In recent years, the Pittsburgh Pirates haven't been fielding a very competitive team, thanks in large part to the team's lack of spending.
Bob Nutting hasn't been handing out big contracts in recent years, though something has changed this winter. Ryan O'Hearn signed a $29 million, two-year deal, and Brandon Lowe was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays.
It's been a more active winter for the Pirates than normal, and according to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Pirates are not going to stop here. Passan expects that Pirates fans will have some more moves to look forward to this offseason.
Pirates expected to make more offseason moves this winter
"The Pirates aren't done, either, and while they aren't flush enough to play in the Tucker-Bichette-Belligner sandbox," Passan writes, "They're approaching a $100 million payroll for the first time."
Landing one of Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger, or Bo Bichette would be the dream, but they aren't realistic options for the Pirates this winter.
Instead, Eugenio Suarez would make sense, as could Harrison Bader, and other lower-level hitters like Marcell Ozuna, Luis Arraez, or maybe even a trade for someone like Alec Bohm.
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While the Pirates aren't going to be big spenders this winter, compared to years prior, this is a significant update that hints at more moves on the horizon for the Pirates.
Nutting still needs to continue spending, but for now, this trend, with the additions of O'Hearn, Lowe, Mason Monteomgery, Jhostynxon Garcia, and Gregory Soto are a good beginning to the team's offseason.
One of Suarez or Bohm would make the most sense, amid the team's interest in a third baseman. They lost Kazuma Okamoto to the Toronto Blue Jays, and could pivot to one of these two third basemen for the 2026 season.
But, regardless of what the Pirates end up doing, Passan's report that the Pirates aren't done adding to this team is some very welcome news for Pirates fans who've been clamoring for Nutting to spend money on free agents.
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