MLB Offseason Roundup: Pirates Keep Swinging, White Sox Reunite with Fedde, Astros Weigh Trade Options

It might not officially be baseball season yet, but with pitchers and catchers starting to report, the hot stove is still burning-and it’s giving fans across all 30 clubs a reason to start dreaming. Monday delivered a flurry of moves, headlined by a six-player trade and a few notable signings that could shape the early contours of the 2026 season.

Let’s break it all down.

Pirates Keep Adding Bats, Sign Marcell Ozuna

The Pittsburgh Pirates are making it clear: they’re not content to sit back after finishing last in the majors in runs scored last season. They’ve already added second baseman Brandon Lowe via trade and brought in veteran outfielder Ryan O’Hearn through free agency. Now, they’ve taken another swing at boosting the lineup, agreeing to a deal with free-agent designated hitter Marcell Ozuna.

Ozuna, 35, isn’t the same force he was in his prime, but he still brings legitimate power to the middle of the order. Last season, he posted a .232/.355/.400 slash line with 21 home runs and 68 RBI over 592 plate appearances-good for a 113 OPS+.

That’s not peak Ozuna, but it’s still well above league average. The Pirates are banking on a bounce-back campaign, hoping his bat can help anchor a lineup that’s been starving for consistency and pop.

This move fits a clear pattern: Pittsburgh is prioritizing proven offensive contributors, even if they come with some age or recent regression. With Ozuna joining Lowe and O’Hearn, the Pirates are giving themselves a fighting chance to climb out of the basement offensively-and maybe surprise a few people in the process.

White Sox Reunite with Erick Fedde

The Chicago White Sox are turning back the clock a bit, reuniting with right-hander Erick Fedde on a one-year deal. It’s a move that makes sense for both sides. Fedde had the best stretch of his MLB career with the White Sox, and now he’s back looking to recapture that form.

Last season was a rough ride for Fedde, who split time between the Brewers and Cardinals and finished with a 3-10 record and a 5.49 ERA over 141 innings. But rewind to the first half of 2024, and the story looks very different.

In 21 starts for the White Sox before being traded that year, Fedde went 7-4 with a 3.11 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 108 strikeouts in 121 ⅔ innings. That version of Fedde was efficient, reliable, and exactly what Chicago needs as they look to stabilize their rotation.

He’ll slot into a starting group that includes Shane Smith, Davis Martin, Sean Burke, and Anthony Kay. It’s not the flashiest rotation, but if Fedde can find some of that 2024 magic again, he could be a valuable piece for a club still in transition.

Astros Exploring Trade Market for Isaac Paredes

The Houston Astros are in an interesting spot on the infield. With Jose Altuve shifting back to second base and Carlos Correa returning to third, Isaac Paredes has become something of a luxury-and his name keeps popping up in trade talks.

According to recent reports, Houston held “serious discussions” about a three-team trade that would’ve sent Paredes to the Red Sox, with Brendan Donovan headed to the Astros. That specific deal didn’t materialize-Donovan ended up with the Mariners, and the Red Sox landed Caleb Durbin-but the key takeaway is that Paredes remains very much available.

Paredes has shown he can be a productive everyday player, and his bat carries value, especially for teams looking for infield pop. The Astros, meanwhile, appear to be reshuffling their roster to maximize fit and flexibility. First baseman Christian Walker is also reportedly being shopped, which suggests Houston is open to bigger structural changes as they look to stay competitive in a loaded American League.

Final Thoughts

We’re still in the early days of spring training, but front offices aren’t wasting time. The Pirates are pushing hard to fix their offense, the White Sox are betting on a familiar arm, and the Astros are positioning themselves for potentially significant roster moves.

Baseball may not be back just yet-but the chess pieces are already moving. And if these early deals are any indication, we’re in for another unpredictable, fascinating season.