PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have had one of their busier offseasons in recent history, improving roster that desperately needed additions.
The Pirates signed free agent slugger Ryan O’Hearn to a two-year, $29 million deal, making him their first multi-year free agent signing since 2016 and their first multi-year free agent position player signing since 2015.
Pittsburgh also stayed active in the trade market, landing second baseman Brandon Lowe, outfielder Jake Mangum and left-handed relief pitcher Mason Montgomery from the Tampa Bay Rays, plus top 100 prospect in outfielder Jhostynxon García from the Boston Red Sox.
The Pirates could still use some additions to their roster, but doing so is harder at this point in time than at the beginning of the offseason.
Challenges Facing Pirates Making More Offseason Moves
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic wrote about the Pirates and the offseason that they’ve had so far, one of the better ones of any MLB team.
He noted that while the Pirates have made moves, their payroll is only just $8 million higher than it was at the end of last season at now just $95 million.
The Pirates did trade away third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes and closer David Bednar, both of whom would’ve added a total of $16 million to the payroll this season, with that money then moved around to add Lowe and O’Hearn for about $25.5 million in 2026.
Rosenthal looked at someone like free agent third baseman Eugenio Suárez, who the Pirates have had interest in and would add a great right-handed power bat to their lineup.