The Pittsburgh Pirates are contemplating leveraging their pitching depth to address weaknesses in their offense and bullpen this offseason. With a strong rotation and a wealth of pitching prospects, the team faces a crucial decision as they head into the Winter Meetings.

Recent trades have bolstered their lineup, but the Pirates must navigate offers carefully to maintain their top pitching prospects. As they prepare for a pivotal 2025 season, the pressure is on to make strategic moves that could enhance their competitiveness in the National League Central.

The MLB General Manager Meetings concluded without significant trades, but discussions hinted at potential offseason moves, particularly involving starting pitchers from the Arizona Diamondbacks and Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Diamondbacks, one year post-World Series, are evaluating their pitching roster, with Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly as key figures. Meanwhile, the Pirates boast a youthful rotation, with players like Mitch Keller and Paul Skenes drawing interest.

Several Major League Baseball players are poised for salary arbitration, with 29 players eligible after two to three years of service time. Notable names include Boston's Jarren Duran and Kutter Crawford, along with Seattle's George Kirby and Tampa Bay's Shane Baz.

The eligibility cutoff has been adjusted to 2 years and 132 days of service, impacting players like Washington's Michael Rucker and Atlanta's Angel Perdomo. The arbitration process will see proposed salaries exchanged on January 9, with hearings scheduled for late January to mid-February.