North Shore Nine

In the latest Starbucs from North Shore Nine podcast, Jim and DiNardo dove deep into the Pirates’ prospects for 2025. With pitchers and catchers reporting soon, optimism for the new season is building—but frustrations linger. The hosts explored whether the Pirates have done enough this offseason to position themselves as contenders in a competitive NL Central. While the rotation looks strong, led by Paul Skenes and promising depth, glaring holes in the outfield and an underwhelming free-agency period raise doubts.

They also highlighted recent projections, noting that while the Pirates’ floor appears solid, the ceiling might not be high enough to surpass division rivals like the Brewers and Cubs. Jim and DiNardo voiced concerns about the lack of urgency from the front office, questioning if this team is truly built for playoff contention. With spring training around the corner, the pressure is on to fill the remaining gaps.