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PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates entered the 2026 season with renewed optimism after one of their most active offseasons in recent memory. The front office, led by general manager Ben Cherington, made several bold moves that ultimately paid off with an 82-80 record and the franchise's first winning campaign since 2018. It also marked the first winning season under Cherington, who took over before the 2020 season and now has his sights set on postseason contention in 2027.
While not every decision yielded positive results, the offseason represented a significant departure from the team's typically conservative approach and followed a disappointing winter before 2025.
Key Analysis
The Pirates' most impactful move came via a three-team trade with the Tampa Bay Rays and Houston Astros. Pittsburgh acquired second baseman Brandon Lowe, outfielder Jake Mangum, and left-handed reliever Mason Montgomery, while sending right-hander Mike Burrows to Houston. The Rays received outfielder Jacob Melton and right-hander Anderson Brito. Lowe delivered a stellar season, slashing .260/.331/.493 with 35 home runs and 96 RBI over 150 games. His 35 homers led the Pirates and were the most by a Pittsburgh second baseman since Josh Bell in 2019. Lowe also topped all big-league second basemen in slugging percentage and OPS, and his defensive improvement earned him a National League Gold Glove finalist nod. Mangum provided crucial depth, hitting .276/.331/.363 with 23 stolen bases in 133 games, including a two-month stint as the starting center fielder after Oneil Cruz fractured his left hand. Montgomery emerged as a shutdown closer, allowing just one run over the final two months and converting 17 of 18 save opportunities. Burrows struggled for Houston with a 5.99 ERA in 17 starts and missed most of the final three months due to right elbow neuritis. Melton and Brito both dealt with injuries and saw limited action. The Pirates clearly won the deal, though the Rays still captured the American League pennant. Trade grade: A.
In another significant move, Pittsburgh sent right-hander Johan Oviedo, left-handed prospect Tyler Samaniego, and catcher Adonys Guzman to the Boston Red Sox for outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia and right-hander Jesus Travieso. Neither primary player excelled: Garcia batted .167/.200/.188 with no home runs in 20 games for Pittsburgh, while Oviedo pitched just one game before a right elbow strain ended his season. Samaniego was the standout, posting a 2.66 ERA in 20 relief outings for Boston. Garcia, expected to provide right-handed power and defense, was supplanted by rookie Esmerlyn Valdez, who hit 17 home runs. Garcia still has time to develop, but the Pirates need more production at the plate in 2027. Trade grade: D.
The Pirates also swapped right-handed reliever Kyle Nicolas to the Cincinnati Reds for utility infielder Tyler Callihan. Callihan joined the club after shortstop Konnor Griffin's injury in late May and spent two months in the majors, hitting .211/.283/.389 with two home runs in 40 games. His best moment came on June 10 against the Los Angeles Dodgers at PNC Park, when he hit two homers, including a three-run shot in the eighth inning that erased a 6-1 deficit and propelled the Pirates to a 9-8 win. However, he struggled thereafter and finished the season at Triple-A Indianapolis. Nicolas posted an 8.59 ERA in seven outings for Cincinnati before being designated for assignment and traded to the Baltimore Orioles on June 4; he was later DFA'd again and traded to the Washington Nationals on July 1, never pitching in the majors again that season. Pittsburgh won the trade, but Callihan's impact was modest. Trade grade: C.
In free agency, the Pirates made their biggest splash in years by signing first baseman/outfielder Ryan O'Hearn to a two-year, $29 million contract—their first multi-year free agent signing since Iván Nova in 2016 and the first multi-year deal for a position player since John Jaso in 2015. O'Hearn began the season in right field but later shifted to first base and DH. He was excellent in the first half, slashing .288/.351/.487 with 16 home runs and 63 RBI in 82 games, including a historic three-homer, 10-RBI performance against the Atlanta Braves on July 7—becoming the first Pirate and 11th player in MLB history to drive in 10 runs in a game. However, a second quad injury limited him to 28 games in the second half, where he hit .198/.268/.297. Despite the disappointing finish, the signing was a rare aggressive move for Pittsburgh and should pay off with O'Hearn focusing more on hitting in 2027. Grade: B.
To bolster the bullpen, the Pirates signed left-hander Gregory Soto to a one-year, $7.75 million deal. A two-time All-Star with closing experience, Soto was expected to provide a high-leverage option. However, the bullpen's overall struggles forced him into the closer role, where he had mixed results. Soto blew a few leads in crucial moments but was also dominant for stretches, posting a 1.95 ERA through May, a 1.74 ERA in July, and a 1.32 ERA in August. His June (13.50 ERA) and September (6.75 ERA) skewed perceptions, but he finished with a 3.63 ERA over 67 innings, 79 strikeouts, and a .199 batting average against. The Pirates may need another left-handed high-leverage arm for 2027, and Soto could be a candidate to return. Grade: B-.