Pittsburgh Pirates Non-Tender Three Players

The Pittsburgh Pirates have non-tendered contracts for outfielder Bryan De La Cruz, first baseman/outfielder Connor Joe, and pitcher Hunter Stratton, making all three players free agents. Joe, who struggled with a .228 batting average and was arbitration-eligible, was not a surprising cut, while De La Cruz's release is seen as a mild surprise despite his disappointing performance after being acquired from the Miami Marlins. Stratton, who had a respectable 3.58 ERA, is in discussions for a possible minor league deal with the team. This decision reflects the Pirates' strategy of managing their payroll and moving on from underperforming players ahead of potential free agent acquisitions. The team's 40-man roster currently stands at 36, and they are expected to explore cost-effective options in the free agency market. Pittsburgh management is under scrutiny for their budget-conscious approach, especially given the players' prior expectations regarding arbitration raises.