MLB · NL Central
Pittsburgh Pirates news Wednesday, November 11, 2026
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The 30-second version
The 5-minute version
202682–80
3rd NL Central · Missed playoffs
Fri, Feb 19 vs Blue Jays
Pirates land at No. 15 in MLB.com's power rankings after their first winning season since 2018.
Will Leitch wrote that the offense exceeded most expectations and that Paul Skenes should be better in 2027, according to Bucs Dugout. Seven National League teams ranked ahead of Pittsburgh: Arizona, Philadelphia, San Diego, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta, Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee.
Source: Bucs Dugout
From Thursday
Pirates could pursue free-agent first baseman Ty France, who had a breakout year with San Diego in 2026.
Bucs Dugout, a fan blog, cites Bleacher Report contributor Tim Kelly, who wrote that Pittsburgh has more than $20 million coming off the books from Brandon Lowe and Marcell Ozuna. France, 32, hit .295 with 21 home runs and 72 RBIs in 133 games for the Padres, a career-high 4.5 WAR. The post notes the Pirates went 82-80 this past season, their first winning season since 2018.
Source: Bucs Dugout
From Monday
Bleacher Report lists Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe among potential free-agent busts.
Lowe, 32, is a free agent this offseason after a career-best 5.3 WAR season in Pittsburgh, where he hit .260 with 35 home runs and 96 RBI in 150 appearances, according to Bucs Dugout. The Bleacher Report piece by Zachary D. Rymer points to a 28.8 strikeout rate and a 33.6 chase rate, and the fan site says the Pirates would like to re-sign Lowe at a reasonable price.
Source: Bucs Dugout
Around the MLB
No. 1 in the 30-second version
Venable the 6th White Sox skipper to win Manager of the Year.
Pat Murphy, the sometimes-cranky-sometimes-kindly grandfather figure at the helm of the Milwaukee Brewers, has won his third straight Manager of the Year award in his third season with the team. He is the first person ever to win three times in a row. The Brewers have been smashing preseason expectations for several years.
Sources: MLB.com · ESPN · NBC Sports · USA TODAY Sports
No. 2 in the 30-second version
Mets are set to meet with free agent ace Tarik Skubal next week in California, according to ESPN.
USA TODAY Sports reports Skubal is expected to break the record for the biggest contract ever given to a pitcher, currently Yoshinobu Yamamoto's $325 million deal with the Dodgers. Skubal had a 2.61 ERA in 10 starts for Los Angeles after the Tigers traded him at the deadline. He is widely expected to sign before the likely lockout beginning December 1.
Sources: ESPN · MLB.com · USA TODAY Sports · CBS Sports
No. 3 in the 30-second version
Tigers agree to a one-year deal with reliever Emilio Pagán, according to ESPN.
Jon Heyman reported the deal at $11.5 million, while MLB.com said $11 million, so the value is not settled. Pagán, 35, declined a $10 million player option with Cincinnati to sign in Detroit, according to an SB Nation analysis. That analysis flagged Pagán's home run rate as a concern for the Tigers.
Sources: ESPN · MLB.com · Bless You Boys
Sal Stewart wins NL Rookie of the Year and Kevin McGonigle wins AL Rookie of the Year.
Stewart, a Reds first baseman, took 20 of 30 first-place votes after hitting 32 homers with 112 RBIs, with Carson Benge of the Mets second and J.J. Wetherholt of the Cardinals third, according to Red Reporter and Brew Crew Ball. McGonigle, a Tigers infielder, received 28 of 30 first-place votes and became Detroit's first winner since Michael Fulmer in 2016, after hitting 18 homers with 72 RBIs, per NBC Sports Philadelphia. Bless You Boys reports the award earns the Tigers an extra pick in the 2027 draft.
Sources: NBC Sports Philadelphia · Brew Crew Ball · Red Reporter · Amazin' Avenue
Dodgers hire Pedro Guerrero as hitting coach, filling the vacancy left by Aaron Bates.
Guerrero, 37, spent the last two seasons as the Marlins' hitting coach after the Marlins decided not to retain him, according to the NY Post and LA Times. He will work as co-hitting coach alongside longtime hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc. Bates and the Dodgers reached an impasse in contract negotiations and parted ways last week.
Sources: LA Times · NY Post Sports · True Blue LA
How this is made: Summaries are written with AI from the linked reporting. For the full account, read the sources.