Join us on Bucco Bantr as we sit down with former Pittsburgh Pirate, 9-year MLB veteran, and fan-favorite John Jaso for one of our most insightful and inspiring conversations yet. In this exclusive interview, Jaso takes us through his unconventional road to the Major Leagues, opening up about the challenges he faced, the mindset that carried him through, and the moments that changed his career forever.

We dive deep into his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, what it was like to catch a perfect game, and the unique obstacles he had to overcome as a professional athlete. John also reflects on his unforgettable time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, sharing stories from the clubhouse, memorable games at PNC Park, and what it meant to wear the black and gold.

Now years removed from baseball, Jaso talks about his life after MLB, including his passion for travel and exploring the world. Whether you’re a Pirates fan, a lifelong baseball lover, or someone who enjoys authentic conversations about life, growth, and adventure, this episode delivers it all.

If you enjoy the interview, don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more Pittsburgh sports content, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories from Bucco Bantr!

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MLB Winter Meetings RECAP: Paul Hembekides Talks Pirates Free Agency, Mitch Keller Trade Rumors & Phillies Fits

ESPN’s Paul Hembekides (“Hembo”) joins Bucco Bantr to break down the biggest Pittsburgh Pirates storylines coming out of the 2024 MLB Winter Meetings. We dive into the hottest Pirates free-agent rumors — including Luis Arraez and Ryan O’Hearn — plus the latest on Mitch Keller trade speculation and why the Philadelphia Phillies could be a real match for Pittsburgh in the trade market.

If you’re a Pirates fan looking for offseason updates, MLB rumors, trade predictions, and expert insight from one of the smartest voices at ESPN, this is the episode for you.

Topics Covered:

🔹 Pirates free agency targets

🔹 Luis Arraez & Ryan O’Hearn rumors

🔹 Mitch Keller trade market

🔹 Pirates–Phillies trade possibilities

🔹 MLB Winter Meetings news & analysis

🔹 Paul Hembekides (Hembo) on Pittsburgh’s offseason plan

Subscribe for more Pirates offseason updates, MLB rumors, and breaking news.

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🔥 INTERVIEW: Newly Acquired Pirates Pitcher Noah Murdock Talks His Journey, Growth & What Fans Can Expect 🔥

In today’s exclusive interview, we sit down with Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Noah Murdock to talk about his incredible journey to pro ball, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and what he plans to bring to Pittsburgh’s pitching staff.

From overcoming challenges in the minors to refining his pitch arsenal and mentality on the mound, Murdock opens up about the mindset, work ethic, and preparation that helped him reach the big leagues — and why he believes he can make an impact with the Pirates right away.

👉 Topics we cover:

• Noah Murdock’s path to professional baseball

• How he developed his game and matured as a pitcher

• What he’s learned from coaches, teammates, and past experiences

• His goals with the Pittsburgh Pirates

• What Pirates fans can expect from him in 2026 and beyond

If you’re a Pittsburgh Pirates fan, love pitching breakdowns, or want insight into how major leaguers build their careers, this is a must-watch interview.

⚾ Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more exclusive Pirates interviews and behind-the-scenes access!

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Adam and Chris discuss the second half their first double feature- the remake of The Bad News Bears. 29 years after the legendary original, does Billy Bob Thornton capture the magic of Walter Matthau's beloved alcoholic coach or is he just like all the other alcoholic coaches? Tune in, listen to them argue, don't put ketchup on a hot dog in Chicago, and get your popcorn ready for our first remake.

Welcome back to Bucco Bantr, your home for in-depth Pittsburgh Pirates analysis, prospect breakdowns, and all the latest MLB news impacting the Black and Gold. In today’s extended episode, we’re covering a jam-packed set of offseason storylines that Pirates fans can’t afford to miss.

We kick things off with a full breakdown of the recent Jhostnyxon Garcia trade, looking at why the Pirates made the move, what Garcia brings to the organization, and how this trade fits into the long-term pitching development plan coming out of Pittsburgh. We dig into scouting reports, organizational needs, and how Garcia stacks up against other young arms in the Pirates’ system. If you’re a prospect junkie, this segment is loaded with insight.

Next, we shift gears to the Marco Luciano signing, one of the more intriguing offseason additions for the Pirates. We talk through Luciano’s potential as a dynamic infielder, what his upside could look like if he stays healthy, and how he might fit into the club’s 2025 roster construction. We also discuss where he could slot defensively, what his bat can bring to the lineup, and how this signing compares to some of the Pirates’ recent international and young-talent acquisitions.

After covering the player moves, we turn our attention to the big-picture baseball event on the horizon: the 2025 MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando. We preview what Pirates fans can realistically expect, including possible trade scenarios, potential free-agent targets, and areas of the roster the front office might try to upgrade. From starting pitching needs to bullpen depth to middle-infield questions, we analyze every angle of what Ben Cherington and his staff might pursue. We also touch on league-wide rumors, teams that could match up with the Pirates in trade talks, and overall expectations for how aggressive Pittsburgh might be this offseason.

Throughout the episode, we offer predictions, comparisons, organizational context, and fan-driven insights to give you the most complete Pirates breakdown available. Whether you’re here for prospect talk, roster construction theories, or MLB-wide news, this episode delivers everything a Pittsburgh baseball fan needs to stay informed heading into 2025.

🎙️ NEW EPISODE: The Alex Stumpf Show | Bucco Banter Podcast

In this loaded episode of Bucco Bantr, we’re joined by MLB.com’s Alex Stumpf for a deep, unfiltered breakdown of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ offseason, the approaching MLB Winter Meetings, and all the storylines that could shape the Bucs’ 2025 campaign.

The Winter Meetings in Orlando are right around the corner — the hottest, wildest, most fast-moving week of the MLB offseason — and all three of us will be on the ground, in the thick of every rumor, negotiation, and surprise move. Before we head south, Alex stops by to give us an insider’s perspective on what fans should expect and what the Pirates absolutely must do to avoid getting left behind.

We dig into:

🔥 Why acting early in the free-agent and trade markets is crucial for the Pirates

🔥 What type of bullpen help Pittsburgh should aggressively target

🔥 Potential trade chatter around Mitch Keller, Johan Oviedo, and even top prospect Thomas Harrington

🔥 How these decisions impact the long-term competitive window

Then, the moment Pirates fans have been waiting for — Alex Stumpf addresses the Andrew McCutchen drama head-on. Will Cutch return to Pittsburgh for another season? What would that deal look like? And is bringing him back the right baseball move? Alex gives his honest take, and we break down every angle of the situation.

If you’re a Pirates diehard, a baseball news junkie, or someone who lives for offseason chaos, this is the episode you need in your queue.

Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more Pirates talk, live Winter Meetings coverage, breaking news updates, and exclusive interviews.

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In this episode, we sit down with Pirates 2025 19th-round pick Brandon Cain to talk through his unique baseball journey. Brandon shares what it was like growing up in a highly athletic family, how being a two-way player shaped his development through college, and what went into the draft process that ultimately led him to focus on pitching full-time in pro ball. A great look at his mindset, his path, and what he’s bringing to the Pirates organization.

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Adam and Chris dive into the classic 1976 film about a man that loves smoking so much that he takes a part time job that allows him to smoke even more. The movie about the titular miscreant ballplayers is filled with laughs, vaudevillian baseball faux pas, and a lot of heart- it also has some child abuse and it's really comfortable with the use of racial slurs. The first half of a special edition double feature, watch the original with us right now.