This will be a fascinating offseason for the Pirates. Their top home run hitter from 2026 is now a free agent, and Paul Skenes is arbitration-eligible for the first time after a down campaign. With all of that stated, what would make sense for the Pirates this winter?

Biggest needs for Pirates

Last winter, the Pirates made improving the offense an obvious priority. That resulted in the additions of Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn, plus Marcell Ozuna.

The Ozuna pickup didn’t work out. A year removed from dealing with hip problems, Ozuna was one of baseball’s least productive hitters and was DFA’d in August. Lowe did work out, as he finished with the most home runs (35) and extra-base hits (65) among second basemen. O’Hearn only played 110 games but did hit 18 home runs in a productive year.

O’Hearn will be back for 2027. Lowe, though, is a free agent and has the chance to cash in after two 30+ home run campaigns. That does leave a hole in the Pirates’ lineup.

Pittsburgh does have internal options, including former first-round pick Termarr Johnson. Johnson’s been regarded for years as having one of the best eyes in the Minors, and has always been profiled as a future leadoff hitter. However, he slashed just .199/.336/.319 in Triple-A this season.

That’s the one real hole in the Pirates’ infield, which will return not just O’Hearn but also soon-to-be second-year infielder Konnor Griffin, plus Nick Gonzales. Gonzales had a career year, as his .367 on-base percentage ranked in the top 25 of the Majors last year.

As for the pitching staff, the Pirates should be fine overall. The club has many internal options to fill out the back half of the rotation. An extra reliever who could pair with Mason Montgomery and Yohan Ramirez, both of whom had career years, plus Luke Weaver makes sense.

Gregory Soto, who signed with the club last winter and pitched well overall in 69 total appearances, is a free agent again.

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