The Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t just dip a toe into the 2025-26 offseason - they dove in headfirst. After years of measured spending and cautious roster building, this winter has looked and felt different. There’s been talk in the past about wanting to be more competitive in free agency, but this time, the actions matched the words - and then some.
Let’s start with the big swings. The Pirates reportedly offered Josh Naylor a deal in the $80 million range - a number that would’ve raised eyebrows from just about any team, let alone one with Pittsburgh’s notoriously tight purse strings.
Then came the reported $120-125 million offer to Kyle Schwarber - a figure that would’ve shattered the franchise record for a free-agent contract. Neither deal landed, but the intent was loud and clear: the Pirates are tired of sitting on the sidelines.
Sure, finishing as a runner-up in free agency doesn’t show up in the standings. But it’s hard to ignore the message being sent.
Pittsburgh's front office is clearly signaling a shift in approach. And while they didn’t land Naylor or Schwarber, they’ve still managed to make some meaningful moves that could help reshape the lineup.
Ryan O’Hearn’s two-year, $29 million deal might not be a headline-grabber in New York or Los Angeles, but in Pittsburgh? It’s a milestone.
It’s the first multiyear free-agent contract the Pirates have handed out since 2016 - a notable departure from the one-year stopgaps of years past. O’Hearn brings a left-handed bat with pop and a proven ability to handle both righties and lefties, giving the lineup a much-needed jolt of consistency.
Then there’s Brandon Lowe, acquired via trade. Again, not a blockbuster by league standards, but it’s a savvy pickup.
When healthy, Lowe is a legitimate power threat from the second base spot - and that kind of offensive upside in the middle infield is something the Pirates haven’t had in a while. He’ll slide into a lineup that’s starting to take shape, one that suddenly looks more competitive than it has in years.
The Pirates also flipped right-hander Johan Oviedo to Boston and brought back Jhostynxon Garcia, a toolsy young outfielder with real upside. Garcia could be knocking on the big-league door as soon as this summer, and while he’s still raw, the potential is there. It’s the kind of forward-looking move that shows the front office isn’t just thinking about 2026 - they’re trying to build something sustainable.
Looking at the lineup, there’s a legitimate top five forming. O’Hearn and Lowe join Bryan Reynolds, Oneil Cruz, and Spencer Horwitz - and that group has the potential to do some damage.
Horwitz, in particular, is a name to watch. After a slow start coming off a spring wrist injury, he found his rhythm in the second half and quietly became one of the team’s most productive hitters.
From late July through the end of the season, Horwitz slashed .314/.402/.539 with more walks than strikeouts - a stat line that doesn’t just suggest improvement, but real growth. His plate discipline and contact skills give the Pirates a steady presence in the heart of the order, and if he keeps trending upward, he could be one of the better under-the-radar pickups in recent memory.
As for Reynolds, the hope is that his post-All-Star break surge was a sign of things to come. He struggled mightily in the first half (.225/.287/.369), but turned it around with a .276/.364/.453 line after the break - much more in line with what you expect from a former All-Star. If he can carry that production into 2026, it changes the complexion of the lineup entirely.
And then there’s the wild card: Konnor Griffin. The 19-year-old phenom is already the No. 1 prospect in baseball, and he’s coming off a jaw-dropping debut season in the minors.
Across three levels - Low-A, High-A, and Double-A - Griffin slashed .333/.415/.527 with 21 home runs and 65 stolen bases. He was often the youngest player on the field, but you wouldn’t have known it by the way he played.
There’s a real chance Griffin could break camp with the big-league club, and if he does, it’ll be hard to temper expectations. His speed, power, and advanced approach at the plate make him one of the most exciting young players in the game - and he hasn’t even taken a major league at-bat yet. Whether he debuts on Opening Day or later in the season, he’s going to be a central figure in whatever the Pirates become over the next few years.
Still, for all the progress, there’s a lingering sense that the Pirates are one bat short. The top of the lineup is shaping up nicely, but depth remains a question - particularly if injuries hit or if any of the key contributors regress. That said, this is the most aggressive and forward-thinking Pittsburgh has looked in a long time.
The Pirates aren’t just talking about building a contender anymore - they’re starting to act like one. And for a fanbase that’s waited a long time to see this kind of intent, that’s a reason to believe something different might finally be brewing in the Steel City.