticed. And with rumors swirling about a possible pursuit of Phillies slugger Nick Castellanos, it’s starting to feel like fans may have already seen McCutchen in a Pirates jersey for the last time.

Now, McCutchen’s latest social media post added fuel to the fire. It only deepened speculation that the relationship between the organization and its most decorated player may have hit a new low. Still, that hasn’t slowed Pittsburgh down on the market. Even with the spotlight firmly on McCutchen and the Castellanos rumors, the Pirates are now being linked to a $42 million offensive force.

ESPN predicted the Pittsburgh Pirates would trade for Nick Castellanos while also mentioning the Phillies would take on most of his contract. They also predicted the Pirates would sign Eugenio Suarez for 2 years and $42 million. Honestly, sign me up for both,” MLB insider Cody Duncan shared via X.

Well, the Pirates still need offense, and Nick Castellanos is still looking for a new landing spot. So there’s been some chatter about the Phillies eating a big chunk of his deal. It may be $15 million of the $20 million he’s owed in 2026, and sending him to Pittsburgh without anything in return.

The Pirates would basically just take on the contract and let Castellanos rake at PNC Park. Honestly, it’s not the worst idea on the table. It’s simple, direct, and immediately upgrades the lineup without costing prospects.

But the real focus seems to be shifting toward something bigger. And that’s Eugenio Suárez. If Pittsburgh wants a true power jolt, this is the name that actually moves the needle.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Pirates are nearing a $100 million payroll for 2026. And they have their eyes on the 49-home run free agent. Surely, why not?

Suárez is widely viewed as the best bat still available, and with spring training just weeks away, he’s still unsigned. Timing matters because once camps open, teams tend to become more aggressive.

For a Pirates team desperate for power, a short-term deal worth $42 million with a high AAV makes a ton of sense. It’s not a long commitment, but it brings instant thump.

The 33-year-old split time between the Diamondbacks and Mariners in 2025. He still managed to slash .228/.298/.526, exactly the kind of damage Pittsburgh’s lineup has been missing.

And if that’s the direction they’re heading, it might signal something else too. Because a big offensive upgrade usually comes with a tough goodbye.

That’s where Andrew McCutchen enters the picture. If money is being allocated toward bats like Suárez, it’s hard not to wonder if Pittsburgh is quietly turning the page.

McCutchen didn’t hold back in a pointed late-night social media post after missing PiratesFest. He criticized the organization’s handling of his free agency and contrasted it with how other teams honored their longtime stars.

He specifically mentioned Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina, Adam Wainwright, Clayton Kershaw, and Miguel Cabrera as examples of legends who got proper send-offs. And the message felt loud, even without him saying it directly.

So, reading between the lines, it came off like a clear sign of no return. Not just frustration, but closure. The kind that makes it feel like the chapter is already written.

And if that’s the case, the Pirates look ready to move forward full steam ahead. They’re less focused on nostalgia now and more locked in on fixing the offense.

Because at the end of the day, upgrades like Castellanos and Suárez aren’t just rumors. They’re a signal that Pittsburgh is finally pushing its chips in.

Paul Skenes might have gotten what he expected from the Pirates

Throughout 2025, the narrative was that the Pirates were wasting Paul Skenes’ prime by not surrounding him with enough talent. That criticism followed them everywhere. But this offseason, Pittsburgh flipped the script, and Skenes has clearly noticed.

Talking recently about where the team stands heading into the new year, Skenes sounded confident about the direction of the roster, even while stressing that it all has to translate on the field. “It’s looking right now like we have a better roster than last year,” he said.

He also mentioned reaching out to several of the new faces. And he appreciated how vocal they’ve been about wanting to be in Pittsburgh. The talent level is definitely higher. There’s real firepower now to challenge a playoff drought that’s stretched more than a decade. And with the moves the Pirates have initiated this year, including increasing their payroll to a good $100 million, Skenes have all the reasons to smile again!

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So now, with a revamped roster and likely without Andrew McCutchen, all eyes turn to what this new-look Pirates team can actually become from here.