The Pirates 40-Man roster is currently full. They still have at least two prospects, IMO 3 prospects, yet to be protected from the Rule 5 Draft. They also have 3 players coming off the 60-Day IL after the season concludes.
The Pirates should protect Hunter Barco and Brandan Bidois from the Rule 5 draft. I also think they should protect Antwone Kelly RHP AA Starter from the Rule Five Draft because he regularly hits triple digits with his 4-Seam, and had performed well with a low 3 ERA in both High A and AA this year. That would put the Pirates 40-man roster to 43.
The Bucs also have 3 players coming off of the 60-Day IL when the Offseason begins. Those players are Jared Jones, Endy Rodríguez, and Enmanuel Valdez. That bring the 40-Man Roster total to 46.
The Bucs have two impending free agents. Those are Andrew McCutchen and Tommy Pham. I would take the 40-Man roster down to 44, but it is likely Andrew McCutchen will return, so I will only assume Tommy Pham will not return which will reduce the 40-Man count by only 1 which leaves the total roster count to 45.
The Bucs still need roster space to sign new free agents. The Bucs only have 1 LHP on the entire 40-Man roster. That is Evan Sisk. Hunter Barco is also a LHP, but the Bucs likely see him as either a starter or long relief, so really the Bucs only have one LHP reliever on the roster. The Bucs will likely have to make space for another one or two LHP this offseason. The Bucs had Caleb Ferguson, Joey Wentz, Tim Mayza, Ryan Borucki, Andrew Heaney, and Bailey Falter all LHP on the opening day roster this year. I am going to assume the Bucs will add 2 LHP this offseason, although it is likely they will add at least one more. That brings the count to 47.
Ben Cherington also mentioned needing to add infield help this offseason. I will just assume one addition here with Triolo once again seemingly to deserve a shot for the opening day roster next year, Nick Gonzales a near lock to make the opening day roster, and Spencer Horwitz. Besides, these three the Bucs don't have anyone to put any faith in to take regular at bats and play the infield. That means the Bucs should be looking for a regular 3B or SS this offseason. That bumps the 40-man count to 48.
The Bucs have Joey Bart, Henry Davis, Rafael Flores, and Endy Rodríguez on the 40-man, so they will likely roll the dice once again on unproven depth to see if lightning will strike from this group.
The Bucs will continue to give Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds their regular playing time in the OF. With Tommy Pham gone, the Bucs don't have any proven players to play one of the corner outfield positions. I have to think the Bucs will add another outfield this offseason too brining the 40-Man roster count to 49.
I still think the Bucs will add at least a third LHP and maybe another starter this offseason, but it seems the minimum number of players the Pirates would like to have on the 40-man roster is 49. Maybe they don't add another outfielder or they don't protect Antwone Kelly from the Rule 5 Draft. That still bring the 40-man count to 47. A lot of cuts/DFAs will need to happen regardless.
In another article we will assume 49 roster spots, and we will discuss who the Bucs might cut in order to get 49 down to 40.