If you’ve spent any time at PNC Park lately, you know the vibe. It’s usually a mix of "the view is nice" and "maybe we’ll be good in three years." But honestly, the latest batch of Pittsburgh Pirates news and rumors suggests the "three years" timeline just got tossed in the Allegheny.
Ben Cherington is actually spending money. Real, multi-year-contract money.
The Ryan O’Hearn Splash and What It Actually Means
For the first time since Ivan Nova was a thing back in 2016, the Pirates signed a free agent to a multi-year deal. Ryan O’Hearn is officially a Pirate. It’s a two-year, $29 million guarantee. That might not sound like Shohei Ohtani money, but for this front office? It’s a massive shift in philosophy.
O’Hearn is coming off back-to-back All-Star seasons where he basically reinvented himself after leaving Kansas City. He hits the ball hard. He doesn’t strike out much. Most importantly, he gives some actual protection to Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz in a lineup that, frankly, looked like a Triple-A squad at times last year.
The coolest part? O’Hearn actually wanted to be here. He mentioned in his press conference that he did his own "digging" on the roster. He saw Paul Skenes. He saw Bubba Chandler. He realized this team is a bat or two away from actually being annoying in the NL Central.
The Trade Market: Who is Leaving and Who is Staying?
Rumors are flying about who’s next. While the O'Hearn signing is the headline, the Pirates have been busy shuffling the deck. Just this week, they traded reliever Chase Shugart to the Phillies for Francisco Loreto, a teenage infielder with some pull-side power. It’s a classic Cherington move—flipping a 29-year-old arm for a high-ceiling kid—but it shows they aren't done tinkering.
✨ Don't miss: Top 5 Wide Receivers in NFL: What Most People Get Wrong
Then there’s the Eugenio Suárez talk. MLB Network's Adnan Virk recently floated Suárez as the perfect fit for Pittsburgh. It makes sense on paper. The Pirates were dead last in home runs in 2025. Suárez hits bombs. Even if it's "wishful thinking" as Virk put it, the fact that national pundits are even linking the Pirates to $60 million veterans tells you the perception is changing.
But what about Bryan Reynolds?
Here is where things get sticky. Bob Nightengale reported that the Pirates might actually "listen" on everyone except Skenes and Cruz. That includes Reynolds and Ke’Bryan Hayes.
Fans are rightfully panicking. Why sign O'Hearn just to trade your best hitter? It feels counter-intuitive. However, it’s more likely the front office is just doing its due diligence. Unless someone offers a kingsom for Reynolds, he's staying put to anchor that outfield.
The Pitching Revolution: Skenes, Chandler, and the New Staff
We have to talk about the coaching staff because it’s basically been overhauled. Don Kelly is the manager now, and he’s surrounding himself with people who know how to develop elite arms.
- Bill Murphy: The new Pitching Coach. He comes from the Houston Astros. You know, the team that turns random waiver claims into Cy Young contenders? He’s the guy who oversaw a 3.61 team ERA in Houston.
- Thomas Whitsett: Assistant Pitching Coach, also from the Astros system.
- Kristopher Negrón: The new Bench Coach, coming over from the Seattle Mariners.
This is a clear signal. The Pirates know their window depends entirely on Paul Skenes and the young arms coming up. Skenes is already the reigning NL Cy Young winner (yeah, he’s that good). But he can’t do it alone.
🔗 Read more: Tonya Johnson: The Real Story Behind Saquon Barkley's Mom and His NFL Journey
Bubba Chandler is the name to watch. He made his debut late last year and looked electric, despite a rough first start. He’s expected to be in the rotation from Day 1 this season. If Murphy can work the same magic he did in Houston with Chandler and Hunter Barco, the Pirates might actually have the best young rotation in baseball.
Prospects Making Noise
The farm system is still top-heavy with talent. Konnor Griffin is the consensus top prospect in the game right now. He’s 19 and looks like a 30/30 threat in the making. While he might start in the minors, a 2026 debut isn't out of the question if he tears through Double-A.
Then there’s Tony Blanco Jr. He’s 6-foot-7 and weighs about 245 pounds. He won the Fall League Home Run Derby and hits balls 118 mph. If the Pirates can't find power in free agency, they might just wait for this kid to arrive and start denting cars in the parking lot.
Opening Day is Already a Big Deal
The schedule-makers are clearly buying the hype. The Pirates open the 2026 season against the New York Mets, and it’s going to be a national broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
It’s Skenes vs. Juan Soto.
💡 You might also like: Tom Brady Throwing Motion: What Most People Get Wrong
That’s the kind of matchup that usually happens in the playoffs, not on a Thursday in March. It’s a huge spotlight for a team that has spent most of the last decade in the shadows.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the Pirates this winter, here is how to navigate the noise:
- Watch the 40-man roster closely: The team has been aggressive with waiver claims (like Marco Luciano, though he was recently claimed back by Baltimore) and Rule 5 picks. Every spot matters right now.
- Monitor the Brandon Lowe fit: People forget they traded for Lowe from Tampa Bay in December. He hit 31 homers last year. Between him and O'Hearn, the Pirates have added significant left-handed power to neutralize that short porch in right field.
- Don't ignore the coaching changes: The "Astros-ification" of the pitching staff is arguably the most important move of the offseason. If the Pirates' ERA drops by half a run because of Bill Murphy's metrics, they’re a playoff team.
- Expect one more "boring" signing: They still need a veteran bridge at shortstop or a reliable middle-relief arm. Look for a one-year "prove it" deal to round out the bench.
The days of the Pirates being a "budget-only" team aren't entirely gone—they’re still the Pirates—but the O'Hearn deal proves they aren't just waiting around anymore. They have the best pitcher on the planet. They have a core of power hitters. Now, they just have to actually win.
Keep an eye on the late-January trade market. If Cherington pulls the trigger on a veteran third baseman or another starter, it’s officially time to get excited.
Next Steps for Pirates Enthusiasts:
Start tracking the Spring Training invitees list. With so many new coaching faces, the competition for the final rotation spots between Bubba Chandler, Hunter Barco, and Braxton Ashcraft will be decided in Bradenton. Monitor the localized beat reports for velocity jumps under Bill Murphy's new regime.