Pirates Plan $30-40MM Offseason Investment
The Pittsburgh Pirates are preparing for a significant offseason investment aimed at enhancing their offensive capabilities. General manager Ben Cherington recently revealed that the team possesses greater financial flexibility than in any previous offseason since he took over in 2020. This increased capacity could lead to multiple acquisitions from the mid-tier free-agent market.
Offseason Financial Plans
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Pirates plan to allocate between $30 million and $40 million to their 2026 payroll. This commitment represents a substantial increase compared to previous seasons, where the team spent just over $30 million ahead of the 2023 and 2024 campaigns and dropped to roughly $20 million last winter.
Recent Free Agent Trends
The Pirates haven’t engaged in multi-year free agent contracts for nearly ten years. The only exception is the $10.5 million signing of Aroldis Chapman in the 2023-2024 offseason. In addition, Pittsburgh offloaded the remaining four years and $36 million of Ke’Bryan Hayes’ contract in a trade with Cincinnati. The recent trade of David Bednar to the Yankees also helped alleviate payroll, with an arbitration salary projected at $9 million.
Current Payroll Commitments
- Pittsburgh has $30.5 million committed to pitchers Mitch Keller and Bryan Reynolds for the upcoming season.
- They are expected to allocate between $12 million and $15 million for their arbitration class.
- Last season, the team opened with a player payroll of approximately $88 million.
Given these figures, an additional investment of $30 million to $40 million aligns with the Pirates’ goal of bolstering their roster without exceeding last season’s payroll significantly.
Strategic Considerations for Free Agency
The Pirates’ strategy in pursuing free agents may hinge on their willingness to offer multi-year contracts. Cherington noted in August that the franchise has made offers in the past, but none have been accepted. They have not signed a player who rejected a qualifying offer since Francisco Liriano in 2014.
Potential targets include:
- Gleyber Torres
- Trent Grisham
While these players could fit the team’s needs, it remains uncertain whether the Pirates will break their longstanding trends.
Other Potential Acquisitions
Several free agents could be ideal fits, including:
- Ha-Seong Kim
- Luis Arraez
- Ryan O’Hearn
- Harrison Bader
Additionally, players like Mike Yastrzemski, Cedric Mullins, and Max Kepler may negotiate one-year contracts that align with the Pirates’ historical spending patterns.
Trade Opportunities
The Pirates might also leverage their strong starting pitching on the trade market. Trading Keller could clear an additional $16.5 million and potentially bring back a promising player. Other players, such as Mike Burrows or Thomas Harrington, could be swapped for young hitters.
With various positions needing reinforcement, the Pirates are eyeing multiple targets to revamp their lineup. Spencer Horwitz is set to dominate first-base duties, while Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds secure outfield positions. Top prospect Konnor Griffin is anticipated to be a long-term solution at shortstop.
As the offseason approaches, the Pittsburgh Pirates are poised to make impactful changes aimed at improving their offensive output and securing a brighter future.
