The Pirates took a step back in 2025 and fired manager Derek Shelton early in the season. He was replaced by his bench coach, Don Kelly, who'll take over in the dugout into 2026 and beyond. General manager Ben Cherington's job status prompted plenty of speculation, but he'll be back for 2026 as well. Can the Pirates finally turn things around?
Guaranteed Contracts
- Bryan Reynolds, OF: $76MM through 2030 (including buyout of 2031 club option)
- Mitch Keller, RHP: $54.5MM through 2028
Total 2026 commitments: $30.5MM
Total long-term commitments: $130.5MM through 2030
Option Decisions
- None
Arbitration-Eligible Players (service time in parentheses; salary projections via MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz)
- Dennis Santana (5.126): $3.4MM
- Johan Oviedo (4.078): $2MM
- Joey Bart (4.020): $2.7MM
- Justin Lawrence (3.167): $1.2MM
- Yohan Ramirez (3.135): $1.2MM
- Colin Holderman (3.120): $1.7MM
- Oneil Cruz (3.110): $3.6MM
- Dauri Moreta (3.056): $800K
- Jack Suwinski (2.170): $1.7MM
- Non-tender candidates: Holderman, Ramirez, Suwinski, Moreta
Free Agents
The Pirates have drawn increasing levels of praise for their excellent core of young pitching, headlined by likely NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, but the team's collection of bats is miles behind its impressive stable of arms. Anemic offense proved to be Pittsburgh's downfall yet again in 2025. The Pirates scored just 583 runs -- last in the majors and nearly 300 fewer than the MLB-leading Yankees' mark of 849. Pittsburgh hitters connected on just 117 homers -- a whopping 31 long balls behind the 29th-ranked Cardinals. The Pirates' lineup ranked 28th in batting average, 23rd in OBP and dead last in slugging percentage.
Addressing such widespread offensive deficiency isn't an easy task. Cherington's job security was the source of considerable speculation late in the year. He'll be back for 2026, but with Shelton out the door and owner Bob Nutting calling for "urgency" -- a rich declaration from an owner who hasn't signed a free agent to a multi-year deal in a decade -- there's mounting pressure for the sixth-year Pittsburgh GM to bolster the lineup in support of a strong pitching staff.
Even coming off a last-place finish, the Pirates seem far likelier to add to the roster than subtract. That doesn't mean there won't be some veteran Buccos available via trade -- there very likely will be -- but such trades will be aimed at acquiring young, MLB-ready hitters who can augment a lineup that's badly in need of an overhaul. Let's run through the roster and some possibilities.
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Sadly another last place finish with Nutting/Cherington team. They are not going to sign 8 hitters assuming Reynolds bounces back.
Horowitz is only other legitimate hitter currently on roster. Maybe Gonzalez also. Bart could bounce back if they don’t DFA him.
Gonzalez is too much of a free swinger and was often inserted into the #3 hole, rarely coming through with a hit
Batting Cruz lead off was a mistake, accumulating almost twice as many strikeouts than hits. He led the majors with called third strikes. I wonder if he even knows the strike zone
Davis became a very valuable defensive catcher but hasn’t lived up to his #1 draft pick expectations.
Endy is injury prone and Jack’s power has all but vanished
This team has too many offensive needs for Nutting to allow Cherington to spend money on making them competitive
It should be yet another failure by the cheapest owner and most incompetent GM in baseball in 2026
Cruz swung outside the zone less, but was way too patient this year. Though I think he could also be helped by some better hitters in the line-up. He still had one of the highest rates of pitches outside the zone this year. He should be taking advantage of that. I think Gonzales will probably end up as an Adam Frazier-type. He’ll hit around .270-.275 with a .710-.730 OPS, which is fine, but not great. Andy Haines ruined Suwinski. They tried to make him something he’s not.
Reynolds, Cruz, and Horwitz are the only ones I have hope in being above-average hitters in 2026. Nick Gonzales is a maybe at best. Right now, he’s looking at being an Adam Frazier-type. .270-.280 average, OPS hovering around .710-.730. Henry Davis has developed his defense a lot, but needs to start showing more with the bat. Right now, he looks like a back-up catcher on a decent team. But the Pirates’ pitchers love him, so he’ll probably get semi-regular reps. Joey Bart needs to start seeing reps at first base. His defense costed the Pirates last year, but he got hot in the second half and he still hits lefties well. Platoon him with Horwitz. Jared Triolo looked way better than ever before down the home stretch. He improved his xwOBA from .292 in 2024 to .321 this year. Even if he’s like a 90-95 wRC+ hitter, that’ll play with his defense, but won’t help the offense that much. He’s a super utility man with a playable bat, and I don’t think you should expect much else. Nick Yorke also looked solid down the stretch. They should’ve given him more playing time this year. I think he’ll end up as another Adam Frazier-type. Cam Devanney, Alexander Canario, and Jack Suwinski are likely shown the door.
Honestly, the easiest addition to the offense the Pirates could make is extending Konnor Griffin and starting him in the Major Leagues at shortstop. If mid-to-small market teams like the Brewers with Jackson Chourio, the Royals with Bobby Witt Jr., and the Rays with Wander Franco can give their young and up-and-coming stars sizeable extensions early in their career, the Pirates have no excuse not to.
Make a break off season for a generation of fans. Even the most optimistic pod casters seem to be giving up hope
pencil in 75 wins and last place for the Pirates in 2026 and beyond.
With Boob Nutting overlooking BCs work output this year, success is guaranteed. .
Poor Pirates, they are probably going let go Skenes
Ben Cherington has proven to be inept, and Bob Nutting has proven he cares more about the Pirates as a business compared to the Pirates as a winning team. A new GM might have convinced free agents to sign IF Nutting was willing to field even a league average salary. But with a labor battle coming at the end of the 2026 season, Nutting is far more likely to spend less in 2026 and limit his long term commitments. He’ll wait for a new labor agreement, which after a strike/lockout will likely include a proper salary cap system and revenue sharing. And the Pirates will still be terrible, because the management will be even more exposed for their inability to identify quality hitters.
Ben Cherington has proven to be inept
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I’m not a Cherington fan, but the Pirates could look really good if Nutting spent anywhere near what other mid-market teams are spending. BA & KC were #16/17 in CBT spending. If Pitt spent to that level (~$179M), BC would have another $63-64M (based on 2025).
Since he doesn’t need any more SPs, he could easily sign Alonso plus another big hitter, plus another RP. And if they moved Keller, who’s marginally market-priced, they’d $80M to spend and still have a formidable rotation.
They aren’t far from the playoffs, but they need to spend closer to the mid-market they are.
owner Bob Nutting calling for “urgency” –
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Well, that’s it then. Nutting calling for ‘urgency’ means he’ll spend the $60-70M needed on offense to create a contender. Rejoice Pirate fans, rejoice!
What a complete waste of what might be the best 1-6 rotation in BB.
Please, Pirate fans, don’t jump! I know it seems hopeless, but things will eventually turn around. It isn’t worth ending your life – think of the additional punishment Nuthing will induce if you’re not around to go to games, watch them on TV/online, or buy the merch! So don’t jump, but push Nuthing if you get a chance!
The SP will be the Bucs’ string suit this year. With Bednar gone, the bullpen needs serious attention, at least in terms of depth.
On offense, you have Reynolds and Horowitz followed by meh! If I’m Cherrington, I’m moving Cruz while he can still fit into the mantra of, he’s-still-a-young-guy associated with him. But that glitter is waning.
A .500 season in 2026 would be an accomplishment by any standard. Odds of that happening are somewhat slim if the payroll isn’t gonna crack $75 million.
Nutting has really turned Pirates fans into an angry bunch.
Apathetic and lethargic here
There were many games where the highest BA in the lineup was IKF at the 9 spot. This is downright pathetic. If Cutch comes back he should be platoon OF-DH only. Cruz needs to learn the strike zone, also needs to learn to count to 3 as he never seems to know how many outs there are. Reynolds will probably be OK but he’s never going to be a superstar. Davis can be a decent hitter if he stops trying to pull everything. Suwinski, alas. Is apparently not a big leaguer- seems like a good kid but they have to move on. Gonzalez and Horwitz are league average at best, Triolo will need to step up to league average. If all of these guys play up to their potential….they win 75 games and come in last again.
Trade for Trevor Larnach. Should not cost a ton but an average OFer would be a high improvement. Trade for a 3bman. Bohm, Jung or my preference Brett Baty. We could spare a starter that would be required to get him. Then get Yandy Diaz from TB. Could get him for lower level prospects with potential I would think. Maybe a Levi Sterling plus return. Then look to sign a capable 4th Of preferably RH. Austin Hayes maybe Lane Thomas? Then siign a LH depth starter, Griffen coming back from Japan would be an excellent target. Spend remaining money on bullpen. Caleb Ferguson coming back would be nice. Need a LHer. Payroll still around last years level and team is much more prepared to battle for a playoff spot.
If the bucs can match their 2024 juggernauts offensive output, they will be playoff contenders.
If they can replicate their mighty 2023 offense, they will be a wild card team .
Why stop there? If they can replicate every single thing from the 1979 team, they’ll be world champs.
Quite the indictment on ownership and management that a team with arguably the best SP in the game, the #1 overall prospect in MiLB, and the recently rostered top pitching prospect in MiLB, is rightly viewed as a bottom dweller.
They could afford to sign two of Tucker, Bregman, Bichette, or Schwarber and still have a payroll in line with Reds and Brewers. However, because of obvious reasons, they have zero chance to sign any FA of note.