How the Pirates Can Overcome Their Long NL Central Odds

To nobody’s surprise, the Pittsburgh Pirates lost the Juan Soto sweepstakes, as the New York Mets offered the star left fielder a 15-year, $765 million contract.

To put that contract in perspective, the Pirates haven’t spent that amount of money on their entire payroll in the past decade. That spendthrift philosophy shows in the current NL Central odds. FanDuel has the Bucs at +850—the longest odds of the five teams.

MLB economics are what they are. The fan base and local baseball media have spent a better part of the decade after the Pirates’ last renaissance gnashing their teeth as ownership and management have failed to field a competitive team.

Yet, the Pirates have Paul Skenes, arguably the best starting pitcher in the league. Can the Pirates climb the NL Central ladder in 2025?

Keep Up With the Jones’

The Pirates swung a trade yesterday, sending RHP Luis Ortiz, LHP Michael Kennedy, and LHP Josh Hartle to the Cleveland Guardians for 27-year-old first baseman Spencer Horwitz.

Horwitz has some upside. In 97 games with the Toronto Blue Jays during the 2024 season, Spencer hit .265 with 12 home runs and 40 RBI. He’s also under control until 2029, so Horwitz has time to develop as an everyday player in Pittsburgh.

The Horwitz trade improves the Pirates’ opening-day lineup, but by how much compared to the other NL Central teams?

Henry Davis Must Reach His Pedigree

The Pirates drafted C Henry Davis as the first overall pick in 2021. So far, he hasn’t found his stroke at the big-league level, hitting .191 with a .590 OPS in 99 games.

That offensive output isn’t nearly enough. Considering the Pirates’ economic situation, the team needs a first-overall pick like Davis to pan out.

Davis is 25 years old. The Pirates desperately need a flash of power from his bat to improve their 2024 offensive output of 4.10 runs and .99 home runs per game.

Cruz Must Become a Star

Willie Stargell’s 1973 season was the last time a Pittsburgh Pirate hit 40 or more home runs in a season. Josh Bell was the last to eclipse 30, hitting 37 in 2019.

Pirates CF Oneil Cruz smacked 21 dingers in 2024, a respectable number. But the Bucs need Cruz to become a star in 2025.

Cruz has all the physical attributes. He’s long, fast, has a cannon of an arm, and his power looks scary when he connects. He needs to connect more if the Pirates are to make a push for the NL Central in 2025.

NL Central Odds Have the Bucs as Bottom Feeders

The 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates were 55-53 after 108 games. We all know what happened in the season’s final two months, and that skid is why NL Central betting odds have the Pirates once again at the bottom of the division.

Paul Skenes, the rookie Cy Young finalist, offers some hope for the beleaguered franchise. Unfortunately, the free-agent market doesn’t. There’s no signing the Bucs can make to fix their lineup. Players already on the roster will have to step up.