The Phillies announced that they have acquired right-hander Chase Shugart from the Pirates. Pittsburgh receives minor league infielder Francisco Loreto in return. The Bucs had designated Shugart for assignment last week to open a 40-man spot for Ryan O’Hearn. Philly had a 40-man vacancy but their roster is now full.
Shugart, 29, has tossed 53 2/3 innings in his career. The majority of that was with the Pirates in 2025, plus a brief stint with the Red Sox in 2024. Combined, he has allowed 3.52 earned runs per nine with an 18% strikeout rate and 9.2% walk rate. He has averaged around 95 miles per hour with his four-seamer and sinker while also throwing a cutter, sweeper and changeup.
He has flashed a bit more upside in the minors. Last year, for instance, he tossed 20 2/3 Triple-A innings with a 1.74 ERA. He struck out 25.3% of opponents, limited walks to a 7.6% clip and induced grounders on 54.7% of balls in play. He still has an option remaining, so the Phils can shuttle him between Philly and Triple-A Lehigh Valley throughout the 2026 season. If he still has a roster spot at the end of the season, he can be retained into the future via arbitration.
In order to add that depth, Philly is parting with a prospect. Loreto, 18, was part of Philadelphia’s international signing class in 2024. Initially listed as a catcher when he signed out of Venezuela, he primarily played third base in 2025. He spent last year in the Florida Complex League and slashed .237/.332/.396. He doesn’t appear on top prospect lists but the Pirates are likely pleased just to get a lottery ticket as the return for a guy they had already bumped off the roster.
Photo courtesy of Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images
The poverty Phillies settling for the Pirates castaways.
Gar.
Pirate might settle for Bohm as a Phillies castaway at 3B.
Settle? I’d be thrilled if they even did that. I think they’ll settle for the guys we have in-house.
I’d rather they target Moncada or Renfigo as free agents…probably cheaper, similar output, and don’t cost any players in return.
If they’re going the trade route, I’d hope they’d go for years of control since there’s no one even remotely in the pipeline…Shaw, Mayo, and Jung would be at the top of my list.
Agreed. The guys they have in-house include Triolo and Nick but nothing on the cusp in the pipeline. They need one more hitter, at least. I’d love Bohm. I’d love the guys you’ve listed I’d love Suarez
But they can’t stand pat
Moncada will give you some solid production and defense while he’s on the field. How long that will be, that’s the gamble.
I really do feel like Rengifo will have a bounce-back season, things were very off with the Angels team this past year.
Jung hasn’t had a good season in awhile
When Loreto gets here, then we’ll make a run.
Maybe Shugart isn’t as bad as some folks on here have claimed? Still I like how the Pirates are now in a position where it’s getting tougher to dfa players because the roster isn’t bad.
Agreed. I haven’t understood why folks think we need another bullpen arm. By my count it seems we have:
Starters: Skenes, Keller, Ashcraft, Chandler, and as yet unsigned lefty starter
Bullpen: Soto, Santana, Montgomery, Mlod, Matson, Nicolas, Lawrence, Sisk (not to mention Ramirez who could make the roster but likely will be in AAA to start)
I guess we could move Sisk but I don’t know that we’ll get someone all that better. Shuggart was a good arm but couldn’t make our bullpen. I’m encouraged.
With the exception of Suwinski who for some unknown reason, still has a roster spot
I thought Jack was off the 40 🙁
Posting #JackOffThe40Man on Pirates articles until he’s DFA’d.
Shugart is an okay middle reliever, but the Pirates already have a fairly deep bullpen, added guys like Brandan Bidois to the 40-man roster, and could probably find someone similar on the FA market. I’m okay DFA’ing him for O’Hearn.
The Phillies sign their 45th left handed reliever in the last two weeks. The old through a pan of spaghetti against the wall and see what sticks strategy.
Throw
Shugart is a righty, though he does bat left handed…
I hope his nickname is Shugart Daddy.