Paul Skenes choosing up All-MLB buzz once more isn’t information. It’s simply the Tuesday forecast at this level.
The person struck out 200 batters and nonetheless completed Sept. 11. That tells you every part about who was pitching behind him, not about him.
The true offseason query for Ben Cherington is standing a number of lockers down, and it’s Nick Gonzales.
Gonzales hit .302 in 2026 — the most effective mark on the roster — and the group nonetheless hasn’t settled the place he performs long-term. A .302 hitter with no locked-in place isn’t an issue you determine in spring coaching. It’s the form of free finish that turns an 82-80 season, Pittsburgh’s first successful document since 2018, into an eleventh straight 12 months watching the playoffs from the skin.
Brandon Lowe makes it messier. He led the crew with 35 residence runs, 96 RBI and an .824 OPS. Jared Jones advised reporters this week he needs Lowe again: he thinks this roster can win 90-95 video games subsequent season. Cherington doesn’t get to make that decision in a vacuum, both. Eric Hagman requested the query the fanbase is already chewing on:
So if #pirates really provided Kyle Schwarber, who’s 33, a 4-year, $125m contract, why wouldn’t they do likewise for Brandon Lowe, who received’t flip 33 till subsequent July?
— Eric Hagman (@esh714) September 29, 2026
If the Pirates are keen to supply Kyle Schwarber 4 years and $125 million at 33, what’s the case for not doing the identical for Lowe, who doesn’t flip 33 till subsequent July?
No person’s answered that one but. Right here’s the remainder of the image Cherington is observing this winter:
The offensive leaders for the 2026 Pirates:
AVG: Nick Gonzales, .302
OPS: Brandon Lowe, .824
HR: Brandon Lowe, 35
RBI: Brandon Lowe, 96
BB: Bryan Reynolds, 89
SB: Oneil Cruz, 30I’d say Brandon Lowe returning is fairly vital. pic.twitter.com/1cF5fU0sDP
— SleeperPirates (@SleeperPirates) September 28, 2026
Gonzales tops the common column. Lowe owns practically each different column that issues. Fixing this takes 4 or 5 issues breaking proper without delay, not one clear repair in free company.
Skenes goes to be nice once more subsequent 12 months. No person’s dropping sleep over that.
Gonzales’ place, Lowe’s price ticket, and no matter Cherington decides about each of them — that’s the precise offseason. Skenes was NEVER the onerous half.