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The Pittsburgh Pirates are gearing up for a pivotal offseason, with arbitration decisions looming that will shape their roster moves. Ten players are eligible for arbitration, including two in their second year of eligibility—center fielder Oneil Cruz and right-handed reliever Yohan Ramírez—and eight first-year eligible players.
Among the first-year eligible group are right-handed pitchers Jared Jones, Paul Skenes, and Carmen Mlodzinski; catchers Henry Davis and Endy Rodríguez; and infielders Nick Gonzales, Spencer Horwitz, and Jared Triolo. The Pirates are expected to tender contracts to all of them for the 2027 season, but their value to the team varies.
Must-Sign Players
Three players are no-brainers for new contracts: Skenes, Jones, and Cruz. Skenes, despite a down year by his standards with a 3.82 ERA, still ranked among the league's best. He was one of 11 pitchers to record 200 strikeouts and finished in the top 20 with a 1.12 WHIP and a .227 batting average against. His projected $7.2 million salary is near the record $7.25 million Dallas Keuchel earned in his first arbitration year, a testament to Skenes' Rookie of the Year and Cy Young campaigns in 2024 and 2025.
Jones, who missed all of 2025 due to internal brace surgery, is projected to earn just over $2 million. He returned in late May and, after some ups and downs, earned NL Pitcher of the Month for September, showcasing his potential for 2027.
Cruz also missed significant time, sitting out 61 games from mid-June to mid-August with a fractured left hand. Nevertheless, he joined the 20-30 club (20 home runs, 30 stolen bases), excelled upon his return, and resolved his struggles against left-handed pitching. His projected $6.3 million salary is $3 million more than last season, but his performance when healthy makes him a key piece for a postseason push.
Keepers with Roles
Four players fall into the category of important role players: Mlodzinski, Ramírez, Gonzales, and Horwitz. Mlodzinski, who struggled in 2025 but improved in 2026, found success in the bullpen after Jones returned. He will likely remain a reliever, provided he embraces the role.
Ramírez had a career year in 2026, going 7-4 with a 2.86 ERA in 66 appearances, striking out 102 and walking 44 over 85 innings, while holding opponents to a .188 average and a 1.19 WHIP. He proved invaluable in various bullpen roles.
Gonzales had his best offensive season, batting .303/.367/.388 with a .755 OPS, finishing sixth in MLB in batting average. However, his defense at third base was the worst in the league, leaving his defensive future uncertain.
Horwitz started 2026 on fire, hitting .280/.386/.455 with a .841 OPS, 10 home runs, and a 40-40 walk-to-strikeout ratio. But a hamstring injury and a concussion during his rehab limited him to 32 games missed, and upon returning in early August, he slumped to .180/.263/.201 with a .464 OPS. The Pirates need him to regain his early-season form at first base.
Prove-It Players
Three players have shown flashes but must prove they belong beyond 2027: Davis, Rodríguez, and Triolo. Davis remained strong defensively, ranking sixth among catchers with at least 700 innings in defensive runs saved (+8) and fielding runs above average (11.4 Def). Yet his offense was dismal—.172/.272/.313 with a .585 OPS—and he must improve to justify his roster spot.
Rodríguez, conversely, was excellent at the plate in 2026, posting a .267/.373/.467 line with a .840 OPS, the best of his career. His challenge is staying on the field: he missed 15 games in July with a left glute strain and then had his season cut short by left hip labrum surgery, delaying his return to baseball activities until March-May 2027. Over the past three seasons, he has played only 63 games combined, and if he can't stay healthy, the Pirates may face a difficult decision.
Triolo excels defensively at all four infield positions, making him a valuable utility player. His glove could place him in a higher tier, but his bat lagged in 2026, with a .238/.307/.302 line and a .609 OPS. While he may never be a top hitter, a .700 OPS is a reasonable target given his power potential.