Notes: Skenes BA-ROTY, Coaches Shuffle, Minor League Honors, Arb/FAs, Clips 'n' Snips

Let the offseason/postseason (what's that?) begin...

Moves, News & Stuff:

• The Pirates dismissed hitting coach Andy Haines (hired beginning the 2022 season), bullpen coach Justin Meccage (hired 2018) and strength/conditioning coach Adam Vish (hired starting the 2021 season). It seems GM Ben and skipper Shelty made the cut for 2025.
• Paul Skenes was selected as Baseball America's Rookie of the Year. Skenes was only the second Pirate to win BA-ROTY award, following Andrew McCutchen, who took the honor in 2009. Skenes, who was the NL’s starting pitcher in this year’s All-Star game, was 11-3/1.96 in 133 IP (23 starts) with an 0.95 WHIP, 170 strikeouts and a .198 oppo BA. Paul was the #1 overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft. After a brief tune-up in the minors, he debuted for the Bucs on 5/11/2024 with a no-decision v the Cubs and didn't miss a turn during the campaign. BTW, GM Ben said that there will be no hard limits on Skenes next year, so 30+ starts, 200+ IP and 100+ pitch counts look like they're on next year's radar.

• MLB Pipeline has five Pirates pups in their newest Top 100 Prospects Rankings: #15 RHP Bubba Chandler, #50 CF/SS Konnor Griffin, #75 2B Temarr Johnson, #85 RHP Braxton Ashcraft and #91 RHP Thomas Harrington.
• Indy OF Ji Hwan Bae (.342/8 HR/14 SB) and UT Nick Yorke (.333/7 HR/13 SB) were named to the International League postseason All-Stars by MiLB.com.
• Here's the 2025 Pirates sked.
• The Savannah Bananas will play two games v the Texas Tailgaters at PNC Park on August 29 and 30, 2025. They're a hugely entertaining barnstorming gang. 
• Tough news: Former Bucco and current Padres RHP Big Joe Musgrove, 31, will undergo Tommy John surgery after a season of being on-and-off the IL.

Decisions, Decisions...

• Arb-eligible players: C Joey Bart, RHP David Bednar, OF Bryan De La Cruz, LHP Bailey Falter, RHP Ben Heller, LHP Colin Holderman, 1B/OF Connor Joe, RHP Johan Oviedo and RHP Dennis Santana. Free agents: LHP Jalen Beeks, LHP Ryan Borucki, LHP Justin Bruihl, LHP Aroldis Chapman, C Yasmani Gandal, RHP Domingo German, LHP Marcos Gonzales (club option for '25), 1B/OF Jake Lamb, DH/OF Andrew McCutchen, OF Billy McKinnon, OF Edward Olivares, RHP Ryder Ryan and RHP Jake Woodford.