Pirates looking to make another significant addition

The Pittsburgh Pirates have made their lineup a priority this offseason.

The Pirates had reportedly made competitive offers to first baseman Josh Naylor and designated hitter/outfielder Kyle Schwarber before they ultimately returned to the Mariners and Phillies, respectively. Second baseman Brandon Lowe and outfielder Jake Mangum were acquired as part of a three-team trade involving the Rays and Astros, bringing in a respectable power bat and a potential leadoff man.

The Pirates may not be done. According to Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said that they are looking to add another proven bat aside from Lowe this offseason. 

Pittsburgh Pirates' offseason shopping not over

Lowe and Mangum are a good start as the Pirates look to revamp a lineup that finished last in the majors with 583 runs scored and 117 home runs. Lowe posted a solid .256/.307/.477 batting line with 31 homers and 19 doubles over his 553 plate appearances. Mangum could be the answer atop the Pirates lineup, having posted a .296/.330/.368 batting line in his 428 plate appearances, hitting 18 doubles while stealing 28 bases.

The Pirates should also see improvement from several of their internal options. Outfielder Oneil Cruz led the National League with 38 steals but also posted a career-worst .676 OPS. Fellow outfielder Bryan Reynolds also struggled as his 16 homers were tied for his fewest in a non-pandemic season and his .720 OPS was his lowest mark since 2020. Infielder Spencer Horwitz was the only Pirates regular to post an OPS+ over 100 (league average) in 2025 - that should not be the case next year.

However, even with those expected improvements and the additions of Lowe and Mangum may not be enough to contend in the NL Central. With a rotation fronted by Paul Skenes, adding another impact bat could be enough to make the Pirates contenders.