The Pirates took a step back in 2025 and fired manager Derek Shelton early in the season. He was replaced by his bench coach, Don Kellywhich will take over in the shelter until 2026 and beyond. General manager Ben Cherington’s career status has sparked much speculation, but he will also be back for 2026. Can the Pirates finally turn things around?
Guaranteed contracts
Total commitments for 2026: $30.5 million
Total long-term commitments: $130.5 million through 2030
Option decisions
Arbitration-eligible players (service time in parentheses; salary projections via MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz)
Free agents
The Pirates have garnered increasing praise for their excellent core of young pitchers, headlined by the likely NL Cy Young winner. Paul Skenesbut the team’s bat collection is miles away from its impressive stable of weapons. The anemic offense once again proved to be Pittsburgh’s downfall in 2025. The Pirates scored just 583 runs — last in the majors and nearly 300 fewer than the Yankees’ MLB-leading mark of 849. Pittsburgh hitters connected on just 117 home runs — or 31 long balls behind the 29th-ranked Cardinals. The Pirates’ roster ranked 28th in batting average, 23rd in OBP and dead last in slugging percentage.
Addressing such a widespread offensive deficit is no easy task. Cherington’s job security was the source of much speculation at the end of the year. He’ll be back in 2026, but with Shelton out the door and owner Bob Nutting calling for “urgency” — a rich statement from an owner who hasn’t signed a free agent to a multi-year deal in a decade — there’s growing pressure for Pittsburgh’s sixth-year general manager to bolster the roster to support a strong pitching staff.
Even after finishing in last place, the Pirates seem far more likely to add to the list than subtract. That’s not to say there won’t be veteran Buccos available via trade — there most likely will be — but these trades will be aimed at acquiring young, MLB-ready hitters who can augment a roster that sorely needs an overhaul. Let’s review the list and some possibilities.
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