As an optimistic Pittsburgh Pirates fan, every year I head into the season with high hopes that, just maybe, I’ll see the Pirates make the postseason, or at the very least make an effort. But sadly, every year has the same story.
We all know that owner Bob Nutting hates to spend big money, so usually the offseason sees a few free agent signings that make little to no impact on the team as a whole. Once the season starts, everyone becomes excited for baseball, and shows up for opening day, only to get demolished by any opponent they face.
Then, the Pirates kind of level off and finish the season dead last in the National League Central with just over 70 wins, way less than ideal for such a historic MLB franchise. The front office says they plan on building a winning team, but for the past seven years, the Pirates have been below .500, and haven’t been to the postseason in 10.
It wasn’t until early in 2024 where I, other fans and even management began to see possibly a new life in the Pirates. Legendary pitcher Paul Skenes made his debut on May 11, 2024, against the divisional rival Chicago Cubs, and boy, did Skenes put on a show. In just four innings, Skenes struck out seven batters, and only let up three runs and led the Pirates to a narrow 10-9 win.
Ever since then, Skenes has been unstoppable. In the 2024 season, Skenes went 11-3 as a starter, struck out 170 batters and had an unbelievable ERA of 1.96, and a WHIP of 0.947, which led him to easily securing the NL Rookie of the Year and an NL All-Star appearance.
Although the Pirates finished the 2025 season dead last in the NL Central, Skenes still dominated and even won the NL Cy Young Award by storm, this time finishing the season with a 10-10 record, 216 strikeouts, a 1.97 ERA and a 0.948 WHIP, truly insane numbers.
Heading into the offseason, everyone involved in the Pirates’ management knew that they had found a diamond in the rough, and pledged to build around him, and build around him they finally did.
The Pirates have always been known as a team with an okay-to-solid pitching rotation, but completely dead when it came to offensive weapons. In 2025, the Pirates, led by veterans Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz, finished dead last in the league in runs scored with 583; 28th in hits with 1,244; and dead last in home runs with 117, while Oneil Cruz led the team with 20, a truly lifeless offense.
In order to truly build around Paul Skenes, the Pirates had to address their offensive struggles first. The Pirate’s front office started hot. On Dec. 4, 2025, the Pirates made a deal with the Boston Red Sox, which was capitalized by sending mid-rotational right-handed pitcher Johan Oviedo to the Red Sox for young outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia.
Oviedo, a solid starting pitcher for the Buccos in 2025, finished the season with a 2-1 record, a 3.57 ERA and a 1.215 WHIP in just 40 innings pitched. Garcia, a young outfielder, never saw much professional play, but was praised for his major-league-ready talent, specifically seeking his high upside power, speed and defensive versatility.
In the same month, on Dec. 19, the Pirates were a part of a massive three-way trade with the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays, which ultimately led to the Pirates receiving the better of the deal. The Rays were willing to give the Pirates a two-time All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe, who finished the 2025 season with 31 home runs and a .256 batting average.
They also got a speedy contact hitter in Jake Mangum, who, in just 405 at-bats, hit three homers and had a .296 batting average. They also received Mason Montgomery, a left-handed relief pitcher, who had a bad stint with the Rays, but is looking to bounce back in the black and gold bullpen. Montgomery is now paired up with Gregory Soto, another solid lefty relief pitcher who the Pirates signed via free agency earlier in the month.
All the Pirates gave up in return was a solid mid-rotation right-handed pitcher in Mike Burrows who finished 2025 with a 3.94 ERA and 1.240 WHIP to the Astros, thus finishing off their last trades of the offseason.
The front office didn’t stop there as shortly after, on Jan. 8, 2026, the Pirates signed veteran Ryan O’Hearn to a two-year $29 million contract. O’Hearn had a great season as a designated hitter and first baseman with the San Diego Padres. O’Hearn hit 17 home runs, and had a .281 average in 474 at-bats and will most likely play some outfield for the Pirates this season.
About a month later, the Pirates signed veteran right-handed starting pitcher Jose Urquidy on a one year $1.5 million contract. Although Urquidy spent most of 2025 in the IR in Detroit, he has produced an ERA below a 4.00 from 2019-2022 with the Astros. And finally, on Feb. 16, the Pirates signed Marcell Ozuna to a one-year $12 million deal.
Ozuna had another solid year with the Braves last season, boasting 21 home runs and a slightly concerning .232 batting average, but hit a .302 average the year prior. This season Ozuna will most-likely play DH for the Pirates, kicking out the legendary Andrew McCutchen out of the role, who has played with the Pirates for 12 years, and has been through it all with the team.
Although it is sad that such a legendary Pirate was tossed away so abruptly, the man is 39 years old and had a .239 average last season, far from his legendary self. Although I admit I wish the Pirates had an extra spot for him because he still wants to play and he is such an icon, it’s time to move on. I just wish that he and the organization had a more mutual breakup than just abruptly replacing him.
Now headed into spring training, on paper the Pirates’ offense looks so much better. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but if Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds have a rebounding season in 2026, this team could easily have one of the most surprising offenses in the league.
Tie this offense in with the no. 1 best prospect in the league in Konnor Griffin, who is expected to make his presence elt sooner rather than later. In the minor league last season, Griffin had a .333 batting average, 21 homers and 94 RBIs. Griffin’s elite athleticism, power potential and consistency give Pittsburgh a dynamic young piece for the future.
On the pitching side of things, Skenes will be the ace no doubt, heck, even the face of the franchise, followed by veteran Mitch Keller at no. 2. I could see young stars such as Bubba Chandler and Braxton Ashcraft fitting into the rotation nicely, as they are coming off of great rookie seasons. And in the last spot in the rotation, I have Jose Urquidy for the beginning of the season, until Jared Jones recovers fromsurgery on his throwing elbow.
Jones missed all of the 2025 season in recovery but had a great 2024 rookie season. Jones struck out 132 batters and had a 4.14 ERA with a 1.192 WHIP. Once he is healthy, I see him fitting in no. 2 or 3 in the rotation. The bullpen will be led by veteran closer Dennis Santana, who had 16 saves, a 2.18 ERA and an incredible 0.867 WHIP last season.
I expect Carmen Mlodzinski to be a threat in the bull pen as well, as he finished the season with a 3.55 ERA and a 1.303 WHIP. If Jose Urquidy doesn’t work out, I expect Mlodozinski to replace him until Jones comes back.
All of these moves and developments point to a very different Pirates team in 2026. With Paul Skenes anchoring the rotation, emerging stars like Konnor Griffin ready to make their mark, and a new offense featuring Cruz, Reynolds, O’Hearn, Lowe and Ozuna, as well as notable guys such as Nick Gonzalez, Spencer Horwitz and Jared Triolo, the Pirates finally have balance on both sides of the ball.
If they can stay consistent and healthy, Pittsburgh could go from the punching bag of the league, to a legitimate contender in the NL Central, possibly the entire conference. For the first time in years, fans have reason to believe that the Pirates aren’t just rebuilding; they’re awakening.