The Pittsburgh Pirates, once again, have a golden opportunity to compete for a playoff spot in the next few years. The Milwaukee Brewers are an impressive team, but it feels like the NL Central is a somewhat open division. If the Pirates Ownership decides to spend a bit more on team payroll in 2026, the Pirates can absolutely compete for a playoff spot as they build around their ace Paul Skenes. The Pirates' payroll hovered around $100M from 2013-15, so a budget of $125M for this plan seems reasonable over 10 years later. Below is what the offseason would look like if I was the GM of the Pittsburgh Pirates with that $125M player payroll.
Coaching Staff Changes
+Manager Don Kelly is retained
Don Kelly went 59-65 in 2025 after Derek Shelton was fired. There seemed to be a shift in attitude with the players, so he should be brought back to lead the club in 2026. Further adjustments to his coaching staff need to be made.
+Ron Washington hired as Bench Coach
Ron Washington has an incredible amount of experience in numerous positions in Major League Baseball. His managerial days are probably over, and his new responsibility will be helping the Pirates team defense. He will fit well with a relatively young Pirates coaching staff.
-Hitting Coach Matt Hague is fired
The Pirates hit .231 as a team, which was 28th in the Majors, and last in the NL. They were last on the Majors in HRs by a wide margin. To be fair, Hague was not given much to work with, but a new voice is needed to lead the Pirates' offense.
+Hitting Coach Sean Casey is hired
Sean Casey's philosophy matches up perfectly with what the Pirates need, which is a coach who preaches using the entire field and shortening up and putting the ball in play with two strikes. The Pirates must increase their Batting Average and OBP in 2026. Casey is also a former Pirate and from Pittsburgh, so he is a natural fit for the Pirates hitting coach position.
+Pitching Coach Oscar Marin is retained
The Pirates Team ERA in 2025 was 3.76, which ranked 7th in all of baseball. Marin should be retained to help this young Bucs staff build on a great 2025.
+Jake Peavy hired as Assistant Pitching Coach
When Peavy pitched from 2002 to 2016, he relied on 5 main pitches (Cutter, 4-Seam Fastball, Sinker, Curveball, and Slider) so that should help with potentially adding a pitch to the repertoires of the Pirates' pitchers. Peavy has been an analyst with MLB Network, so he has stayed involved with the game after his retirement.
-First Base Coach Tarrik Brock is fired
Brock has done nothing wrong, but hiring Michael Young (below) would bring more value to the coaching staff.
+Michael Young hired as First Base Coach & Assistant Hitting Coach
Michael Young was a career .300 hitter playing for the Texas Rangers for most of his career and had the hitting approach similar to what Sean Casey preaches now, making him a good fit to add onto the staff.
-Third Base Coach Mike Rabelo is fired
Like Brock, Mike Rabelo has done nothing wrong, but the Pirates' offense has a better chance to be more well-rounded with the hire of Napoli (below).
+Mike Napoli hired as Third Base Coach
Napoli was the first base coach for the Cubs in 2024. He is a good fit for the Pirates because he will give a power hitting perspective to go along with Casey and Young.
2026 Coaching Staff
Manager: Don Kelly
Bench Coach: Ron Washington
Hitting Coach: Sean Casey
Pitching Coach: Oscar Marin
Assistant Pitching Coach: Jake Peavy
Assistant Hitting Coach + 1st Base Coach: Michael Young
3rd Base Coach: Mike Napoli
Players to Non-Tender/DFA/Let Walk/Trade for Cash/Trade for Prospect
LF Tommy Pham (FA)
Pham had a respectable season, but with the Pirates looking for a more long-term solution in the outfield, and with McCutchen coming back as the 4th outfielder, Pham is left to be a free agent.
RP Colin Holderman (Trade)
Holderman had a brutal 7.01 ERA in 2025 in 24 games, so he will be traded for a prospect in the offseason to a team hoping for a bounce back campaign in 2026.
RP Dauri Moreta (Trade)
Moreta is out of minor league options in 2026, and with a bullpen overhaul coming, he is traded to away to make room for some new arrivals.
RP Yohan Ramirez (Trade)
Like Moreta, Ramirez is out of minor league options and will be traded for a prospect to clear a roster spot for a new bullpen arm.
OF Jack Suwinski (Trade)
Suwinski hit .147 in the Majors in 2025, and with him due for arbitration in the offseason, he is traded away for Cash or a prospect.
OF Alex Canario (Trade/DFA)
Canario is out of minor league options and hit just .218 in the majors in 87 games in 2025.
Players with Contracts to pencil in on Opening Day 40-Man Roster
26-Man MLB Roster
RF Bryan Reynolds ($14.25M salary)
CF Oneil Cruz ($3M projected salary)
RP Carmen Mlodzinski (780K salary)
SP Jared Jones ($780K salary)
C Henry Davis ($780K salary)
SP Braxton Ashcraft ($780K salary)
SP Paul Skenes ($780K salary)
SP Bubba Chandler ($780K salary)
UTL Jared Triolo ($780K salary)
SP Johan Oviedo ($1.75M projected salary)
RP Isaac Mattson ($780K salary)
SP Mike Burrows ($780K salary)
40-Man MLB Roster
CF Ji Hwan Bae
LF Will Robertson
1B Enmanuel Valdez
3B Cam Devanney
SS Tsung-Che Cheng
C Rafael Flores
RHP Michael Darrell-Hicks
LHP Evan Sisk
RHP Cam Sanders
Free Agent Signings and Extensions
OF Andrew McCutchen resigned to 1 year/$2.2M contract.
C JT Realmuto signed to 1 year/$13M contract.
1B Paul Goldschmidt signed to 1 year/$9M contract.
2B Jorge Polanco signed to 3 years/$43.5M contract.
RP Ryan Yarbrough signed to 1 year/$1.5M contract.
Trades to Make
C Joey Bart, RP Dennis Santana, 2B Termarr Johnson (PIT #6 Prospect), SS Sammy Stafura (PIT #7 Prospect), RHP Thomas Harrington (PIT #9 Prospect), 2B Nick Yorke (PIT #11 Prospect), and SS Jack Brannigan (PIT #21 Prospect) traded to the Cleveland Guardians for LF Steven Kwan and RP Hunter Gaddis, and Kwan is given a 4 year/$50M contract.
2B Nick Gonzales, C Endy Rodriguez, LHP Hunter Barco (PIT #4 Prospect), OF Edward Florentino (PIT #5 Prospect), SS Wyatt Sanford (PIT #10 Prospect), RHP Zander Mueth (PIT #13 Prospect) and 3B Yordany De Los Santos (PIT #14 Prospect) traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for 2B Ketel Marte. Ketel Marte will be the Opening Day Shortstop.
SP Mitch Keller, RP Justin Lawrence, 2B Liover Peguero, RP Chase Shugart, RHP Levi Sterling (PIT #12 Prospect), 1B Esmerlyn Valdez (PIT #15 Prospect), and PIT Competitive Balance Round A Pick traded to the Philadelphia Phillies for 3B Alec Bohm, RP Jose Alvarado, RP Orion Kerkering, SP Taijuan Walker (66.67% of $18M Retained by Philadelphia), and DH Nick Castellanos (70% of $20M Retained by Philadelphia). 3B Alec Bohm is signed to 3 year/$37.5M contract. RP Jose Alvarado has his $9M Team Option picked and is given an extension making the total $25.5M over 3 years (2026: $9M, 2027: $8.25M, 2028: $8.25M).
SP Taijuan Walker and OF Billy Cook traded to the Boston Red Sox for RHP Yordanny Monegro (BOS #27 Prospect).
RP Kyle Nicolas, 3B Jhonny Severino (PIT #22 Prospect), 3B Murf Gray (PIT#23 Prospect) traded to the Detroit Tigers for RP Tyler Holton.
Pirates New Top 10 Prospects After Trades
1. SS Konnor Griffin
2. RHP Seth Hernandez
3. RHP Bubba Chandler
4. 2B Mitch Jebb
5. C Rafael Flores
6. SS Darell Morel
7. C Edgleen Perez
8. C Omar Alfonzo
9. C Easton Carmichael
10. 1B Tony Blanco Jr.
Summary of Moves
-Tommy Pham
-Colin Holderman
-Dauri Moreta
-Yohan Ramirez
-Jack Suwinski
-Alex Canario
-Joey Bart
-Dennis Santana
-Nick Gonzales
-Mitch Keller
-Justin Lawrence
-Liover Peguero
-Chase Shugart
-Endy Rodriguez
-Termarr Johnson
-Sammy Stafura
-Thomas Harrington
-Kyle Nicolas
-Levi Sterling
-Esmerlyn Valdez
-Nick Yorke
-Jack Brannigan
-Billy Cook
-Jhonny Severino
-Murf Gray
-Hunter Barco
-Edward Florentino
-Wyatt Sanford
-Zander Mueth
-Yordanny De Los Santos
+JT Realmuto
+Paul Goldschmidt
+Jorge Polanco
+Ryan Yarbrough
+Hunter Gaddis
+Steven Kwan
+Ketel Marte
+Alec Bohm
+Tyler Holton
+Jose Alvardo
+Orion Kerkering
+Nick Castellanos
+Yordanny Monegro
Rule 5 Eligible Players/Other Internal Players to Add to 40-Man Roster
RHP Antwone Kelly
RHP Wilber Dotel
RHP Brandon Bidois
C Omar Alfonzo
C Nick Cimillo
Opening Day 40-Man Roster
| SP | Paul Skenes |
| SP | Bubba Chandler |
| SP | Braxton Ashcraft |
| SP | Jared Jones |
| SP | Johan Oviedo |
| SP | Mike Burrows |
| LR | Ryan Yarbrough |
| RP | Isaac Mattson |
| RP | Carmen Mlodzinski |
| RP | Tyler Holton |
| RP | Orion Kerkering |
| SU | Hunter Gaddis |
| CL | Jose Alvarado |
| C | JT Realmuto |
| 1B | Paul Goldschmidt |
| 2B | Jorge Polanco |
| 3B | Alec Bohm |
| SS | Ketel Marte |
| LF | Steven Kwan |
| CF | Oneil Cruz |
| RF | Bryan Reynolds |
| DH | Nick Castellanos |
| C | Henry Davis |
| UTL | Jared Triolo |
| 1B/OF | Spencer Horwitz |
| OF | Andrew McCutchen |
| M | Ji Hwan Bae |
| M | Enmanual Valdez |
| M | Michael Darrell-Hicks |
| M | Evan Sisk |
| M | Will Robertson |
| M | Cam Devanney |
| M | Cam Sanders |
| M | Tsung-Che Cheng |
| M | Rafel Flores |
| M | Antwone Kelly |
| M | Wilber Dotel |
| M | Brandon Bidois |
| M | Omar Alfonzo |
| M | Nick Cimillo |
26 Man Opening Day Roster + Salaries (in millions)
| SP | Paul Skenes | 0.78 | 124.86 |
| SP | Bubba Chandler | 0.78 | |
| SP | Braxton Ashcraft | 0.78 | |
| SP | Jared Jones | 0.78 | |
| SP | Johan Oviedo | 1.75 | |
| SP | Mike Burrows | 0.78 | |
| LR | Ryan Yarbrough | 1.5 | |
| RP | Isaac Mattson | 0.78 | |
| RP | Carmen Mlodzinski | 0.78 | |
| RP | Tyler Holton | 1.3 | |
| RP | Orion Kerkering | 0.78 | |
| SU | Hunter Gaddis | 0.78 | |
| CL | Jose Alvarado | 9 | |
| C | JT Realmuto | 13 | |
| 1B | Paul Goldschmidt | 9 | |
| 2B | Jorge Polanco | 14.5 | |
| 3B | Alec Bohm | 12.5 | |
| SS | Ketel Marte | 15 | |
| LF | Steven Kwan | 12.5 | |
| CF | Oneil Cruz | 3 | |
| RF | Bryan Reynolds | 14.25 | |
| DH | Nick Castellanos | 6 | |
| C | Henry Davis | 0.78 | |
| UTL | Jared Triolo | 0.78 | |
| 1B/OF | Spencer Horwitz | 0.78 | |
| OF | Andrew McCutchen | 2.2 | |
| M | Ji Hwan Bae | | |
| M | Enmanual Valdez | | |
| M | Michael Darrell-Hicks | | |
| M | Evan Sisk | | |
| M | Will Robertson | | |
| M | Cam Devanney | | |
| M | Cam Sanders | | |
| M | Tsung-Che Cheng | | |
| M | Rafel Flores | | |
| M | Antwone Kelly | | |
| M | Wilber Dotel | | |
| M | Brandon Bidois | | |
| M | Omar Alfonzo | | |
| M | Nick Cimillo | | |
Opening Day Lineup
1. L Steven Kwan LF
2. S Jorge Polanco 2B
3. S Ketel Marte SS
4. R Paul Goldschmidt 1B
5. S Bryan Reynolds RF
6. R JT Realmuto
7. L Oneil Cruz
8. R Nick Castellanos DH
9. R Alec Bohm 3B
SP 1st-6th Innings: R Paul Skenes
7th: R Orion Kerkering/L Tyler Holton
8th: R Hunter Gaddis
9th: L Jose Alvarado
Playoff Game 1 Lineup
1. L Steven Kwan LF
2. S Jorge Polanco 2B
3. S Ketel Marte DH
4. R Paul Goldschmidt 1B
5. S Bryan Reynolds RF
6. R JT Realmuto
7. L Oneil Cruz
8. R Alec Bohm 3B
9. R Konnor Griffin SS
SP 1st-6th Innings: R Paul Skenes
7th: R Orion Kerkering/L Tyler Holton
8th: R Hunter Gaddis
9th: L Jose Alvarado
The justification in giving up so many prospects was because the Pirates need to be very aggressive in the next few years as their contention window is right now. The young rotation will hit arbitration soon and become more expensive, meaning less money can be put into the offense. Without an improved offense, the Pirates will see a repeat of the 2025 season. Also, I could justify giving up almost all of the prospects rated 4th through 20th because the top prospects were not traded. Konnor Griffin, Seth Hernandez, and Bubba Chandler were not moved. This hurts the depth of the Pirates minor league system, but the top end is still filled with good players. The last justification for making these trades is that I do not believe a lot of the players traded will make a huge impact at the major league level. Mostly all of the trades had a large number of players being sent away and focused on quantity because of the top prospects being untouched. The Trade Market was the best way to improve this team because of the limited payroll budget. The current elite free agents would likely demand a yearly salary of $30M or more, meaning the Pirates would likely only be able to afford one of them, so players on team-friendly contracts were targeted in trades. The Pirates would be in a great spot to contend in 2026 with these trades while not destroying their future too much. If the Pirates stay conservative and not make any big trades now, they will be mediocre in 2026, and they will be mediocre in 2028 and beyond as well. I would be okay with this team having a better chance to compete in 2026-28 while potentially struggling a little more in 2029 and beyond, because I think if they stay conservative now, they will be mediocre in 2028 anyways. Doing nothing this offseason will result in mediocrity for the next 10 years, so it makes sense to push a lot of chips in to compete the next 2-3 years. The time is now to give this city a team to be passionate about.
