Donnie Football

He's the only one that's not in his mid-30s, but I'll tell you why.

He's off the table.

His ERA was in the 6s last year in 34 innings.

He did have a positive war, 0.1.

He has good seasons in New York with the Yankees in 22 and 24, but he also has an injury that will keep him out for most, if not the entire, 2026 campaign.

He got surgery in October, is not expected to start baseball activity until the All-Star break.

You can rule him out.

This is only going to be a one-year thing.

My money right now would be on Anderson or Corbin if they do go that route.

Those are the two that make the most sense.

Unless they actually want to push forward with just five right-handed starters, and then maybe Barco is that guy.

That could be their plan.

If Barco has a spring training like Jared Jones did in 2024, then maybe.

Anderson has a history with the Pirates and Ben Charrington, and I wouldn't mind his return as someone you can just toss in the middle of a rotation that is right now built on hard-throwing right-handers.

But I think this team is missing a key piece in its rotation.

As exciting as that rotation is, it's led by Paul Skeens and some other really talented arms in there.

I think the need for a left-handed pitcher...

might be just as big as the need the Pirates have at third base.

412-928-9370.

You can hop on the fan hotline.