The Milwaukee Brewers are gunning for a fourth straight NL Central crown, but the road to the top is looking a lot bumpier in 2026. The division that’s been theirs to dominate in recent years is suddenly stacked with revamped rivals-and none more intriguing than the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Let’s start with the usual suspects. The Chicago Cubs, who’ve been nipping at Milwaukee’s heels for three straight seasons, made a statement this winter.
They swapped out Kyle Tucker for top-tier free agent Alex Bregman at third base, retooled their bullpen with a series of smart, under-the-radar moves, and took a flier on Edward Cabrera to bolster the rotation. That’s not a rebuild-that’s a reload.
Cincinnati isn’t sitting still either. The Reds, fresh off a 2025 postseason appearance via the third NL Wild Card spot, added some serious pop to their lineup with the acquisition of Eugenio Suárez.
Their young rotation, already showing flashes last season, is only going to get better with another year of experience. That’s a group no one’s going to want to face in a short series.
But the real wildcard in the division? Pittsburgh.
Yes, those Pirates-the team the Brewers beat eight straight times to close out the 2025 season, finishing 10-3 against them overall. But this year, it’s not business as usual in the Steel City.
For the first time in a decade, ownership is signaling it’s ready to compete. And the roster moves back that up.
Pittsburgh has already added high-upside prospect Jhostynxon García and two-time All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe via trade. They also inked 2025 All-Star Ryan O’Hearn to a two-year deal.
That trio joins a rotation that’s already one of the best-kept secrets in baseball, led by budding ace Paul Skenes. And the front office isn’t done yet.
According to multiple reports, the Pirates are actively pursuing two of the biggest remaining names on the free agent market: designated hitter Marcell Ozuna and lefty starter Framber Valdez.
Ozuna, who finished fourth in NL MVP voting just a year ago, would bring some much-needed thump to Pittsburgh’s lineup. Even though his 2025 numbers dipped-he hit .232 with a .355 OBP, 21 homers, and a 113 OPS+-he still profiles as a dangerous bat in the heart of the order.
The challenge would be finding him consistent at-bats. With O’Hearn, Lowe, and Spencer Horwitz already in the mix, the DH spot is getting crowded.
And given Ozuna’s defensive limitations, if the bat doesn’t bounce back, his value could take a serious hit.
Valdez, on the other hand, is a curious fit. Pittsburgh’s rotation is already deep and talented, with Skenes, Mitch Keller, Jared Jones, Bubba Chandler, and Braxton Ashcraft holding it down.
Adding Valdez would give them one of the most formidable starting staffs in the league-but it wouldn’t address the team’s more pressing need: offense. For a franchise that’s spent years losing close, low-scoring games, investing even more in pitching might not move the needle where it counts.
Still, for Pirates fans, this offseason has already been a breath of fresh air. The franchise is finally showing a willingness to spend, to compete, and to shake off the label of being an automatic win on the schedule. They may not be ready to dethrone the Brewers or leapfrog the Cubs and Reds just yet, but they’re no longer the pushover they’ve been.
If Pittsburgh does land Ozuna or Valdez-or both-they won’t just be a team on the rise. They’ll be a team you have to game-plan for. And in a division that’s suddenly bursting with talent, that could make all the difference.