Pirates Named Winners of the Offseason

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have made big changes in how they approach their offseason and its shown in the moves they've made.

The Pirates have made strong additions this winter, especially with their lineup, which needed great improvements after an awful 2025 campaign.

Pittsburgh made their first multi-year signing since 2016 in Ryan O'Hearn for two years, $29 million, also making him the first multi-year position player free agent signing since 2015.

The Pirates also swung big trades for a five players, with the most important ones in second baseman Brandon Lowe, who hit 31 home runs in 2025, from the Tampa Bay Rays and top 100 prospect in outfielder Jhostynxon García, a power bat for the future, from the Boston Red Sox.

Moves like these haven't just reinvigorated the fan base, they've impressed national media and insiders as well.

MLB Insider Praises Pirates' Offseason Moves

Jeff Passan of ESPN named the Pirates amongst his winners of the offseason in an article on Jan.1 4

Passan originally reported back on Nov. 18 that the Pirates were looking to spend and that they were targeting high-profile free agents.

While the Pirates missed out on a few of those, such as Kyle Schwarber and Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto, they did make strong additions that Passan liked.

He also liked them adding left-handed pitchers in Mason Montgomery from the trade with the Rays and signing free agent Gregory Soto on a one-year, $7.75 million deal.