North Shore Nine

The First Base Market Heats Up: Were the Pirates Right With Horwitz?

In the latest episode of Starbucs on North Shore Nine, Anthony DiNardo and Ryan Alexander dove into the Pirates’ off-season strategy and whether the team is making the right moves. They discussed the re-signing of Andrew McCutchen, who is returning on a one-year, $5 million deal. While fans are thrilled to see McCutchen back, there’s lingering frustration about the team’s lack of urgency in building a playoff-caliber roster.

The discussion shifted to the Pirates’ recent acquisition of Spencer Horwitz, sparking debate about prioritizing control over proven impact. With the first base market heating up—featuring big moves like Nathaniel Lowe and Josh Naylor trades—the Pirates’ choice of Horwitz raises questions about their commitment to contending now.

Ultimately, DiNardo and Ryan called on the Pirates to capitalize on their current window of opportunity, urging the front office to add more impact players and make a serious playoff push.