Locked On Pirates - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Pirates

Gary Morgan reacts to breaking news that the Pirates have hired Astros pitching coach Bill Murphy to replace Oscar Marin. What does this mean for the team’s pitching development and 2026 outlook? Then, Gary breaks down the Pirates’ flawed strategy of acquiring blocked players and answers two AMA questions: should the Pirates invest even more in pitching, and is it time to non-tender Colin Holderman and Jack Suwinski—even if they might thrive elsewhere?

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The 2025 World Series is tied, and we’re asking the ultimate question: Could the best Pirates team of the 21st century take down the Dodgers or Blue Jays? We build the roster, break down the matchups, and give our verdict — with one big takeaway: maybe, just maybe, we’ve had what it takes all along.

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The Washington Nationals have hired Justin Horowitz, the Pirates’ director of amateur scouting, as their new assistant GM. In this episode, we explore why this move hurts more than it should, how Horowitz’s draft philosophy reflects a smarter approach than the Pirates seem willing to embrace, and why the team’s refusal to look outside — or even protect what’s inside — might be its biggest weakness.

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World Series Showdown: Dodgers vs. Blue Jays - Who Will Reign Supreme?

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays face off in an unexpected World Series matchup. Can the Blue Jays' complete team challenge the Dodgers' powerhouse lineup? Key discussions include team strengths, payroll disparities, and the impact of high-spending franchises on MLB. The hosts analyze starting pitching, bullpen strategies, and offer bold predictions for the series outcome. Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. take center stage as potential game-changers.

Tune in for expert insights on this thrilling Wo...

In this episode of Locked On Pirates, host Gary Morgan tells the story of how the NHL saved itself with a salary cap after a brutal ten-month lockoutand what lessons MLB can learn from it. From the 1994 labor battles to the 2005 breakthrough, this is a tale of survival, unity, and the painful path to progress. Could baseball be next?

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Today on Locked On Pirates, Gary Morgan breaks down the 2025 World Series matchup between the Dodgers and Blue Jays, answers listener questions about free agent outfield options, and explains why wRC+ is the most important stat for evaluating hitters.

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Today on Locked On Pirates, Gary Morgan breaks down the salary cap debate in Major League Baseball. With insights from NFL parity, Tony Clark’s opposition, and the reality of small market struggles, this episode explores what real reform could look like — and why Pirates fans should demand it.

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Gary Morgan breaks down the Top 10 Free Agent Signings of the Nutting era in Pittsburgh, showing why big-name signings are unrealistic and why the Pirates continue to rely on internal development. A must-listen for fans who want a dose of reality and a bit of hope.

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Jared Triolo and Tommy Pham earn Gold Glove nominations, but what does it mean for the Pirates’ future? Gary answers fan AMA questions about Andrew McCutchen’s return, Dennis Santana trade rumors, and the Jack Suwinski non-tender debate.

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Derek Shelton is drawing manager interest — does the league think the Pirates made him look bad? Esmerlyn Valdez is crushing the AFL with 4 homers and 10 walks. Should he be in the 2026 plans? Plus, an AMA on whether the Pirates could carry three catchers next season.

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The Pirates claim Will Robertson off waivers and DFA Ryan Kreidler. We explain OPS+ and why it’s better than raw OPS. Then we dive into the ALCS and NLCS, where the Mariners and Dodgers are dominating. Could we be headed for a historic World Series matchup?

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Gary Morgan reflects on the importance of moving forward with realistic optimism about the Pirates' future, using quantum mechanics as a metaphor for the unseen forces shaping player development. He honors the tradition of fans gathering at the Forbes Field wall to celebrate Bill Mazeroski’s legendary walk-off, and breaks down the advanced stat OPS to help fans better understand offensive performance.

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In today’s episode, Gary Morgan lays out the three smartest internal moves the Pirates could make this offseason — starting with a bold extension for Konnor Griffin, initiating talks with Paul Skenes, and striking early in free agency and trades. It’s time to move forward. Let’s talk about building something real.

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Gary Morgan breaks down the flawed hitting philosophy dominating baseball, recaps the latest playoff chaos including the Blue Jays eliminating the Yankees and the Dodgers walking off the Phillies, and reads fan-submitted trade targets from Wednesday’s episode on arbitration estimates.

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Today on Locked On Pirates, Gary Morgan continues the Positional Review series with a look at the Designated Hitter spot. Should the Pirates bring back Andrew McCutchen, sign a dedicated slugger, or keep it flexible? Plus, an AMA on Quinn Priester’s development and a sharp comparison between how the Royals and Pirates communicate payroll realities to their fans.

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Today on Locked On Pirates, Gary Morgan continues the Positional Review series with a look at the outfield depth chart. He breaks down arbitration projections, explains the MLB tender process in simple terms, and goes shopping for trade and free agent targets from other teams. Homework alert: listeners are asked to submit their top 3 trade targets and top 3 non-tender candidates for next episode!

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Today on Locked On Pirates, Gary Morgan continues the Positional Review Series with a look at third base. He questions the decision to retain hitting coach Matt Hague and evaluates his impact on star players. Plus, a spotlight on the eight Pirates prospects heading to the Arizona Fall League, including Esmerlyn Valdez, Tony Blanco Jr., and Will Taylor.

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Today on Locked On Pirates, host Gary Morgan combines Second Base and Shortstop to evaluate the Pirates' internal options for 2026. From Nick Yorke’s limitations to Konnor Griffin’s upside, we break down who fits where, who could surprise, and why shortstop might still need an external upgrade. Plus, in our AMA segment, Gary tackles the question: “Why do we have to hear about exit velocity?” with a fun, insightful look at why it matters—especially for Oneil Cruz.

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The Locked on MLB Squad dissects the thrilling Wild Card round, spotlighting Cam Schlittler's dominant performance and the New York Yankees' unexpected success. They analyze crucial pitching decisions, debating the merits of modern bullpen management versus traditional strategies. They offer predictions for the Divisional Series, focusing on the Philadelphia Phillies-Los Angeles Dodgers and Yankees-Toronto Blue Jays matchups.

The hosts also challenge the "championship or bust" mentality, exploring the value of the entire MLB season beyond October glory. Tune in for expert insights on how analytics and gut instincts shape postseason baseball strategy.

...

Today on Locked On Pirates, host Gary Morgan continues the Positional Review series with a deep dive into First Base. He breaks down the 2025 offensive stats for Rafael Flores, Jared Triolo, Spencer Horwitz, Nick Yorke, Malcom Nuñez, and Enmanuel Valdez. Plus, Andrew McCutchen responds to rumors about his future with a cryptic social media post, and Gary answers a fan AMA about Konnor Griffin’s chances of starting at shortstop in 2026.

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Today we kick off a brand-new series: Positional Review, starting with Catcher. We rank Henry Davis, Joey Bart, Rafael Flores, Endy Rodriguez, and Abrahan Gutierrez defensively and offensively, then build a depth chart for 2026. Plus, we dive into today’s three winner-take-all Wild Card games and discuss what Ben Cherington’s confirmed return means for the Pirates’ offseason strategy.

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The Pirates have let go of Oscar Marin, Mike Rabelo, and Brent Strom as Don Kelly begins shaping his coaching staff. We break down the pitching stats under Marin, question why the offense remains untouched, and answer an AMA: who’s more surprisingly still here—Ben Cherington or Travis Williams?

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The Pirates are running it back with Ben Cherington, Travis Williams, and Don Kelly. Gary shares quotes from the front office and manager, then breaks down the playoff matchups: Tigers vs Guardians, Padres vs Cubs, Red Sox vs Yankees, and Reds vs Dodgers.

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The 2025 Pirates never truly had a chance — and they knew it. In Segment 1, we explore what players are saying about the team’s future and the need for investment. Segment 2 dives into the deeper dysfunction that plagued the season. And in Segment 3, we celebrate the players who stood out with our 2025 Team Awards. Let’s talk about what went wrong, what went right, and what must change.

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GUARDIANS SURGE, TIGERS COLLAPSE: MLB PLAYOFF RACE HEATS UP

Cleveland Guardians stun Detroit Tigers with late-season comeback. Can they clinch a playoff spot in the final weekend? Jeff Carr and Justin Lada break down the Guardians' impressive turnaround, highlighting key players and strategic moves. The discussion covers the Tigers' epic collapse, vulnerable teams heading into October, and the Los Angeles Dodgers' bullpen concerns. Sully introduces his "Summer Score" metric, offering unique insights into team performance. Don't miss the heated debate on MLB's playoff format and its impact on fan engagement. Tune in for expert analysis o...

AMA Special! Gary answers your toughest questions about the Pirates — from payroll philosophy and coaching changes to Ben Cherington’s future and the state of the NL Central. No topic is off-limits in this brutally honest, fan-driven episode.

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Gary Morgan recaps the Pirates’ thrilling 4–3 extra-inning win over the Reds on September 24, 2025, and its impact on Cincinnati’s playoff hopes. He also explores the philosophy of player development, focusing on Nick Gonzales and Jared Triolo as they enter a pivotal fourth year. Plus, a fan AMA on the future of baseball if the sport shuts down in 2027.

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Gary Morgan recaps the Pirates’ 4-2 win over the Reds, including Hunter Barco’s MLB debut, Oneil Cruz’s 20th homer, and Rafael Flores behind the plate. He also answers AMA questions about the ABS challenge system and how it could impact Pirates pitchers and hitters, and discusses what kind of hitting philosophy the team should adopt if a new GM is hired.

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The Pirates face the Reds in a series that could decide the final NL Wild Card spot. We break down the pitching matchups, playoff implications, and dive into a two-part AMA covering trade prospects, Ben Cherington’s future, Henry Davis’s development, and more.

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The Pirates shut out the A’s for the final 22 innings of their weekend series and capped it off with an 11-0 blowout win. In Segment 1, we break down the pitching dominance, offensive highlights, and home vs. away splits. Then, we shift to Ben Cherington’s press availability, where the GM addressed his uncertain future, the team’s offensive struggles, and what needs to change heading into 2026. It’s a loaded episode — let’s go.

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MLB Playoff Race Heats Up: Who's In, Who's Out?

The National League wild card battle intensifies as teams scramble for postseason spots. Are the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers locks? The Locked On MLB Squad breaks down the Chicago Cubs' chances and the New York Mets' surprising struggles. In the American League, the Cleveland Guardians surge with a 17-5 run. Can they overtake the vulnerable Boston Red Sox?

Clayton Kershaw's potential retirement sparks debate on his legacy and the Dodgers' World Series odds. The panel explores how modern pitching strategies are reshaping the game...

The Oakland A’s come to town, and somehow they look ahead of the Pirates — despite having every excuse to be worse. Gary Morgan breaks down the final 9 games of the season, the excuses already forming, and why this year feels like a merciful end more than a sad goodbye.

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The Altoona Curve are one win away from advancing in the Southwest Division playoffs after a dominant Game 1 win over Erie. Gary breaks down the standout performances, previews Game 2, and dives into why AA success hasn’t translated to MLB impact for the Pirates — and why that needs to change.

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Is Don Kelly actually a good manager, or just better than Derek Shelton? We break down his record, the Pirates’ reliance on Paul Skenes, and how this six-year stretch compares to the worst in MLB history.

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Gary Morgan breaks down the Pirates’ current infield usage and projects who’s earned a job for 2026. He answers a listener question about mental health support in pro sports and previews early 40-man roster decisions, including Hunter Barco and Brandon Bidois.

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Gary Morgan goes off on Oneil Cruz’s disappointing season and questions whether he can be part of the Pirates’ future core. He also honors Roberto Clemente on his day and asks fans to share their stories for a future tribute episode. Finally, he breaks down Ji-Hwan Bae’s confusing recall and what it says about the team’s direction.

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What if the Pittsburgh Pirates don't fire Ben Cherington?
Gary Morgan explores the implications of keeping the current GM in place—from the front office vision to the 2026 roster. Is continuity the key, or a recipe for more of the same?

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Paul Skenes reaches 200 strikeouts, but the Pirates clinch another losing season. Gary Morgan breaks down Skenes’s performance, the Orioles series, and the Pirates’ five-year offensive decline. Plus, what Henry Davis’s struggles say about the team’s development system.

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Two Pirates affiliates—Altoona and Greensboro—are in the playoffs, facing off against teams loaded with Top 100 prospects. We break down the matchups, highlight standout players, and discuss the value of winning in the minors. Plus, Braxton Ashcraft’s case for a 2026 rotation spot and a look at the upcoming Roberto Clemente documentary airing on The History Channel.

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AMA Time! Gary answers your questions about Paul Skenes’ Cy Young chances, MLB expansion cities, the Pirates’ offseason plans, Brandan Bidois’ insane streak, and whether the team should go all-in on Eugenio Suárez. Plus: Oviedo vs. Keller trade value, the middle infield debate, and how to bridge a 180-inning gap in the 2026 rotation.

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