Pirates Pull Off Blockbuster: Breaking Down Ben Cherington's Biggest Trade

Ben Cherington just made the biggest trade of his Pirates tenure — and it might finally change the direction of this franchise.

On this episode of Bucco Brew, we break down the blockbuster deal that sent Mike Burrows out of Pittsburgh and brought back Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum, and Mason Montgomery. We dive into why this move matters, how Lowe immediately upgrades the offense, what Mangum adds to the lineup mix, and why Montgomery gives the Pirates another intriguing arm.

Is this the most impactful trade Cherington has ever made? Does this deal signal that the Pirates are finally shifting from asset accumulation to contention? And what does this move mean for the rest of the offseason and the 2026 roster?

We’re digging into the numbers, the roster fit, and the bigger picture for a team that suddenly looks a lot closer to competing.

Subscribe, like, and join the conversation — Bucco Brew is live for Pirates fans who want real analysis and real talk.

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