How Pirates Could Surprise MLB at Winter Meetings

The Pirates also had a great pitching staf, as they allowed the third least home runs allowed (153), posted fourth lowest WHIP (1.22), the seventh lowest team ERA (3.76), the seventh least walks (473) and the eighth lowest opposing batting average (.236).

Pittsburgh also led the MLB in shutouts with 19, two more than both the two second place teams in the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies, who had 17.

The Pirates' main struggles came from the plate, as they were one of the worst hitting teams in 2025, posting the lowest slugging percentage (.350) and OPS (.655), the third lowest batting average (.231) and the eighth lowest on-base percentage (.305).

Pittsburgh also scored the least runs (583) and drove in the least RBIs (561), both lower than the 43-119 Colorado Rockies. They also hit the least home runs (117), 31 home runs less than then second-lowest team in the St. Louis Cardinals at 148 home runs, and had the seventh most strikeouts (1,422).

The Pirates have Skenes for four more seasons of club control, but along with a solid pitching rotation containing the likes of Mitch Keller, plus rookies in Braxton Ashcraft, Hunter Barco, Mike Burrows and Bubba Chandler, which gives them impetus to add offense.

Will the Pirates Actually Do Something During Winter Meetings?

The Pirates aren't historically a team that spends much in free agency or really makes big moves overall.

The Pirates haven't signed a free agent to a multi-year deal since starting pitcher Iván Nova on Dec. 27, 2016 for three years, $26 million. Their last position player they signed was outfielder John Jaso for two years, $8 million on Dec. 23, 2015.

Pittsburgh's biggest free agent signing is bringing back Francisco Liriano for three years, $39 million on Dec. 9, 2014.

The Pirates have also ranked low in payroll under owner Bob Nutting, with their Opening Day payroll in the bottom five MLB teams, 16 of the 19 seasons in his tenure.

Still, the Pirates have had links with numerous free agents and players they could land in trades that this offseason looks like the one they finally make an effort and go after those bats.

The Pirates have reportedly shown interest or contacted free agents likNational League MVP finalistKyle Schwarber, who hit 56 home runs last season, and catcher J.T. Realmuto of the Phialdelphia Philllies, Seattle Mariners second baseman Jorge Polanco, San Diego Padres designated hitter Ryan O'Hearn and Japanese superstars Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto.

Pittsburgh is also looking at left-handed batters via trade, including with the  Cardinals, featuring the likes of Alec Burleson, Brendan Donovan, Lars Nootbaar and Nolan Gorman.

The Pirates also have trade interest in left-handed second baseman, Brandon Lowe of the Tampa Bay Rays and Jeff McNeil of the New York Mets also targets, while Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos is another trade target.

Pittsburgh made their first real move of the offseason on Dec. 4, trading right-handed starting pitcher Johan Oviedo and two prospects to the Boston Red Sox for top 100 outfielder prospect Jhostynxon Garcia and right-handed pitcher Jesus Travieso.

With those recent reports and the confidence from MLB insiders, it looks like the Pirates will actually make more moves this offseason and ones that should bolster a lineup in desperate need of better bats.