The Pittsburgh Pirates wrapped up the 2025 season with a 71-91 record, landing them in fifth place in the National League Central for the second year running. But as we look ahead to 2026, there's a sense of cautious optimism among the Pirates faithful, thanks to some key offseason moves aimed at revamping the roster.
While the Pirates have bolstered their lineup with several new additions, sports analyst Paul Hembekides points out that these changes might not lead to an overall improvement. Offensively, the Pirates are poised to make strides, but defensively, especially in the outfield, they might be stepping back.
“This team was lauded for their aggressive moves and the improvements in their lineup, but defensively, there are concerns,” Hembekides mentioned on the Baseball Tonight podcast. “I see potential issues all over the field.”
In 2025, the Pirates managed just 3.6 runs per game, the lowest in MLB, while allowing 4.0 runs per game, which ranked them fifth-best defensively. The offseason changes have enhanced their offensive capabilities but at the cost of their defensive solidity. The big question remains: is this tradeoff worth it?
Ryan O’Hearn, signed to a two-year, $29 million deal-the largest for a position player in Pirates history-will be taking on left field, one of the most expansive positions in baseball. Joining him is Oneil Cruz, who struggled defensively last year with a -14 Defensive Runs Saved in center field, and Bryan Reynolds, whose defensive metrics were below average.
Despite these defensive challenges, the Pirates' pitching staff was a bright spot last season. Their rotation was solid, and the bullpen delivered consistently.
However, Hembekides predicts that the pitching staff might face new hurdles this year. “The strikeout rate was below average last season, and they’re not known for being overpowering,” he noted.
With 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings, they were just shy of the league average, yet they boasted a commendable 3.76 ERA, the third lowest in the NL.
The Pirates' offensive struggles were evident as they finished at the bottom of the league in home runs, RBIs, and OPS. As the new season approaches, Pirates fans are hopeful that the offensive upgrades will pay dividends, but the defensive and pitching questions loom large. Whether these offseason moves will translate into success on the field is the storyline to watch as the 2026 campaign unfolds.