Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Isaac Mattson, right, celebrates with catcher Henry Davis, after getting the final out of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
There’s been a change in perception around the Pittsburgh Pirates, from the fanbase to some national media members giving kudos for an unusually productive offseason.
That’s not to say anyone is crowing the Pirates as World Series champions just yet. They aren’t even the favorites to win the National League Central. But there’s no denying the team is in a much better position to compete than they have been the last several years.
The Pirates have made several splashes this winter. They acquired two-time All-Star Brandon Lowe — and outfielder Jake Mangum and left-hander Mason Montgomery — from the Tampa Bay Rays. They signed a free agent to a multi-year deal for the first time in nearly a decade in 2025 All-Star Ryan O’Hearn for two years and $29 million.
Veteran relief pitcher Gregory Soto and outfield prospect Jhostynxon García are among the other players acquired by Pittsburgh so far this offseason.
The players returning from 2025 have taken notice of what’s been done so far and the potential impact the acquisitions could have, especially on the lineup.
“I think adding those two guys, Brandon and Ryan, they’re two middle-of-the-order guys and that adds a lot of depth to our lineup,” first baseman Spencer Horwitz explained. “I think last year I hit seventh twice. I might be starting the year hitting seventh. I might be starting the year hitting first or second. I don’t think that’s a hit on my ability, I think that’s a blessing that we have so much talent now.”
The Pirates finished the 2025 season ranked last in baseball in runs, home runs and OPS and were at or near the bottom in most other major statistics.
By adding quality depth to the lineup, Horwitz, the Pirates’ top hitter from last season, and regulars Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds, both of whom will be looking for bounce-back seasons, some of the pressure will be alleviated.
“I think Ryan, Brandon, Bryan, Oneil — all of them — we’re just super excited to be able to lean on each other,” said Horwitz. “If somebody’s having an off day, we know the guy behind us or in front of us will pick us up.”
The Pirates held their annual fan fest at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh over the weekend before the frigid cold temperatures and heavy snow was dumped on the area.
Weather prevented a handful of regulars and newcomers from attending the event, but Mangum was a new addition getting familiar with fans of his new team.
Infielder Jared Triolo felt a different buzz amongst the fans at PiratesFest this year. He noted a segment when Mangum took the stage and talked to those in attendance. The 2024 Gold Glove winner thinks once the fans see all the new players the excitement will grow even more.
“Once everybody gets to see the other guys we’ve got, it’ll be good,” Triolo said.
Optimism is usually high for all 30 teams this time of year. It’s no different for the Pirates two weeks ahead of their scheduled report date to Bradenton for spring training.
Returning regulars, new faces and a fresh outlook on a brand new season have all 30 teams believing they can hoist the World Series trophy in the fall. For 29 teams, that will prove to be false hope. But for the Pirates, there’s a stronger belief they can reach the postseason in 2026.
A strong offseason, however, is only part of the equation.
“I think every year you walk into it with the expectation of winning and winning at a high level. And I feel like that’s where this group’s at,” said reliever Isaac Mattson. “Still have to put in the work. Still have to show up every day and focus on the process over the outcome. I feel like as a group we’re excited for 2026.”
Are the Pirates a playoff time as currently constructed? That might be a stretch for a team that won 71 games and finished in the cellar of the National League Central a season ago.
But confidence is higher than it has been during what’s felt like a never-ending rebuild. That’s at least a step in the right direction.
Just ask rehabbing starter Jared Jones how he feels about the coming season.
“Sounds like we’re going to win a lot of ball games here soon.”
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