Prospects will move out of Pittsburgh this winter as Ben Cherington hunts for major-league upgrades after missing the 2026 postseason target, Pittsburgh Baseball Now reported.
The Pirates failed to make the playoffs in 2026, extending Major League Baseball’s second-longest active postseason drought. General manager Ben Cherington must reshape the roster to end a playoff absence that dates back to 2015.
Pittsburgh established a solid major-league foundation over the last two years.
Seth Hernandez Remains Untouchable
Only twenty-year-old Seth Hernandez is considered completely untouchable by the front office.
Third baseman Murf Gray and outfielder Edward Florentino share near-untouchable status alongside Hernandez. Gray put together a sensational first professional season, while Florentino ranks among the top talents in the league.
Outside of this core trio, nearly every other prospect in the system is available in the right deal.
Curiel and Sanford Hold Middle Trade Value
First-round pick Derek Curiel and second-round selection Wyatt Sanford occupy a middle tier of trade value. Curiel did not play a professional game after being selected fifth overall out of LSU in 2024, but his draft position signals high organizational regard. Sanford saw his status climb following a strong second-round selection in 2024, Pittsburgh Baseball Now reported.
The Pirates can also deal from an organizational surplus behind the plate. Catchers Easton Carmichael, Axiel Plaz, and Edgleen Perez all rank inside the top ten prospects for the franchise.
Carmichael reached Double-A this past season. Plaz played in High-A, and Perez spent the year with Low-A Bradenton.
Upper-Level Assets Available
Several upper-level players are ready to help a major-league roster or serve as trade chips. Outfielder Lonnie White Jr. returned to the prospect radar following a healthy and productive 2026 campaign.
Infielder Duce Gourson and right-handed pitchers Antwone Kelly and Khristian Curtis round out the upper-level trade candidates. The Pirates would probably be reluctant to trade away pitching depth in Kelly or Curtis, but they should consider moving either in the right deal.
A separate group of lower-level talents, including left-hander Reinold Navarro and infielders Johan and Yordany De Los Santos, comes with varying degrees of intrigue and upside.
Rule 5 Roster Crunch Looming
The Pirates have a plethora of prospects who are at least worth considering adding to the 40-man roster ahead of next week’s Rule 5 Draft protection deadline.
Plaz, Jhonny Severino, Yordany De Los Santos, White Jr., Mitch Jebb, and Derek Diamond are among the prospects worth considering for the 40-man roster.
Winter Trade Outlook Questions
Which prospects are completely safe from trades?
The only prospect that is probably 100% untouchable is Seth Hernandez as arguably the top pitching prospect in baseball. Third baseman Murf Gray and outfielder Edward Florentino are also probably close to being untouchable.