Today on Bucco Brew, we’re setting the bar high — 38 WAR high. As the Winter Meetings approach and the Pirates stare down one of the biggest offseasons in recent memory, we’re digging into a number that matters: 38 wins above replacement. Ten of the twelve teams that hit that mark in 2025 made the playoffs. The 2013 Pirates hit that same number when they finally broke through.

So what would it actually take for the Pirates to get there in 2026?

We’ll break down where the current roster sits, how much WAR they realistically need to add, and the different methods they can use to close that gap — free agency, trades, internal jumps, and risk-reward swings. Think of it as our blueprint for building a playoff-caliber roster.

Grab your coffee. This one’s all about the math of winning — and what the Pirates must do to reach it.

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