The Pirates clearly entered the 2025-26 offseason with ambitious goals. They've spoken in the past about wanting to lure more free agents and make impact additions in the lineup, but both comments from Pittsburgh brass and the reporting surrounding their early offseason endeavors struck a different tenor. The Pirates' reported willingness to offer Josh Naylor in the vicinity of $80MM was a genuine surprise, given the lack of spending to which we've become accustomed from owner Bob Nutting. The reported $120-125MM offer to Kyle Schwarber -- which would've been the largest deal in franchise history -- was even more of an eye-opener.
Ultimately, finishing second-, third- or fourth-place on a pair of notable free agents has the same end result as sitting out the bidding entirely, but it was nevertheless notable that the Bucs came out swinging. It appeared to set the stage for a more aggressive offseason than usual, and to an extent, we've seen that. Ryan O'Hearn's two-year, $29MM contract isn't a major price to pay for most clubs, but it was the first multiyear free-agent deal given out by Pittsburgh since 2016. Acquiring Brandon Lowe, similarly, wasn't necessarily a blockbuster move in and of itself, but it's a higher-profile trade target than we typically see from the Bucs. Their trade of Johan Oviedo to the Red Sox netted them a fairly touted young outfielder, Jhostynxon Garcia, who could be in the majors early in 2026.
The additions of Lowe and O'Hearn add a pair of clearly above-average bats to Pittsburgh's lineup. They'll join Spencer Horwitz, Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz atop the lineup. Horwitz was last year's primary offensive acquisition, and while his contributions were muted by a spring wrist procedure and a slow start upon activation in June, by the end of the season he looked the part of a quietly excellent pickup. Horwitz hit .272/.353/.434 overall, but that includes a dismal start to his season. Over his final 298 trips to the plate, he slashed .290/.372/.481 with nearly as many walks (11.4%) as strikeouts (15.1%). From late July through season's end (219 PAs), he slashed .314/.402/.539 with a 12.3% walk rate and 13.7% strikeout rate.
The quintet of Horwitz, O'Hearn, Lowe, Reynolds and Cruz has the makings of a solid top half of the lineup -- particularly if Reynolds can set aside last year's awful first half. Through the All-Star break, the Pirates' star outfielder was hitting just .225/.287/.369 (80 wRC+). Following the Midsummer Classic, he turned in a .276/.364/.453 line (128 wRC+) that's more akin to expectations for the 30-year-old former All-Star (who'll turn 31 later this month).
Add in the looming debut of Konnor Griffin, the top-ranked prospect in all of baseball, and you can start to see why Pirates fans are showing some cautious optimism. Griffin may only be 19 years old, but he skyrocketed from Low-A to High-A to Double-A in his debut season last year, posting an outrageous .333/.415/.527 line with 21 home runs and 65 steals despite being one of the youngest -- if not the youngest -- player at each of those minor league stops. The No. 9 overall pick from 2024 could make his MLB debut this coming season, and there's been speculation about him having a real chance to crack the Opening Day roster. There's a lot to dream on for Bucs fans, but the Pirates still feel like they're one bat short.
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The bat rack.
Simple, but hilarious.
If they want to lure free agents, offer the most money. Theyre holding the ultimate coupon in Skenes; any contract they hand out this offseason can simply be packaged with Skenes when he’s ultimately traded
Trade for Santander. Bet Jays will pay 50%
His salary is only 13.5 and a lot is deferred. They won’t have to pay anything.
That would be a big mistake for the Pirates. He’s 31 and has already peaked. He’s only hit 3 War once, and that was a 3.0. He had three defent seasons in his late 20’s, got paid, and there’s no upside left here.
decent
Still a ripoff
Small correction: It reads “With the Pirates spending big on Dylan Cease, Kazuma Okamoto, Cody Ponce and perhaps even Kyle Tucker”.
Should read the Blue Jays.
D’oh. Thank you. Edited.
Lenyn Sosa + Luis Robert (improve the defense in CF as well) + $10M for Comp pick + package of 2-3 guys outside of top 10
Got anyone major league ready with speed? ChiSox had 85 steals last year and those 2 guys combined for 35 of them. Recent retiree Michael A Taylor was 3rd on the team with 8. So add a speed guy and I’ll take that trade.
As you know, WSox want a near ready SP when picking up 10mil. Closest resemblance would be Harrington even though he got roughed up in AAA and cup of coffee callup during ’25.
Perhaps Rangers and Pirates could line up on a Jung for Barco trade.
Jung isn’t worth Barco, he’s barely worth Suwinski
I’m beating a dead horse here but I’d hope they’re beyond reluctant to trade a pitcher who may be a starter this year. A guy slotted to be on the farm, perhaps, but Barco? Nope
Unless they’re going to sign Suarez, the best proposed deals I’ve seen listed here involve something like Bart going to the Phillies for Bohm. He fits well
But trading talents for “iffy” guys should be a thing of the past
I concur Old Timer!
Would rather go with Triolo at third. Jared is a better fielder and Jungs offensive upgrade isn’t worth giving up Barco for. that 30% K rate with a 5% Walk rate is a huge red flag
Nick Yorke
Are the Pirates contending this year? Where did you get all that money?
Yes. Same $ they have every year with lil extra from late 2025 cuts and expected 2026 attendance sponsorship gains.
Teams almost ‘must’ spend 150% of the revenue sharing they get for on-field items. Its not as ‘easy’ to get around it and put the money to infrastructure the way the pirates did in the past. (ex: fixing up development facilities and such) that on the field extends past the opening day roster and includes others like the whole 40man rosters. I believe it also includes some coaching, scouting and development salaries but not real sure.
There are been reports that the pirates franchise has been losing money since the new CBA AND the Local Media fall out. In related reports ownership of a few teams decided it was better to have the strike end and possibly lose money. I’m guessing the pirates and other effected teams will push to change it some.
the opening day 25man salaries have been nearly on par with that 150% right now the projected salary is over 100m, so as of right now they are probably a little over that minimum if that projection holds up.
Ref: Cot’s Baseball Contracts
Dodgers send Teo for a guaranteed Skenes start at Chavez Ravine every year he’s a Pirate.
Red Sox fan here. If they’d take on a bit of $, Masataka Yoshida would look great in black and yellow😌
Yoshida is injury prone
That’s black and gold, not yellow.
CJ Abrams for Seth Hernandez and Harrington plus some salary relief on a bad Nats contract.
Arky, love that trade proposal. I hate giving up potential front line starter in Seth Hernandez…but you gotta give in order to get. Abrams would provide much needed power (whether it’s at SS in the short term or at 3B). And I love the bonus of his speed. He’d look great as the Pirates lead off hitter. Please go help Ben Cherington make this deal!
Hernandez is an unknown with much promise.
They should not even be thinking of trading him.
Awful trade. You don’t trade a elite prospect unless it’s for a stud or at least great player. Abrams is just a guy. Bad SS. Might be a bad 3b as well.
No way
Pirates say no easily.
We have Griffin coming up this year and Abram’s was the worst defensive shortstop in baseball, Hernandez could be another fast arrival with his arsenal, If Cherrington were to make a boneheaded decision like this I would drive from Florida and kick him in his nuts
I was thinking Abrams at 3rd when/if Griffin makes it to MLB. He’s a livewire and Triolo can cover late in games as def replacement.
CJ just isn’t worth a Seth when they can probably fill holes with out giving up a reasonably possible front line starter
Pirates would probably be better off moving Cruz back to SS and using the prospects in the OF
Yikes … Cruz to DH, maybe? But hope we don’t see him back in the infield.
i meant better off with Cruz at SS than CJ. Not giving up talent to get a bad fielding short stop with high offensive potential
I doubt the Pirates are going to spend any big bucks. They could go get Hoskins or Goldschmidt to play 1B. Ozuna and Marte are still out there but Ozuna is strictly a DH at this point. Harrington in a package may get them a solid bat back, if he isn’t in the future plans.
1st base is covered, silly Goose.
The Bucs are looking for 3b/ss types.
Harrington is a back rotation prospect. Not getting much of a bat for that. But a 1 year rental if no other team is hot for could happen. 3b is target area ideally.
Ketel Marte? They have Brandon Lowe.
Ozuna makes sense.
Marte has a no trade clause in his contract and Pittsburgh is one of the teams in it
gGiven the context I’m confident they implied the other Marte, the one who used to play for the Bucs….
Which is amazing to me. The guy blossomed here. But hey, c’est la vie. And TheMan3 is talking about the former Pirate, too, I believe
Get Shaw from the Cubs,
Astros have 5 infielders for 4 spots, seems like a pretty easy source.
They are going to go after Paredes in that case. There isn’t really anything the Pirates have to offer when they are taking their pitching off the table, also, I’d rather trade with the Red Sox. You can get Harrison and prospects. Something like that.
Pirates want something for nothing. Ergo, always sucking hind t*t.
On the contrary, the Pirates have been screwed over by numerous teams over the years. I’d hope they’d hold onto top pitching talent on the cusp rather than accept the scraps other teams have usually succeeded in sending them
Let’s work out a 3 way deal between Yankees, Pirates, and Cubs.
Yanks send Pirates Jazz Chisholm, Pirates send Cubs Mitch Keller, Cubs send Yanks Nico Hoerner.
No team makes that deal
Chisholm has one year left until free agency.
Even Cherington is not stupid enough to trade his #2 starter for that.
Cruz and Jazz shouldn’t be allowed to be on the same team.
Haha. Keller should be off limits now.
I mean, a starting staff with Skenes and 4 other guys who collectively haven’t made ten major league starts?
after trading Burrows and Oviedo, they are unlikely to trade another starter
If anything they will be looking for a lefty veteran to fill in until Jones returns next summer
Skenes, Chandler, Keller, Ashcraft, Barco, Harrington are the likely candidates currently. Jones being probable later in the season.
Trading Keller is certainly an option if they can get an average+ bat with at least two years of control other wise keep him. is pretty great most of the time with the occasional blowouts. Well worth the money he gets.
Just would make signing a decent veteran more important than it currently is.
Disagree completely.
You’re praying then for no injury to Skenes
You’re pushing a huge workload onto kids who’ve never had such a load at any level
And since we’ve seen the type of veteran this GM has gone for recently, you have a better than even shot that the work you put into finally building a contender goes down in flames due to lack of foresight
Its always a risk, if the pirates are going to win they need runs. there are still quite a few pitchers who can give you innings out there. There are not many third basemen out in reach. Seems to me if the opportunity is there for a reasonably sure offensive upgrade you take it.
But yeah I’d rather have Keller stay.
I dunno. Your points are well taken. I’ve just always believed in the idea that you don’t take from a strength and make it a weakness. Ah but who knows? If they were to be blown away by an offer, yeah, how do they refuse
I think your point about signing Suarez now makes greater sense than before thanks to Bregman and Bichette signings
Man, I hope the Bucs do something. One of the oldest franchises around.
Why not add Teo to this list? If Dodgers are looking to possibly get better fielding maybe shoot him over to the Pirates for some pitching depth.
I know they can and should get a better hitter, but bringing back Starling Marte would be good, as an almost player coach.
One of Vientos or Mauricio could be just what they need.
If they were to bring back a veteran who would both play occasionally and be an influence to the younger players, it should be Cutch, not Marte
Eugenio Suarez would be a perfect fit for this team in my opinion, I could see Moncada as a fit as well
I can’t see them paying enough to land Suarez when there are teams out there who could also use him and are willing to sign a free agent for more than $39M total.
Moncada is an awful defender and hasn’t been good for 4 years, so that’s probably their target.
Suarez is the best realistic option in FA.
But.. Trade Bart and a respectable but not great prospect to Philly for Bohm and then sign Caratini on a 2y/12m fills the holes with out spending a bunch. Also frees SS up for Konnor in 27 should he be able to make it up… also gives a rental trade piece in Bohm if Konnor comes up early.
Bohm plays 3b KG ss so him coming up would effect Bohm at all.
It would presumably move Triolo to 3B in 27, is I believe what he’s getting at. Not that Triolo should block KG in any way, but they also probably won’t find an actual SS this year.
Given they need a pitcher too, Suarez would put them at 115-120 minimum, and I just can’t see that happening. So likely looking at a rental at 3B and Triolo filling SS as best he can until Griffin’s ready to fly. Probably best they can do this year without offending the owner.
Triolo is best as a utility player. Unless Bohm stinks he would play 3b. Wouldn’t be traded if he stinks. If Triolo hits he could play 3b in 2027.
Agreed 100%. Every stretch of success he’s had has been accompanied by an insanely high BABIP, and that never holds up over the long haul. He’s pretty valuable if he’s starting 4-5 games a week across 3-4 positions given his defense, but I wouldn’t pencil him in as a starter for 2027 quite yet. If he does start hitting consistently, Lowe’s leaving at the end of the year too, so 2B will also be open.
I don’t think the Pirates have the talent level to worry about whether they can find room in the lineup for a surprise success quite yet. They need to improve upon the Triolo/Gonzales/catcher at the bottom of the order for this year first. Sub out any of the starters and that’s your 6-8 in the lineup, and that’s how Skenes repeats as a .500 pitcher with an ERA under 2.
If he hits he can play everyday as utility player. He can play 4 to 6 positions. Someone will get hurt at some point as well.
Everyone has Lowe leaving but I think there’s a solid chance he is back if qualifying offer is still a think. Polanco gets 20m a year for 2 years so 22m for one year of Lowe is a good deal. Good chance he takes it and hits free agency next year without it. Not that they need him. TJ can only play 2b as far as we know and looks like a mlb starter.
If Phils get Bo, Bucs trade for Bohm & extend him. Would still sign Andujar for DH/LF, would give them slot of lineup options . Triolo at SS for now would be OK
I’m glad people are finally jumping on the bandwagon Mendoza started out of the station a couple months ago. To me, Bohm is the best fit. And yeah, like Mendoza, I’d also be ok with Castellanos coming over
Bohm is fine. Any of the 3b mentioned all year would be fine. Andujar though would be a weak platoon dh. He’s not a good outfielder and the pirates have 4 better outfielders. If they are bringing Cutch back makes it hard to have both. Goldschmidt hits lhp as well. Brings star power. Great 1b. Tauchman walks. Ozuna Hoskins could hit hrs. A lot of dh bench options.
I would go with Suarez for two years for $35-40 M but he will probably get more years.
Phillies could still trade Bohm but if the Pirates do not get Suarez they should get Ozuna to DH for $12M for one year.
Agreed. I don’t know what the Phillies have coming up in the pipeline but I’d have a hard time understanding why they get rid of any of their front line players now that the market has cleared up
Signing Suarez makes the most sense now but I wonder about that price tag and a bidding war again
The best option is to hope the jays sign either Bo or Tucker. In that case they may need to trade Barger or Clement. It would take good prospect capital who doesn’t have to go in the 40. I think they have a shot at Geno. Don’t see Seattle wanting to go with round number 3. Maybe one of the Jung brothers.
Would still like the Giants to keep Eldridge, but if there are upside arms out there, then trading him could be an option, quick look on BTV, something like Eldridge and Schmitt around 60 in combined value for Ashcraft and Hernandez, around that 60 combined value as well. Or Eldridge for Chandler straight up
“Similarly” should START the sentence, not come in the middle between commas.
NYM now have a logjam of fringe players who could potentially be everyday players on the right team: Baty, Vientos, & Mauricio.
Gotta think there is something there that is available via trade
K.Senga, B.Baty, C.Benge
for
M.Keller, O.Cruz, J.Bart