The Pittsburgh Pirates had an unusual offseason this past winter: they made a ton of moves that improved their major league roster. They signed first baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn, designated hitter Marcell Ozuna, and relief pitcher Gregory Soto, and many of their acquisitions were made via trade. The likes of Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum, Mason Montgomery, and Jhostynxon Garcia all came via swaps with other teams. It may still be early into the 2026 season, but let’s check in to see how some of the notable players the Pirates traded during the offseason are faring with their new teams.
How the Ex-Pirates Traded This Offseason Are Doing So Far in 2026
Mike Burrows
Mike Burrows was once one of the Pirates’ top pitching prospects. The 11th-round pick from 2018 entered 2023 as the Bucs’ No. 9 prospect according to Baseball America. He was also added to the 40-man roster during the 2022-2023 offseason, as he was Rule 5 eligible. That put Burrows on track to make his MLB debut that year. However, Tommy John surgery would delay his first big league appearance.
Burrows made his debut during the final series of the 2024 season before becoming a key member of the Bucs’ rotation in 2025. He pitched 96 innings over 23 appearances, 19 of which were starts. In that time, Burrows pitched to a 3.94 ERA, 4.00 FIP, and 1.240 WHIP. The right-hander struck out just under a quarter of opponents with a 24.1% K%, and had a solid 7.7% BB%. Burrows was excellent down the stretch. After the All-Star break, he put up a 3.27 ERA, a 25.1% K%, and 6.4% BB% over his final dozen appearances.
Mike Burrows, 96mph ⛽️
7th K pic.twitter.com/xLRc6v43Rg
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 19, 2026
This offseason, Burrows headed to the Houston Astros in the three-team blockbuster trade that acquired the Pirates the second baseman Lowe, outfielder Mangum, and reliever Montgomery from the Tampa Bay Rays. Burrows slotted directly into the Astros’ rotation, but has struggled thus far. He has allowed 20 earned runs in just 26.2 innings. The 2025 rookie standout has allowed five home runs already. While he still has a solid 7.4% BB%, his K% is currently just 20.5%.
Johan Oviedo
The Pirates acquired Johan Oviedo at the 2022 trade deadline. He looked like a key piece of their long-term rotation plans after a solid 2023 season where he put up a 4.31 ERA, struck out 20.2% of opponents, had a 10.2% BB%, and a solid 0.96 HR/9 ratio over 177 2/3 innings of work. Unfortunately, Oviedo underwent Tommy John surgery in December 2023, causing him to miss all of 2024. Then, a lat strain early in 2025 delayed his rehab until late June.
Oviedo eventually made it back to the mound in early August. He pitched well over 40 1/3 innings of work, tallying a 3.57 ERA and a 24.7% strikeout rate. He did have an unimpressive 13.5% walk rate and 1.35 HR/9 ratio. However, Oviedo excelled at limiting hard contact in the small sample size of work. He held opponents to just an 87.6 MPH exit velocity and 6.9% barrel rate. Both were an improvement over his 88.5 MPH exit velo and 7.6% barrel percentage from 2023.
Oviedo was then sent to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for top outfield prospect Jhostynxon García and pitching prospect Jesus Travieso. While Oviedo entered the season expected to play a role in the Red Sox’s rotation, injuries have struck yet again. After just one game, Oviedo suffered a flexor strain. He was eventually moved to the 60-day injured list and will not return until well after the 60 days are up.
Kyle Nicolas
Kyle Nicolas was sent from the Miami Marlins to the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 2021-2022 offseason as part of a package deal for catcher Jacob Stallings. Nicolas made his MLB debut in 2023 and pitched in parts of the next three seasons. From his debut through 2025, Nicolas flashed impressive stuff, with a 105 FanGraphs Stuff+. His four-seamer averaged 97.3 MPH, which was the 33rd highest mark of any pitcher who threw at least 500 fastballs over this three-year stretch. Unfortunately, poor command regularly impeded his ability to succeed. Nicolas walked 12.2% of opponents and had a 4.68 ERA.
Nicolas was traded to the Cincinnati Reds during the first week of March for utility prospect Tyler Callihan. The right-hander has pitched 5 1/3 innings for his new team, but it has been more of the same for Nicolas. He has five K’s and is averaging out around 96-97 MPH, but has also walked five batters. The flamethrower has also allowed a home run and three earned runs thus far.
What an inning from Kyle Nicolas 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/4RBqmuMCK3
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 18, 2026
Tyler Samaniego
Tyler Samaniego was originally a 15th-round draft pick by the Pirates in 2021. The Pirates selected the left-handed relief prospect’s contract last offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. Last year, he pitched 38.1 innings between four levels of the minor leagues, ranging from the Florida Complex League through Double-A Altoona. Overall, he had a 3.99 ERA, but a healthy 27.8% strikeout rate, and 7% walk rate. Samaniego also had a strong 48.4% ground ball percentage.
It’s going to be interesting to see how the Red Sox help Tyler Samaniego develop.
In 30 games for four of the Pirates’ minor league affiliates during the 2025 campaign, Samaniego posted a 3.99 ERA and struck out 44 batters.
— ERMSPACESHIP (@ERMSPACESHRw57) January 26, 2026
Samaniego was also included in the deal that netted the Pirates García and Travieso. After starting 2026 at Triple-A, the Red Sox promoted the southpaw to the major leagues. So far, he has tossed 3 2/3 scoreless and hitless frames. Samaniego has handed out a trio of free passes but has also struck out four opponents.
Adonys Guzman
The Pirates selected catching prospect Adonys Guzman in the fifth round of last year’s draft. Coming out of the University of Arizona, Guzman slashed .297/.411/.496 with nine home runs over 271 plate appearances. He rarely went down on strikes, with just an 11.8% K%, while drawing walks at a 10% pace. Guzman also appeared in one game at A-Ball Bradenton last year. Baseball America ranked Guzman as their 314th best draft prospect last season. They praised him for his strong glove work behind the dish, as well as his pull-side power and plate discipline for a young catcher.
Adonys Guzman with a bases-clearing double.
The Boston Red Sox prospect has one double and four RBI in High-A this season pic.twitter.com/Fg3QYdsqbY
— Hunter Noll (@Hunter_Noll) April 12, 2026
Guzman was the third and final player heading to Boston in the Garcia/Travieso trade. Despite only appearing in one A-Ball game last year, the Sox sent Guzman to their High-A affiliate to kick off 2026. It has worked out well for Guzman so far, with a .296/.394/.444 triple-slash, and 130 wRC+ over his first 33 plate appearances of the year. He has both five walks and five strikeouts, and has already hit a home run.
Main Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
