Too Late? Pirates Finally Showing Urgency But Is Damage Already Done?
The good news is that the Pittsburgh Pirates are finally trying to be aggressive and are showing some refreshing urgency this offseason. The bad news is that they have virtually nothing to show for it 10 days until Christmas.
The Pirates took a big swing — their biggest ever in fact — in an attempt to land slugger Kyle Schwarber. Pittsburgh offered the 2025 National League MVP runner-up by far the largest contract in franchise history. But Schwarber returned to the Philadelphia Phillies for five years and $150 million.
The Pirates were also in the mix to land infielder Jorge Polanco, who landed with the New York Mets for two years and $20 million per season — more than he was expected to sign for at the onset of free agency.
The only free agent the Pirates have come to terms with so far is left-handed relief pitcher Gregory Soto for one year and $7.75 million. The only bat they’ve added, even though they need serious lineup upgrades, is Jhostynxon García — an unproven outfielder with upside.
In one sense, it’s good to see the Pirates trying to make impact roster additions more than they have since, well, ever. And there is still plenty of time left in the offseason.
But given that virtually all of their efforts have come up short and seeing some of the contracts certain free agents have signed for this offseason, there’s an obvious question to be asked.
Is it too late?
The Pirates aren’t going to win a bidding war against most teams in the league. The advantage the Pirates could have is targeting players who want to play in Pittsburgh. But given their continual losing for much of the last 30-plus years and seven straight losing seasons, who would choose to play for the Pirates over another team if everything else is equal?
With a few exceptions, the only players who would willingly choose to sign with the Pirates in free agency are the ones we’ve seen the last couple years. Those coming off down seasons looking to re-establish their value or aging veterans looking for another shot.
The Pirates seem like they’re finally trying to win. But where was this two years ago when the team improved from 62 wins in 2022 to 76 wins in 2023? Or where was this last offseason when it was clear they had a generational talent in Paul Skenes but didn’t improve upon the 76 wins they had the season before?
They could’ve chose to spend at any point, but instead they waited until they cleared enough payroll at the trade deadline this past season to make a real effort.
Pittsburgh’s lineup is perhaps only marginally better than it was at the end of the season, and that’s only if García lives up to his potential as a power threat.
The Pirates have their sights on some legitimate targets on the free agent market this offseason, but the better the player the more competition there will be to land him.
If the Pirates continue to strike out in free agency, they are going to have to be comfortable parting with young assets in trades. And if that’s the case, they’ll have nobody to blame but themselves.
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