\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Pittsburgh](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Lowe-1-1120x630.jpg\")
Tampa Bay Rays’ Brandon Lowe, right, celebrates with on-deck batter Junior Caminero after scoring on an RBI triple by Josh Lowe off Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo\/Chris O’Meara)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
The Pittsburgh Pirates entered the offseason needing to improve MLB\u2019s worst offense from last year.<\/p>\n
The task of becoming formidable was tall for a Pirates team that finished last in baseball in runs (583), home runs (117) and OPS (.655) and were at or near the bottom in most other major categories.<\/p>\n
General manager Ben Cherington was relentless in his pursuits, by far the most aggressiveness displayed since he joined the organization after the 2019 season.<\/p>\n
The Ball Gets Rolling <\/p>\n
The first addition was acquiring outfielder Jhostynxon Garc\u00eda from the Boston Red Sox in a five-player swap that sent Johan Oviedo the other way. Garc\u00eda is still considered a prospect \u2014 he appeared in seven games in the big leagues last season \u2014 and has a fair amount of pedigree.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old split most of his time between Double-A and Triple-A last season and shined with Worcester, Boston\u2019s top minor-league affiliate. After he was promoted to Triple-A, Garc\u00eda played in 81 games and hit .271 with an .833 OPS, 21 home runs and 75 RBI.<\/p>\n
While Garc\u00eda has upside \u2014 and a fair amount of risk \u2014 the Pirates needed to add a more proven commodity that would have a better chance of making an immediate impact.<\/p>\n
Big Splash With Tampa Bay<\/p>\n
So what did Cherington do? He acquired two-time All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe as well as outfielder Jake Mangum from the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team deal that sent starter Mike Burrows to the Houston Astros.<\/p>\n
Lowe\u2019s 2025 All-Star season concluded with a .785 OPS, 31 home runs and 83 RBI in 134 games. The eight-year veteran owns a career .247\/.326\/.481 batting line with 126 doubles, 12 triples, 157 home runs and 446 RBI. <\/p>\n
Mangum, meanwhile, debuted as a 29-year-old rookie with the Rays last season and hit .296 with 27 stolen bases. He also provides value defensively.<\/p>\n
It Had Been a While<\/p>\n
After a pair of trades to address the offense, the Pirates dipped into free agency by signing outfielder\/first baseman\/designated hitter Ryan O\u2019Hearn for two years and $29 million. It was the first time the Pirates signed a free agent position player to a multi-year deal since Russell Martin in the 2012-13 offseason. <\/p>\n
O\u2019Hearn was an All-Star with the Baltimore Orioles last season and was traded to the San Diego Padres at the deadline. Combined between the two clubs, the 32-year-old slashed .281\/.366\/.437 with 21 doubles, a triple, 17 home runs and 63 RBI. <\/p>\n
O\u2019Hearn initially looked set to serve as the primary designated hitter but now seems destined for one of the corner outfield spots.<\/p>\n
But Wait, There\u2019s More<\/p>\n
The Pirates dipped back into free agency and landed designated hitter Marcell Ozuna on a one-year, $12 million deal. The contract includes a mutual option for 2027.<\/p>\n
Ozuna was an All-Star and finished fourth in the National League MVP race for the Atlanta Braves in 2024 after hitting .302 with a .925 OPS, 39 home runs and 104 RBI in a full 162 games. Though the veteran took a step back last season, he ended the year with a respectable .756 OPS (113 OPS+), 21 home runs and 68 RBI in 145 games.<\/p>\n
The Verdict<\/p>\n
In an ideal world, all five players acquired by the Pirates this offseason will make an impact on the club. Garc\u00eda looks like he\u2019ll serve as depth to start the season. Mangum appears likely to have a role, though probably as a fourth outfielder who can run, defend and put the ball in play.<\/p>\n
The Pirates are counting on the big trio of Lowe, O\u2019Hearn and Ozuna to help drastically improve the offense. Of the three, Ozuna is probably the biggest question. If a hip ailment was the culprit of last year\u2019s regression, there\u2019s no denying he could have a big year. But he\u2019s also 35 years old and right-handed hitters don\u2019t fare as well as lefties at PNC Park. Regardless, he\u2019s still an improvement. <\/p>\n
O\u2019Hearn will bring an appealing skillset to Pittsburgh in that he doesn\u2019t strike out a ton, hits for average and improved his on-base skills last season. The short porch in right field could result in more power for O\u2019Hearn, who set a career-high last season in home runs.<\/p>\n
But as long as he\u2019s healthy, Lowe seems like the guy who could be the biggest difference-maker of them all. He hit 31 home runs last season, the second time in his career he\u2019s hit more than 30. Since the start of the 2020 season, only Marcus Semien (145) has more home runs among primary second baseman than Lowe (134) despite the latter playing 204 fewer games. <\/p>\n
Add that left-handed power to PNC Park? Look out Allegheny. <\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: Brandon Lowe<\/a> Jake Mangum<\/a> Jhostynxon Garcia<\/a> Marcell Ozuna<\/a> Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a> Ryan O’Hearn<\/a> <\/p>\n