Erik Kratz, A.J. Perzynski, and Scott Braun from Foul Territory interviewed Pirates Beat Reporter Noah Hiles last week to preview the 2025 Pirates season.
Here is a link to the discussion on YouTube Pittsburgh Pirates: 2025 Preview & Storylines . If you have not listened to it yet, I highly recommend it.
They first discussed Paul Skenes and his projected workload. They believe he will have around a 200 inning workload and pitch in a 5 day rotation with 4 days rest. Last year the Bucs implemented more of a 6-day rotation.
Bubba Chandler was also a topic of discussion. Hiles believes Chandler will earn a spot in the rotation after a time between Jared Jones and Paul Skenes debut timeline last year. Hiles doesn't think Chandler will make the opening day rotation, but should be called before the time Skenes was called up last year.
Hiles mentions the Bucs are going to rely on internal improvements. Suwinski needs to hit like he did late 2023. Horwitz adds on base, but the team lacks slugging. Henry Davis and Hayes will need a rebound for this team to successful. David Bednar was also discussed.
A question came up that we all are asking, "When are the Bucs going to spend some money!". It's been almost 10 years since the Pirates signed a multiyear free agent. Right now the payroll is slated to be lower than last year's payroll. A team lead by Paul Skenes needs to do more.
An encouraging statement from the discussion was from Scott Braun. He said he knows for a fact that players do want to play in Pittsburgh. Generally players like PNC Park and the location. There are some teams where players will require more money to go there, and Pittsburgh is not one of those. It really seems that the Pirates just don't want to offer multiple years to free agents. That is why they cannot sign free agents.