Locked On Pirates - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Pirates

Braxton Ashcraft faces a pivotal season—can he finally secure his spot in the Pittsburgh Pirates rotation, or is a bullpen future inevitable? Gary Morgan unpacks Ashcraft’s battle with repeated injuries, career resurgence post-Tommy John surgery, and the high stakes for 2026 as the Pirates eye rotation stability. With prospects like Bubba Chandler and Hunter Barco waiting in the wings, the competition heats up: who will emerge as Pittsburgh’s breakout star on the mound?

Gary Morgan also tackles burning listener questions on roster moves, the impact of acquiring Joe Nixon Garcia, and the domino effect on outfield depth, including Brian Reynolds. The episode features insight on potential trade chips like Nick Gonzales and Jared Triolo, weighs the value of signing Wilmer Flores, and breaks down the Nolan Arenado trade’s implications for the Cardinals. As spring training nears, the call is clear: for the Pirates, it’s time to prove it on the field.

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Tarik Skubal’s $32 million arbitration ask rocks the MLB landscape—could this bold move reset the standard for elite young pitchers like Paul Skenes? Gary Morgan breaks down how Skubal and agent Scott Boras are pushing the boundaries of salary comps, why Detroit’s counter offer signals a high-stakes standoff, and what this could mean for the future of team control and arbitration across baseball. How will the arbitration process evolve if these salary spikes become more common, and are the small-market Pittsburgh Pirates prepared to keep their homegrown stars?

Gary Morgan also explores Ben Cherrington’s checklist for the Pirates’ offseason, weighing key trade targets like Alec Bohm and Eugenio Suarez, and considers how Alex Bregman’s $175 million deal with the Chicago Cubs raises the bar in the NL Central. With all eyes on the left side of the infield and Pittsburgh’s rotation depth, the race for division supremacy just got a lot more intense.

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Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Every Friday night, before the games tip off, FanDuel gives fans a new way to kick off the weekend with NBA Happy Hour. Check the FanDuel app and see what’s dropping during NBA Happy Hour — every Friday from 6 to 7:30 PM Eastern. FanDuel — the Official Sportsbook Partner of the NBA.

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Join Gary Morgan on Locked On Pirates as we break down why the 2026 Pirates roster deserves more credit, the hype around Konnor Griffin, Paul Skenes’ Cy Young chances, trade ideas, and pitching philosophy changes under Bill Murphy. Plus, fun hypotheticals and fan Q&A!

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Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Every Friday night, before the games tip off, FanDuel gives fans a new way to kick off the weekend with NBA Happy Hour. Check the FanDuel app and see what’s dropping during NBA Happy Hour — every Friday from 6 to 7:30 PM Eastern.FanDuel — the Official Sportsbook Partner of the NBA.

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Pittsburgh Pirates face a critical arbitration deadline—could Oneil Cruz benefit from tough love in the boardroom? Gary Morgan explores whether arbitration’s cold hard facts might spark a turning point for the electrifying but inconsistent shortstop. The episode tackles arbitration strategy, roster decisions around Joey Bart, Dennis Santana, and Justin Lawrence, and what each player’s future could mean for the team’s trajectory.

NL Central over/under projections take center stage as Morgan sizes up the Brewers’ chances of repeating 97 wins, the Cubs’ rebuilt rotation featuring Edward Cabrera, and whether the Reds’ youthful core can finally grow together. The breakdown covers key moves, wild cards, and breakout candidates. Final segment: Automated Balls and Strikes (ABS) might actually make baseball more watchable—will robot umps add drama or trigger a race for perfection? Don’t miss this incisive look at the Pirates’ offseason strategy and the changing MLB landscape.

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Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Every Friday night, before the games tip off, FanDuel gives fans a new way to kick off the weekend with NBA Happy Hour. Check the FanDuel app and see what’s dropping during NBA Happy Hour — every Friday from 6 to 7:30 PM Eastern.FanDuel — the Official Sportsbook Partner of the NBA.

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Pittsburgh Pirates face a critical decision: can they really gamble on youth in the rotation, or is an innings-eating veteran starter a must-have to stabilize the pitching staff? Gary Morgan breaks down why nearly 500 innings walked out the door this offseason, making another dependable arm non-negotiable. Projected leaps from Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, and Bubba Chandler are promising, but unchecked optimism won’t plug the innings gap or provide the lefty balance needed for a grueling MLB season.

From Jose Quintana and Tyler Anderson as mid-rotation reinforcements to dream scenarios like Framber Valdez or Ranger Suarez, explore which free agent moves fit best with Pittsburgh’s current needs. Key topics include managing young pitcher workloads, Don Kelly’s pitching blueprint, and how strategic acquisitions could transform the Pirates’ week-to-week plan. Will the front office make a bold move or risk bullpen burnout? The answer could define the 2024 season in the NL Central.

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Pittsburgh Pirates weigh bold offseason moves as major free agents like Cody Bellinger, and Alex Bregman linger on the market. Can the Pirates defy expectations and compete for top talent, or will rivals like the Yankees swoop in first? Gary Morgan spotlights the team's approach to resource battles, discusses the shifting fit of new lefty bats Ryan O’Hearn and Brandon Lowe, and scrutinizes rumors surrounding Bellinger and Bichette.

AMA questions spark lively debate on Jose Quintana negotiations, the potential return of IKF as insurance at third base, and the crucial balance between power and contact hitting. Gary Morgan analyzes the Pirates’ pitching depth, explores trade philosophies, and compares Japanese league talent with Triple-A prospects. With dynamic duos and playoff dreams on the horizon, this episode delivers fresh perspective on Pittsburgh’s pursuit of postseason relevance.

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Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Every Friday night, before the games tip off, FanDuel gives fans a new way to kick off the weekend with NBA Happy Hour. Check the FanDuel app and see what’s dropping during NBA Happy Hour — every Friday from 6 to 7:30 PM Eastern.FanDuel — the Official Sportsbook Partner of the NBA.

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Pittsburgh Pirates pivot after missing out on Kazuma Okamoto—does their offseason plan still have a pulse? Gary Morgan explores why the failed Okamoto pursuit isn’t a death knell for the Bucs, breaking down how key additions like Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn shift the urgency and options at third base. With fans clamoring for a big splash, the focus turns to realistic trade and free agent targets, including potential fits like Eugenio Suarez, Alec Bohm, and Yan Moncada.

Are the Pirates ready to settle for Jared Triolo, or is another bold move on the horizon? Gary Morgan dissects possible upgrades, the strengths and drawbacks of current internal options, and creative trade scenarios involving names like Nolan Arenado and Blue Jays prospects. With the NL Central wide open, the question remains: can the Pirates assemble a lineup that contends, or is it time for fans to reset expectations?

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Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Every Friday night, before the games tip off, FanDuel gives fans a new way to kick off the weekend with NBA Happy Hour. Check the FanDuel app and see what’s dropping during NBA Happy Hour — every Friday from 6 to 7:30 PM Eastern.FanDuel — the Official Sportsbook Partner of the NBA.

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Pittsburgh Pirates face a pivotal season as Henry Davis, Oneil Cruz, and Byan Reynolds confront make-or-break years. Can Henry Davis transform his elite defense into offensive consistency after a tough rookie campaign, or will Rafael Flores challenge his spot? Oneil Cruz’s maturity and defensive growth spark hope, but is he ready to shed past struggles and cement his role? Bryan Reynolds, the club’s top bat, eyes a rebound after injury woes and frustrating at-bats last year.

Gary Morgan examines the high stakes for these core players, assesses the impact of lineup protection, and weighs future trade and contract scenarios if improvements stall. Key topics include the Pirates’ evolving strategy, player development risks, and MLB’s negotiation dynamics since the Curt Flood era. Is this trio the key to Pittsburgh’s postseason dreams, or could failure trigger sweeping roster changes?

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FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Every Friday night, before the games tip off, FanDuel gives fans a new way to kick off the weekend with NBA Happy Hour. Check the FanDuel app and see what’s dropping during NBA Happy Hour — every Friday from 6 to 7:30 PM Eastern.FanDuel — the Official Sportsbook Partner of the NBA.

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Andrew McCutchen’s Pittsburgh future hangs in the balance as Gary Morgan breaks down the latest updates on “Cutch Watch.” Are the Pittsburgh Pirates ready to bring their iconic leader back, or is a dramatic offseason twist looming? Unpack insider perspectives on McCutchen’s potential role, contract expectations, and the impact of new signings like Ryan O’Hearn on the Pirates’ lineup—even as the front office weighs its next big moves.

The episode tackles key questions on Pirates’ pitching depth after moving Johan Oviedo and Mike Burrows, explores trade possibilities involving top prospects, and analyzes rumors around Ketel Marte. Gary Morgan also discusses lineup protection for Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds, organizational strategies, spending narratives, and why coaches remain elusive in media. Rapid-fire insights offer fans a sharp look at what’s next for the Pirates as they build for 2024—can this be the year everything finally clicks in the Steel City?

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FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Every Friday night, before the games tip off, FanDuel gives fans a new way to kick off the weekend with NBA Happy Hour. Check the FanDuel app and see what’s dropping during NBA Happy Hour — every Friday from 6 to 7:30 PM Eastern.FanDuel — the Official Sportsbook Partner of the NBA.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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What’s it really like to coach phenoms like Termarr Johnson, and Konnor Griffin—baseball’s top prospect—on their rapid rise through the Pittsburgh Pirates system? Scott Seabol, Altoona Curve hitting coach and former MLB infielder, shares behind-the-scenes insights on coaching breakout bats, building elite hitting philosophies, and shaping future stars’ approaches to the game.

Gary Morgan and Scott Seabol break down Johnson’s advanced plate discipline, Esmerlyn Valdez’s eye-popping power, and the next-level athleticism of Griffin. Key topics include how MLB hitting philosophies trickle down through the Pirates’ minor league system, whether chase or whiff rates are “fixable,” and why “taking care of the heater” is essential for every prospect. Hear stories from inside the Altoona clubhouse, learn how new technology is reshaping player development, and get early scouting intel on under-the-radar names like Duce Gourson and Edward Florentino. Is the next Pirates hitting wave closer than you think?

Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans.

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FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Every Friday night, before the games tip off, FanDuel gives fans a new way to kick off the weekend with NBA Happy Hour. Check the FanDuel app and see what’s dropping during NBA Happy Hour — every Friday from 6 to 7:30 PM Eastern.FanDuel — the Official Sportsbook Partner of the NBA.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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