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.
Jared Trillo’s bat was hot to in the second half. He potential to be a solid 3B.
It was solid in the second half of last season, too. Much as I’d like to see him blossom, it’s hard to imagine
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.
I know davis draft position is partly the reason of many ppl frustrations with him. But I look at it as the typical personal backup up catcher type and has value of that spot. I see the Frazier comp. But I don’t I feel that Gonzalez is far from Frazier defensively has alot more pop gap and power and a better clutch guy. Adam was a typical singles guy
Gonzales was in the 86th percentile of outs above average this year, so I definitley don’t think his defense is that bad, and he definitley showed more power in 2024 than Frazier did with the Pirates during his first stint with them. I agree on Davis, but I just wish he could hit a little. I’m not expecting Mike Piazza, but give me a good defensive catcher with an 85-90 wRC+.
It would be bold of them to have Griffin make the opening day roster. But after the fuzz they made over Skene’s eligibility I’d be surprised to see him in the first half
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.
Sjwi11 I’m not going to stop with 75. I’m going to lower it to 73 wins AND I’ll write it in ink.
I’ve been right in my past three predictions. (Yes, my claim to fame). If they do nothing this off season of do the bargain basement shtick, I’ll go with 68-71 wins. But way too early to predict
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.
They are as far from the playoffs from any team in the league. They were dead last in offense by a mile. It would take more than 2 hitters to turn that around. As for wishful thinking that Nutting will spend close to other mid market teams, there’s only 2 decades of historical evidence showing that he won’t do that. Why would he do it now for the first time in 20+ years as the owner, before an imminent 2027 lockout and possible lost 2026 postseason? And more importantly, even if Nutting did defy logic and precedent, why would Nutting trust Cherington with $60 million in additional salary when in year 5 as a GM he’s delivered the worst offense in the league? Wishful thinking doesn’t change the fact that this amazing franchise has been garbage for 10 years, and has no sign of turning around even with a Cy Young pitcher and #1 prospect.
“As for wishful thinking that Nutting will spend close to other mid market teams, there’s only 2 decades of historical evidence showing that he won’t do that. ”
That is completely false. After completing the rebuild in 2013, they spent as much and more than comparable teams in other markets like Tampa Bay, Oakland, Cleveland, and Milwaukee. In fact, they actually spent more in the losing seasons of 2016 and 2017 than they did in 2014 and 2015 when they made the playoffs. So, history shows Bob Nutting absolutely will spend when it is needed, but he doesn’t want to spend money if he doesn’t think the team is a winner yet.
You do realize you can look all of this up on Spotrac, right? In 2016, the Pirates spent $57,311,465 on the 26 man roster, which was 24th in the league. The AVERAGE team salary was almost double that number. If you want to go by total payroll allocation, they were 21st in the league, about $40,000,000 lower than the average. In 2017, they slipped to 24th in total payroll allocation. By 2018, they were 27th in the league. Mid market doesn’t mean just the bottom 6 teams in the league. The fact that he’s never had anywhere close to the 15th total payroll shows he has no interest in paying for a winner, and 10 years of losing shows he has zero ability to put together a winning roster.
braves at around 230M and only had a “few” more wins.
With the amount the franchise has (or doesn’t have) in stocked up cash the margin of error is very slim. a small injury is make or break.
Getting Pete would be amazing, I support it but he gets hurt there goes 30m down the drain. Pirates can’t take that hit.
They’re better off spending ‘big’ on 3 players who have been near average offensively, or a mix and match.
Trade a pitching surplus prospect(s) and more and talk Trout into coming to Pittsburgh 🙂
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
Pirates are historically angry people.
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.
Uh,the two teams I picked were bad offenses.
Way to keep up
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.
Lmao
And why would any of them choose to sign with Pittsburgh?
One could argue the Pirates with a couple of the players I mentioned would be a strong contender for next few years. But the point is moot because we all know Nutting would never authorize that type of expenditure.
Gee I dunno, because money talks maybe? I mean, are you serious? If Nutting chose to go after two of the guys Scott mentions with huge offers, your belief is they’d laugh because it’s the Pirates? Boy, is that naive
Lmao
Did you know other teams can always pay more?
Did you seriously not know that?
You are beyond naive.
Haven’t you noticed that high priced free agents go to only a handful of teams?
Lol
What’s funny is your logic. If we put your brain in a bird, it’d fly backwards.
Do you really think Pirates fans want Nutting to go after the Soto’s of the world? Or even Pete Alonso/Kyle Schwarber types?
Instead of looking for guys on their way out of MLB, most fans would hope for mid-tier acquisitions, nothing more
Those are the types of players we’re talking about. Scott’s original point might have been a bit pie-in-the-sky, but they have the money to correct things here. But they won’t
Read Starkey’s column in today’s PG and try to get some fresh air
This CBA is Nutting’s golden goose, he’s going to milk as much as he can from it in his final year. In only a couple years he’s going to demand public funding to completely renovate PNC Park with the threat of moving the team after the lease ends in 2030. The State/City/County should give him nothing.
PNC doesn’t need massive renovations, and they just did a ton back in 2020-2023. If Nutting’s true plan was to move the team out by 2030, then investing $11 million in new rennovations along with nearly $6 million for a new jumbotron, just to abandon it all in about 7-10 years makes no sense.
I believe every player tried to do more because the other players were so horrible on offense
It was contagious last year and everyone was trying too hard as a result, swinging at bad pitches, not taking enough pitches that were out of the zone
There is an article where the pirates are interested in the angels outfielder Jo Ardell. Hes 26. 36 homeruns last year. Below fielder. Suited for left field. Angels looking for pitching. Sounds like a Keller for Ardell trade would be interesting. Then sign a decent free agent hitter,or make a splash for say an Alonso. But knowing cherrytree cherrington and Bobo nutting they will make a splish instead of a splash.
This is what I’m talking about!
Castellanos and Bohm would fit into the Bucs lineup.
If Philly paid for part of Castellanos salary it could work for minimal prospect return.
Whats Bohms salary next year? an about league average bat would be nice.
Castellanos only makes sense if you are sure his 2025 was a fluke of bad luck. Probably have to pay to get rid of him otherwise.
That said… Nick did better than many regular pirates last year at the plate but that isn’t saying much.
Figure Alec Bohm at $10-11 million in the last year of arbitration eligibibity..
not too bad. I could see there being more that passive interest there.
The Bucs will be looking for players with a few years of control and younger than players like Castellanos
Signing players to one year contracts has not worked. Until they start signing free agents to two or three year contracts this team will go nowhere. Only the bottom of the barrel will accept a one year contract since they don’t have any better offers.
First, all of the comments talking about how bad this team will be next year are blindly biased angry fans. They will be improved next year, even if only because the younger guys are a year older.
The real gut punch is when you realize this team has positioned itself to be competitive in 2027…and 2027 will bring a needed lockout…
At least after a new cba with a cap and floor the Bucs won’t need to wait 50 years between championships.
LOL. Yeah. Ok. Blindly biased angry fans. Sure
We read the same schlock every year about the Pirates looking to be improved. Ok. How?
They don’t have hitting. They can’t score runs. The strike out a helluva lot
Unless Skenes and the starting pitchers can be counted on to go 7+ innings every time out, this will be another 90 loss season, barring an epiphany from their profit above all obsessed owner
I would argue that their bullpen has been mostly quite good the last few years. Hard to win games when your runs per game are less than your runs allowed per game. We all guess that Nutting is profiting an “unreasonable” amount, but we don’t know the debt that he has to service every year; that would be nice to know in order to judge him more fairly.
whatever it takes to get offense. things like the CBA and the TV deals have really screwed the pirates the past couple years. I don’t expect Bob to willfully lose a ton of cash.. some maybe if it actually looks like they have a shot.. right now its kinda shaky at best
Hopefully they can get a couple bats to take advantage of their pitching. they have some surplus and a fairly deep farm
Pirates just need to accept that Oneil Cruz can’t play the field, so park him at DH.
problem is that he can’t hit either. maybe he’ll figure it out by the time the trade deadline comes around 😀
48.3M in 2026 committed dollars among 11 players listed. 15 more players to fill 26 man roster. $45M more for the 2026 season? 3M average per player then. Back of the napkin calculations, but the problem is pretty obvious (and well known I admit). They have to win with young, well-developed, well-coached players who also have to come to the game hungry and with a coachable attitude.
Joey Bart is more of a non-tender candidate than Dauri Moreta. Moreta’s not bad an barely.making more than league minimum, if that protection is right.
Anyone saying it is BC’s fault should take a look at the Pirates $ spent per win. If the garbage owner actually let BC spend money, perhaps they would actually do something worthwhile. A few slips in the draft with Davis and a few others but overall the drafts have been aimed at adding the most talent and the pitching the team has both at the top end and lower end of the system is really nice.
Cherington’s problems have been a bad trader and awful hitting development.
He also stuck with a bad manager far too long and the owner evidently had to intervene to fire him.
Cherington has certain pluses but he has had six years to produce a winning team and that has nothing to do with Nutting and his money.
Nutting spent a reasonable amount when they had a good team.
All of the small market teams do that when the farm system develops winning players.Only the Brewers have been different recently going in cycles and they consistently have high attendance,
Granted,Nutting is cheap,and takes his gold home with him.Businessmen tend to do that.
But Cherington not having Middleton stupid money to spend which has produced zero championships also keeps Ben from spending multi multi millions of dollars on players like the Panda.
In some regards Cherington has more room for error in not being able to sign high priced players who can get hurt or underperform.
His absence of producing hitters over six years when other teams can do it not only belies his background in player development,it causes him to have been a failure as a GM once again.
We shall see if it somehow changes this year as Nutting is either too cheap to fire him or thinks that he cannot hire someone better.