Pittsburgh Pirates news Thursday, November 5, 2026

No. 1 in the 30-second version

Pirates offer Brandon Lowe a one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offer; he has until November 17 to respond.

If Lowe accepts, he returns to Pittsburgh and can still negotiate a long-term deal; if he rejects, the Pirates receive a compensatory draft pick when he signs elsewhere. Lowe hit 35 home runs in his one season with Pittsburgh, a team record for a second baseman. According to SB Nation, projections vary, from Jim Bowden's three years and $45 million to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel expecting a deal near four years and $80 million.

Source: Bucs Dugout

From Friday

A fan site argues the Pirates should extend Brandon Lowe the $23.15 million qualifying offer.

Bucs Dugout cites Bleacher Report's Tim Kelly, who ranks Lowe among the top free agent bats behind Bo Bichette, Teruaki Sato, Seiya Suzuki and Randy Arozarena. Kelly argues that if Lowe declines the offer, Pittsburgh could re-sign him or receive draft-pick compensation, and that the 32-year-old should take the best long-term deal he can get. The article notes an impending lockout could stall free agency and says owner Bob Nutting's approach is hard to predict.

Source: Bucs Dugout

From Tuesday

Pirates prospects Wyatt Sanford and Bryan Mena are standing out in the Arizona Fall League.

Bucs Dugout says Sanford, a 20-year-old shortstop, is hitting .291/.400/.436 with two homers for Glendale. Mena, 22, has not allowed an earned run in four appearances and has struck out 11 batters in two starts.

Source: Bucs Dugout

No. 2 in the 30-second version

Albert Pujols reportedly will interview for the Houston Astros managerial job this week.

Brad Ausmus, the New York Yankees bench coach and a former Astros catcher, is also a candidate, according to the AP. Houston is replacing Joe Espada, whose contract was not renewed after the Astros went 81-81 to win the AL West and were swept by the Chicago White Sox in the Wild Card Series. Pujols managed the Dominican Republic to third place at the 2026 World Baseball Classic and has not managed in the majors. The Astros recently hired Randy Flores as general manager, and he and Pujols were teammates with the Cardinals.

Sources: NBC Sports · MLB.com · ESPN · Yahoo Sports

No. 3 in the 30-second version

Mariners name Jason Kanzler manager, a former Cubs player development director with no managerial experience.

Kanzler, 36, becomes the 19th full-time manager in Mariners history and the 22nd overall since the club began in 1977, replacing Dan Wilson, who was fired this fall. General manager Justin Hollander said Kanzler's personality and analytics-forward background made him the obvious choice. Kanzler went unrecruited out of high school, became a walk-on outfielder at Buffalo, and taught high school physics and chemistry in Katy, Texas. He joined the Astros as a minor league hitting coach in 2019 and most recently was director of player development with the Cubs.

Sources: NBC Sports · MLB.com · ESPN · CBS Sports

Athletics hire Brewers executive Cam Castro as general manager under new president Taylor Smith.

Castro was the Brewers' senior vice president of player development and performance, and he rose through their pitching development system over seven years. He will work under Taylor Smith, 31, who was hired last month as president of baseball operations. The A's went 64-98 in 2026, and their pitchers allowed a franchise-record 247 home runs, according to USA TODAY. The club plays one more season in West Sacramento before moving to Las Vegas in 2028.

Sources: ESPN · USA TODAY Sports · MLB.com · Yahoo Sports

Mets hire former catcher A.J. Ellis as major-league strategy coordinator, per multiple reports.

SNY's Chelsea Janes confirmed the hire, and the New York Post's Mike Puma reported a source confirmed it. Ellis, 45, spent 11 seasons as a catcher and had been a special assistant in the Padres front office since 2019, and he is expected to contribute to pitch-calling and game-planning. The Mets have also promoted Mariano Duncan and have yet to name a replacement for hitting director Jeff Albert.

Sources: SNY · NY Post Sports · Amazin' Avenue

Reds hire Guardians assistant pitching coach Joe Torres as their new major league pitching coach.

ESPN reports Torres spent the past five seasons as Cleveland's assistant pitching coach. Torres replaces Derek Johnson, who was relieved of duties at season's end after being absent for the final three-plus months of 2026, according to SB Nation and Red Reporter, which are fan sites citing the Reds' announcement. Torres, 44, was a first-round pick of the Angels in 2000 but never reached the majors.

Sources: ESPN · Red Reporter