2025-26 MLB Offseason Recap: Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates swung for hitting help over the winter, bringing in multiple former All-Stars in an attempt to break through in 2026. Those fresh faes will look to supply Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, and company with run support in what will be a critical season for the Bucs.

Additions

After the Pirates finished in the bottom third of the league in a multitude of offensive categories last season, fixing the offense was an offseason priority.

The marquee addition from this past winter was Brandon Lowe, a 2025 AL All-Star who hit for a lot of power with Tampa over his career with the Rays. Lowe figures to be a nice fit for the Pirates, despite being a likely one-year rental for the team. He’s a pull-heavy hitter who could take advantage of right field in PNC Park, and, most importantly, be a run producer for a team that didn’t have enough of that last season.

But Lowe wasn’t the only notable position player grab. The Pirates picked up a second 2025 All-Star hitter, in former Orioles and Padre Ryan O’Hearn. O’Hearn, like Lowe, is a power hitter but is also adaptable, doesn’t have that long of a stroke, and will adjust when need be on two-strike accounts, more so on pitches on the outer half.

Additionally, the Pirates signed former Brave Marcell Ozuna on a one-year deal. Ozuna is coming off an injury-hampered 2025 season that didn’t cost him a lot of time as Atlanta’s primary DH. However, Ozuna didn’t have as much power as we’ve seen over the years.

Pittsburgh also brought in relief help, adding hard-throwing left-handed reliever Mason Montgomery in the same deal for Brandon Lowe. Montgomery matches up well against left-handed hitters, and he wasn’t the only notable bullpen add, either. Gregory Soto, a versatile reliever, joined on a free-agent deal.

A trio of young outfielders, Tyler Callihan, Jake Mangum, & Jhostynxon Garcia, all joined the team in separate trades.

Losses

The Pirates moved on from Andrew McCutchen again, as the team opted not to re-sign him and replaced the franchise icon with Marcell Ozuna.

McCutchen didn’t have a bad 2025 season, as he was still able to work his way on base regularly. However, the focus this winter was heavily on trying to add power, which the Pirates hope Ozuna can provide more of in 2026, whether it be through doubles or home runs.

He signed with the Rangers during 2026 Spring Training.

Pittsburgh also traded away some of its pitching depth.

Johan Oviedo, who pitched well upon his return from injury last season, was shipped to Boston to bring in younger players. Mike Burrows was traded to Houston in the three-way December trade that netted the Pirates Mangum, Montgomery, and Lowe.

Overview

This is a monumental season for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Armed with a young, talented, and team-friendly rotation as far as cost is concerned, this season will be a test to see if this group can take the big step forward and end the Pirates’ postseason drought.

It won’t be easy, as the NL Central features three teams (Brewers, Cubs, Reds) that made the playoffs last year. But unlike in 2025, the Pirates shouldn’t have to solely rely on Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz.

There are new faces around who should be able to provide support in the lineup for those two, plus Spencer Horwitz, who hit very well after coming back from injury last year.

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