The Pittsburgh Pirates aren’t exactly known for swinging big in free agency. So when they start circling names like Ryan O’Hearn - a mid-tier bat with pop and positional value - it raises eyebrows. And for Padres fans, it might raise some blood pressure too.
Let’s rewind a bit. O’Hearn was brought to San Diego midseason to do one thing: mash from the left side and add some depth to the lineup.
He delivered. He gave the Padres a boost, did his job, and looked like a piece worth keeping around - especially for a team that still has question marks at first base and needs more thump behind its core.
Now, he’s a free agent. And the Pirates - yes, those Pirates, the ones who’ve been allergic to big spending for most of the last two decades - are reportedly in the mix.
They were in on Josh Naylor before he re-signed with the Mariners. They’ve been linked to Kyle Schwarber.
And now they’re kicking the tires on O’Hearn, along with names like Jorge Polanco and Kazuma Okamoto.
That’s not just surprising - it’s telling. If Pittsburgh is willing to entertain a multi-year deal for O’Hearn, it likely means the price tag isn’t outrageous.
Estimates suggest a two-year deal in the low-to-mid $20 million range. That’s not exactly franchise-altering money, especially for a Padres team that’s been willing to spend in recent years.
Which brings us to the uncomfortable part: San Diego might be sitting this one out.
The buzz out of the Padres’ camp this offseason has leaned more toward trades and internal promotions than free-agent splashes. That strategy isn’t inherently flawed - smart trades and player development can absolutely move the needle.
But it does create a different kind of winter for fans. One that feels a little more cautious, a little less aggressive, and a lot more uncertain.
And when a team like the Pirates - a club that usually operates with a calculator in one hand and a ledger in the other - is suddenly more aggressive in the free-agent market than the Padres, it’s hard not to take notice. It’s even harder not to wonder what that says about San Diego’s current direction.
O’Hearn isn’t a superstar, but he’s the kind of player who fills real needs. He hits from the left side, brings power, and has shown he can produce when given the chance. For a Padres roster that still has holes to fill and ambitions to contend, letting a player like that walk - especially when the cost is manageable - sends a message.
And if that message is, “We’re pulling back,” then fans have every right to ask: how far?
Because when a team that’s long been defined by its willingness to spend starts getting outpaced by one of the league’s most famously frugal franchises, it’s not just about one player. It’s about the bigger picture. And right now, that picture is looking a little blurry in San Diego.