There are still several unknowns with the Pittsburgh Pirates heading into the second half of the 2026 season.
The second half of the 2026 MLB season is here, and for the first time in years, the Pittsburgh Pirates are firmly in the race to get back to the postseason.
Even though there's a lot to be excited about with these Pirates, there are still a lot of unknowns, too. Here are three questions the Pirates must answer coming out of the All-Star Break.
What is the Pirates Plan At Shortstop After Konnor Griffin Injury?
Konnor Griffin showed a ton of potential both at the plate and in the field during his rookie season. Now, there's a chance he won't get back on the field in 2026 after suffering a finger injury.
The Pirates need to determine what there best plan is at shortstop moving forward.
Jared Triolo and Nick Gonzales are former roster members who can handle the position defensively. The Pirates also traded for Jacob Gonzalez, who has plenty of experience playing the position in the Minors, but not so much at the big leagues
Right now, it seems like the Pirates plan to go with a combination of all three, with Gonzalez seeing most of the playing time at shortstop.
Still, would Pittsburgh consider moving Oneil Cruz back to the infield after coming off the injured list with its crowded outfield?
Aug 7, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz (left) and shortstop Jared Triolo (19) and second baseman Nick Gonzales (39) celebrate after defeating the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesWill the Pirates Be Buyers At The Trade Deadline?
As of Sunday morning, the Pirates are 51-48 and are 1.0 game out of the final Wild Card spot. Unlike the last few years, the Pirates have a decision to make at the deadline: will they be buyers?
At this point, it would be shocking if the Pirates were sellers ahead of August 3, but it's still unclear whether or not Pittsburgh will add, too.
The lineup is in a good spot, and the starting pitching has a very high ceiling, despite recent inconsistencies, but the bullpen needs a lot of work.
Pittsburgh has shown a willingness to be more aggressive with trades and free agency over the last few months, but where will they draw the line?
Will Anymore Prospects Help the Pirates This Season?
Konnor Griffin and Esmerlyn Valdez have been key pieces of the Pirates' success this season, and they might not be the only prospects to help Pittsburgh down the stretch.
LHP Hunter Barco, OF Jhostynxon Garcia, INF Termarr Johnson, and LHP Thomas Harrington are just some prospects who have an estimated arrival time of 2026.
Will any of these players help the Pirates this season, or could they be packaged in a trade?
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