The Pirates announced they have claimed outfielder Will Robertson off waivers from the White Sox. Ryan Kreidler was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
Pittsburgh marks the third MLB organization for Robertson in the past four months. He came to Chicago in a trade from Toronto back in July after getting designated for assignment by the Blue Jays. Robertson had been in Toronto’s minor league system for his entire career heading into this season, since getting drafted by the team in 2019.
A strong start to the Triple-A season earned Robertson his first taste of MLB action in June. He slashed .292/.403/.578 with the Buffalo Bisons prior to getting the call. Robertson made three starts with the Blue Jays, recording an RBI single for his first MLB hit on June 15 against the Phillies. It would be his only knock with the team.
Robertson spent his first week in Chicago with the big-league club. He appeared in four games, making two starts. He went 0-for-6 with four strikeouts. Robertson was optioned to Triple-A on July 19. He returned to the White Sox on August 27 and carved out a semi-regular role over the final month of the season. Robertson made 13 starts in September, while also appearing twice as a pinch-hitter. He recorded seven hits in 44 at-bats.
Andrew McCutchen and Tommy Pham are free agents, so Pittsburgh could use some outfield depth heading into 2026. Robertson’s persistent strikeout issues will make it tough for him to hold down a regular MLB job, but he’s shown power potential at times in the minors. He hit 20 home runs in Triple-A between Buffalo and Charlotte this past season. Robertson popped 19 homers in 464 plate appearances with Buffalo in 2024, matching his mark from 2023 with Double-A New Hampshire.
Pittsburgh claimed Kreidler off waivers from Detroit in August. He spent a week on the big-league roster in September before heading back to Triple-A Indianapolis. Kreidler did not make an appearance with the Pirates.
Kreidler spent parts of four MLB seasons with the Tigers. He’s hit just .138 across 211 plate appearances at the highest level. His main draw is defensive versatility. Kreidler has made appearances at second base, shortstop, third base, left field, and center field with Detroit. If Kreidler clears waivers, he’ll qualify for minor league free agency at the beginning of the offseason.
The Pirates are obviously looking for some power bats…..(◔_◔)
Deck chairs on the titanic
All the Pittsburgh baseball geniuses will love this one.
Come on guys, the man is just doing his job, I trust his opinion better than yours.
Joe-But we trust our opinions better than yours.
yeah, Cherington’s 6 years of basement dwelling obscurity clearly shows how much his opinion has affected this franchise
Here we go again. Cherrington fishing in a trout stream for a king salmon. ALC and NLC just starting and this clown is in the bargain basement of Dollar General. Gonna be another long off season with the 3 stooges. Nutting Cherrington and Kelly
I wouldn’t put Kelly in that mix. But Cherington only has a job due to how he lucked out 12 years ago. He’s done nothing since then. Nutting? Nothing more can be said about him.
To be fair, when he took over the farm system couldn’t produce hitters and pitchers. Now they can produce pitchers. There has been some improvement. Just not enough improvement.
2019 record 69-93
2025 record 71-91
Over six years of Cherington,the Pirates won two more games.
Average wins over six years are 68 per year given the win % of 2020 over 162 games.
Any improvement has not manifested itself in wins.
Isn’t that why they play to win games?
Cherington does not deserve any benefit of the doubt because there is no doubt.
Just what we need, another guy who can hit AAA pitching but not MLB pitching. He will help the Indy team have another winning record but isn’t the GM’s job to produce a winning team at the major leasgue level?
Actually 2025 was the first time he really hit well. 2023 was okay.
But hey, we have our new Suwiffffffffski
Moving the needle.
I’m kind of hoping Ryan Ward is available for nothing this fall. I’d take a chance with that guy on a short side platoon.
he had one of the best catches of the year
Kreidler in CF for the Tigers? He is a great athlete, but a lousy hitter.
And the Cherington dumpster diving efforts begin
I don’t get why, when every team in the MLB does these types of transactions, it’s dumpster diving when it comes to Cherington. At least when this guy makes contact, it’s loud — as opposed to Kreidler. In all likelihood he doesn’t survive on the 40-man for long, but bringing him in increases the chances that you can sign him to a minor-league contract for depth. It’s becoming clear the Pirates aren’t going to coax anything more out of Suwinski, but maybe this guy has a little more ability to make contact with a few tweaks. It’s not like they waived Skenes to get this guy.
yeah, every team does it but Cherington makes a habit of it and usually with bad results for the offense
When he makes contact?
He will fit right in with this team, strikeouts and very few walks
Except this is October and the season isn’t over yet. Robertson is replacing Kriedler, not exactly worthy of a 40 man spot, and will probably lose the same spot himself in the offseason.
There are plenty of reasons to gripe about BC’s job, todays transaction shouldn’t be one of them. It means nothing.
Pundit-You are right as this is a typical move for many teams and Cherington needs power and that seems to be why he did it.
And this guy may very well not last long.
But I suggest that Suwinski has a better chance to return to his original form than Robertson has potential to hit home runs in the ML’s.
These type of players get bounced around like ping pong balls and so few make it that it really is like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
Cherington may need the space anyway for minor league player additions prior to the minor and major league drafts.
Tbf, most fans complain about these moves as if they’re somehow more than tinkering at the margins. If your team is asset poor, you have space to give a Will Robertson some small opportunity to surprise you. This is an era when anybody with a standout trait can jump in a lab and maybe come out transformed.
Danger!!! Danger!!!
Test
Better than kridder, not saying much
Wonder how many times this guy will be designated and claimed this off season
A bit of a vagabond pickup but hopefully as useful for them as the last Pirate drifter of note, Steve the Pirate, who contributed down the stretch in the Average Joe’s playoff push
Came to bask in the love for once and forever Tigers Organizational Man Ryan Kreidler.
Left, and rather abruptly at that.
Did Canario change his name to Robertson? Only BC is fooled.
Lets be fair to BC on this one. Free agency isn’t even open yet. Nobody is making trades during the playoffs. Robertson will be dropped off the 40man and they hope to stash him at AAA
Not a big deal at all.
Not news worthy wake me up if he signs a major league capable hitter.
Pirates are going to the world series!!! if they can scalp some tickets.