Spencer Horwitz Traded to Pirates from Guardians

The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired infielder Spencer Horwitz from the Cleveland Guardians in a surprising trade that involved three pitchers—Luis Ortiz, Josh Hartle, and Michael Kennedy. Horwitz, who initially joined the Guardians from the Toronto Blue Jays just hours earlier, is expected to fill the Pirates' need for a first baseman. In 2024, Horwitz showed promise with a .265 batting average, 12 home runs, and strong on-base skills, ranking among the top rookie hitters. Critics, however, question his power potential, noting his average exit velocity and performance against left-handed pitching. The Guardians' return in the trade aims to enhance their pitching depth, while the Pirates look to improve their offensive output, having struggled with on-base percentage and power last season. This trade marks a significant step for the Pirates as they continue to rebuild their roster under general manager Ben Cherington.