The Pittsburgh Pirates have been one of the more quietly aggressive teams this offseason, and it’s starting to show in their revamped lineup. With the additions of Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn, and most recently Marcell Ozuna, the Pirates are clearly signaling they’re ready to move past rebuilding and start pushing for something more in 2026. But if they really want to turn the page and give their offense the punch it needs, there’s one more move that could round things out: making a play for Mets slugger Mark Vientos.
Now, Vientos isn’t exactly coming off a career year-his 2025 numbers were underwhelming by most standards. In 121 games, he hit .233 with a .289 OBP and a .413 slugging percentage, good for a .702 OPS.
But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find that the potential is still very much there. This is the same guy who, in 2024, slashed .266/.322/.516 with 27 home runs and 71 RBI.
That kind of pop doesn’t just disappear overnight.
And here’s where it gets interesting for Pittsburgh. The Mets have made a series of moves this winter that could make Vientos more expendable.
With Bo Bichette now in the fold to handle third base and Jorge Polanco expected to take over at first, Vientos is suddenly without a clear everyday role in New York. That opens the door for a team like the Pirates, who could really use a bat like his in their lineup.
Right now, Jared Triolo is penciled in as the Pirates’ starting third baseman. He’s a solid defender, but his bat hasn’t quite kept pace-he carries a career OPS of .667, which puts him well below league average in terms of offensive production.
Vientos, even in a down year, still posted better numbers across the board. And if he bounces back anywhere close to his 2024 form, he’s not just an upgrade-he’s a potential middle-of-the-order threat.
There’s also the matter of cost. Vientos earned just $788,000 last season, and he’s not expected to command much more in 2026.
For a team like Pittsburgh that’s always looking for value, that’s about as team-friendly as it gets. Add in the fact that he can play both corner infield spots and serve as a DH, and you’ve got a versatile, power-hitting piece who fits perfectly into what the Pirates are building.
Pittsburgh reportedly came close to landing Eugenio Suárez earlier this offseason, only to lose out to the Reds. That tells us they’re still in the market for another bat at third base. Vientos checks a lot of the same boxes-power, positional flexibility, and upside-but at a fraction of the cost and with more long-term control.
The Pirates have already made significant strides this winter. Adding Vientos would be the finishing touch, a move that not only upgrades their lineup today but also gives them a young, controllable slugger who could be part of their core moving forward. If they’re serious about contending-and their offseason moves suggest they are-this is the kind of deal that could take them from intriguing to legitimate.
Spring Training is right around the corner. There’s still time for one more bold swing.