Manager Clint Hurdle is fond of the phrase, “Spring training games don’t count, but they matter.” Though teams take much more into account — option and 40-man status, service time, past performance — when setting their opening-day roster, spring training gives them the latest data points on the 60-plus players competing for a roster spot or playing time.
The trade of Andrew McCutchen created the first significant outfield void, aside from Starling Marte’s steroid suspension, since 2014. The trade of Gerrit Cole once again has the Pirates deciding on a fifth starter. And both trades added relievers to what could be a talented bullpen.