The Pirates reportedly made competitive offers to first baseman Josh Naylor and restricted hitter/outfielder Kyle Schwarber before ultimately returning to the Mariners and Phillies, respectively. Second baseman Brandon Lowe and outfielder Jake Mangum were acquired as part of a three-team trade involving the Rays and Astros, netting a respectable power bat and a potential leadoff man.
It’s possible the Pirates aren’t done yet. According to Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-GazettePirates general manager Ben Cherington said they are looking to add another proven bat in addition to Lowe this season.
The Pittsburgh Pirates offseason shopping isn’t over yet
Lowe and Mangum are a good start as the Pirates look to revamp a completed lineup last in the main class with 583 runs scored and 117 home runs. Lowe posted a solid .256/.307/.477 batting line with 31 home runs and 19 doubles over his 553 plate appearances. Mangum could be the answer atop the Pirates lineup after posting a .296/.330/.368 batting line in his 428 plate appearances, hitting 18 doubles while stealing 28 bases.
The Pirates should also see improvement in some of their in-house options. Outfielder Oneil Cruz led the National League with 38 steals, but also posted a career-worst .676 OPS. Fellow outfielder Bryan Reynolds also struggled, as his 16 home runs tied for his fewest in a non-pandemic season and his .720 OPS was his lowest mark since 2020. Infielder Spencer Horwitz was the only regular Pirates player to post an OPS+ above 100 (league average) in 2025 – that shouldn’t be the case next year.
But even with the expected improvements and the additions of Lowe and Mangum, it might not be enough to compete in the NL Central. With a rotation led by Paul Skenes, adding another impact bat could be enough to make the Pirates contenders.
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