MLB free agency: Pirates sign BIG contract for Ryan O’Hearn? Can he boost offense with Brandon Lowe?
Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Colin Beazley react to news that the Pirates have signed outfielder Ryan O’Hearn to a two-year contract worth nearly $30 million. This show is presented by FanDuel.
How much better does O’Hearn make a lineup that struggled in 2025 for manager Don Kelly and GM Ben Cherington? Coupled with the trades for Brandon Lowe and Jhostynxon García, do the Pirates have the power they need to compete in MLB’s National League Central alongside incumbent sluggers like Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds? And to what degree does this deal signal intent from owner Bob Nutting to spend on supporting the team around Cy Young winner Paul Skenes? Our duo tackles those questions and more.
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13 comments
Okamoto, Okamoto, Okamoto
As an O's fan, you will love O' Hearn.
Wouldn’t you want Cruz to rotate into the DH slot as part of the mix? I think BRey has the edge with the glove.
Where's this leave Cutch?
Now, sign a power bat for 3B and this team could legit contend.
55 yrs fan I'm feeling like little kid They might be playoff team with this 7th ranked pitching average hitting they are in playoffs And have best pitcher on planet Skenes and 1 prospect all baseball ⚾ adding Lowe,Ohearn,Mangum,Garcia,Soto,Montgomery 6 good players
Lowe,Ohearn both Allstars
Horwitz,Reynolds,Cruz will all be better because of these additions
The Fire Still Burns!!!
This will make Reynolds better and we still have Mitch keller
If you are looking for a 2+ WAR guy at 3rd, Bohm isn't the answer. He's done that once in 5 full MLB seasons.
Not to be Negative.. But all these deals where done to keep them getting becoming the subject of the Player Association during the up coming lock out. Since they have not been spending their Revenue Sharing on field performance. Which was the whole point of Revenue sharing.
What is odd the little hype Montgomery is getting.. He could be the Modern day version of Rob Dibble..
The Pirates should use the remainder of their money to Extend Lowe, now If they can get him to sign a 3yr 80 Million deal.. But I am sure he will be seeking more like 5 or 6 years since this free agency period would be his last chance at a big pay day since he will be 32 this time next year
The Pirates missed out on Sung mun Song would of been someone they could afford to battle for 3rd base spot.. Okamoto is someone I have been championing but he will want at least 12 million a year odds are won't take a 2 year deal. With the Cubs knocking on the door.. Yahoo sports has reported they did a teleconference with Okamoto..
Konnor Griffin will not be up until Mid June.. As amazing as he is he is only 19. Alex Rodriguez his first 60 plus games hit let than .230 with 5 home runs..
So all this hype is for 2027 question will be for the Pirates. How long with the lock out last will they force a higher major league minimum payroll with a possibility of a salary cap which I have no doubt will be at 2 extremes example 125 million – 350 million we all know where the pirates will be. That will be the only way the players union may agree to it.. it will have to have increase each year..
Jt realmuto