The Pittsburgh Pirates are making moves - and for once, it’s not just smoke and mirrors. General manager Ben Cherington has been one of the most active front-office figures this offseason, and his recent flurry of deals signals something we haven’t seen in a while from the Pirates: a clear push to compete.
Let’s start with the December 19 trade that brought in second baseman Brandon Lowe, left-handed pitching prospect Mason Montgomery, and outfielder Jake Mangum. That’s an impact trio.
Lowe brings proven pop from the left side, Montgomery adds depth and upside to the pitching pipeline, and Mangum gives the outfield another versatile option. Just three days later, Cherington doubled down by signing slugger Ryan O’Hearn to a two-year, $29 million deal - a clear signal that the Pirates aren’t just tinkering around the edges.
They’re building something.
And according to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, they might not be done yet.
Appearing on Foul Territory, Rosenthal named the Pirates as a real contender to land Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto, a power-hitting corner infielder who’s been on MLB radars all offseason. “We’ve heard about the Pirates’ interest from the start,” Rosenthal said, noting that Pittsburgh has become a more appealing destination after its recent roster upgrades. “They’ve got some things happening,” he added - and he’s not wrong.
This isn’t the same Pirates team we’ve seen in recent years, content to sit back and let the market pass them by. There’s a plan here. And it’s starting to take shape.
The rotation has long been the strength in Pittsburgh - loaded with young arms and upside - but what’s been missing is offensive firepower. That’s changing.
Lowe and O’Hearn bring legitimate middle-of-the-order potential. Jake Mangum adds depth and flexibility.
And don’t forget, Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz are still here, anchoring a core that’s finally starting to get some help. There’s also Jhostynxon Garcia, a high-upside power bat acquired in the Johan Oviedo trade with Boston.
He’s still a prospect, but he’s got the kind of raw tools that could make an impact sooner than later.
Put it all together, and the Pirates are looking - dare we say - solid on paper. That’s not something fans have been able to say too often over the past decade.
Earlier this offseason, Pittsburgh raised some eyebrows by submitting what many called a “ceremonial” offer to Kyle Schwarber. It was widely viewed as a symbolic gesture - a way to show interest without real intent.
But now, those symbolic moves are being backed up with real action. The Pirates aren’t just kicking tires.
They’re buying in.
If they’re able to land Okamoto, it would be the exclamation point on an offseason that’s already been one of the most aggressive in recent franchise history. Rosenthal even predicted that Okamoto could surpass the two-year, $34 million deal signed by Munetaka Murakami with the White Sox - a sign of just how highly regarded Okamoto is on the international market.
The deadline to sign Okamoto is January 4, so we won’t have to wait long to see how this plays out. But even if the Pirates don’t land him, the message from Cherington is loud and clear: Pittsburgh is done sitting on the sidelines. They’re building a team with real intent - and in the process, giving manager Don Kelly a much more competitive roster heading into 2026.
For a fanbase that’s been starved for meaningful baseball, that’s more than just offseason hype. It’s hope - and right now, it feels pretty well-founded.