The Pittsburgh Pirates enter 2026 with a familiar narrative: a top tier pitching rotation looking to carry a revamped lineup toward a playoff berth. The Pirates took a different approach this winter and made specific moves in hopes they can compete in a tough NL Central. Pittsburgh acquired Brandon Lowe from the Rays in a three-team trade in hopes he can provide significant power to the middle infield.
The signings of Ryan O’Hearn (2 years, $29million) and Marcell Ozuna (1 year, $12million) are expected to add protection to lineup mainstays Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz in hopes of creating a more balanced offensive attack. After a 2025 season, which saw them finish well under .500, the organization has made deliberate moves to address their biggest weakness – offense- in hopes of finally breaking their decade long postseason drought.
Lineup
The front office prioritized power this winter, injecting the lineup with proven veterans who should collectively raise the team’s offensive floor. Lowe and Ozuna provide immediate middle-of-the-order power; with Lowe bringing a history of consistent power at second base, while Ozuna slots in as the primary designated hitter, a role he is expected to fill full-time. O’Hearn joins the mix as a versatile asset as he can play either 1B or fill in at a corner outfield spot and will bring a much-needed left-handed power bat that the organization has lacked. Cruz and Reynolds remain the two core pieces of the teams and will continue to be relied upon for their stability and production.
Rotation
The Pirates’ rotation is anchored by one of the most exciting young aces in baseball, supported by a mix of veteran presence, and promising, high-upside youth. While the top of the rotation is solidified, the team is also exploring unconventional, creative usage strategies to protect their young arms. Paul Skenes is coming off a 2025 campaign that earned him the NL Cy Young Award and will look to continue to establish himself as the premier pitcher in MLB. Mitch Keller will fill in the #2 spot behind Skenes and provides durability and experience necessary to act as a stabilized force in the rotation. Jose Urquidy is the veteran right hander who was brought in to provide depth, but is coming off Tommy John surgery so there are some questions here. Bubba Chandler and Braxton Ashcraft are two young starters that have impressed through spring training and are expected to be locked into the backend of the rotation as the Pirates hope they can build upon their 2025 performances.
Bullpen
The bullpen enters the season with more defined roles and experience than in recent years. The Pirates prioritized veteran arms to manage high-leverage situations alongside promising young arms. Dennis Santana has stepped into the closer role following a standout 2025 season as his emergence as a reliable late-game option has been a significant boost to the team’s pitching stability. Gregory Soto, the southpaw, was brought in for his ability to generate strikeouts in late-inning situations, though he has a tendency to be volatile at times. Justin Lawrence returns as a unique, sidewinding right-handed option as his arm angle remains an invaluable tool for neutralizing right-handed hitters and providing a different look for opposing lineups. Carmen Mlodzinski continues to be a versatile asset who can handle middle-inning transitions or take on heavier workloads as needed.
Projected Lineup
- Oneil Cruz – CF
- Brandon Lowe – 2B
- Bryan Reynolds – LF
- Ryan O’Hearn – RF
- Marcell Ozuna – DH
- Spencer Horwitz – 1B
- Nick Gonzales – SS
- Jared Triolo – 3B
- Joey Bart – C
Projected Rotation
- Paul Skenes
- Mitch Keller
- Jose Urquidy
- Bubba Chandler
- Braxton Ashcraft
Projected Bullpen
Dennis Santana – Closer
Gregory Soto – Setup
Justin Lawrence
Carmen Mlodzinski
Isaac Mattson
Mason Montgomery
Manager: Don Kelly (2nd season)
Projection: 80-82 (3rd in the NL Central)
Written By: Brian Finnigan
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