We push back on the national trade chatter and lay out why the Pirates shouldn’t entertain it—period. From roster construction to timeline, we talk realistic paths to keep your ace in Pittsburgh and what an early-career plan could look like.

Then we dive into Rafael Flores’ surprise call-up and debut. Why adding him now (9/18) makes sense for the 40-man, what we saw in his first game (hard contact, first MLB knock, drew a walk), and how his bat profiles alongside the current lineup. We also break down MLB’s new “recovery period” rule for amateurs—what it changes for scouting HS/college arms and how it could shape future drafts.

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