Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington is ready to go on a spending spree to improve his 2026 team. This, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com and MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal, in an interview with Foul Territory.
Feinsand’s sources estimate the Pirates could spend in the range of $30-40 million this offseason. Rosenthal speculates this could come in the form of free agency or assuming big contracts in trades. Did Rosenthal perhaps tie his patented bow tie too tight and stop the flow of oxygen to his brain? Well, his shirt was open at the collar when he said it:
The Marlins and Pirates are telling agents they’d like to be aggressive and spend a little bit, says @Ken_Rosenthal.
“That can be in free agency, or it can be in the matter of taking on salaries in trades.” pic.twitter.com/R5aAqrIVa2
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) November 11, 2025
Look Out! Pirates to Go on Spending Spree for 2026?
Given their history under owner Bob Nutting, Pirates fans will be rightfully skeptical until the rumors are backed up by action. What fueled the speculation was a remark Cherington made to Robert Murray of FanSided, to the effect that the Pirates have “more flexibility than we’ve had in other offseasons than I’ve been in Pittsburgh.”
Without predicting what Cherington will do, we’ll look at past spending, salaries shed with this past season’s trades, salaries that could potentially be shed by non-tendering arbitration-eligible players, and one big salary that could be traded away. Then we’ll look at who’s available and what they would cost, based on predictions by MLB Trade Rumors. We’ll use their projections because they’re often reasonably accurate, and I’m too lazy to make my own.
Free(d) Money
Last season, the Pirates committed $21.1 million to seven free agents. None of them will be back in 2026, with the possible exception of Andrew McCutchen, who was paid $5 million for the third consecutive year since his return. That’s no slam dunk, however. “Cutch” recently turned 39 and just saw his OPS decline for the second straight season. His stat line of .239/.333/367, 13 HR, and 57 RBI was below average for a designated hitter. His encore with Pittsburgh has been a feel-good story, but the Pirates need more than warm and fuzzy feelings to contend in 2026. The franchise icon may be asked to play a lesser role for less money in 2026. Let’s assume they split the difference and McCutchen returns for $2.5 million.
That leaves $18.6 million spent last offseason, presumably available to spend this offseason. Last July’s trades of David Bednar and Ke’Bryan Hayes were intended to free up room in the 2026 payroll budget. MLB Trade Rumors projects that Bednar will be due $9 million in 2026, his first year of arbitration eligibility. Hayes is scheduled to make $7 million under the long-term deal he signed in 2022. Let’s not forget Isiah Kiner-Falefa, whom the Pirates lost on a waiver claim in August, and his $7.5 million salary. Now we’re up to $42.1 million in available 2026 spending for the Pirates.
More Money
Finally, consider the players likely to be non-tendered by the deadline. Colin Holderman and Jack Suwinski, projected to make $1.7 million apiece, will surely be parting ways with Pittsburgh. So, too, might Joey Bart and his predicted $2.7 million salary if the Pirates choose to leave the catching duties in the hands of their young backstops. That brings us up to $48.2 million in freed-up cash. That figure could go up to $65.1 million if Mitch Keller is traded and his $16.9 million salary is off the books. Keller has been the subject of trade rumors since last July. It makes sense because the Pirates would be trading from a position of depth without giving up a young pitcher.
Can we expect the Pirates to take on $65 million in contracts for 2026? Probably not. But the flexibility is there when one runs the numbers. An estimate of $30-40 million isn’t so far-fetched.
The Pirates could use help at – well, everywhere – but mainly at third base, shortstop, left field, and designated hitter. Jared Triolo at third base or shortstop wouldn’t be the end of the world if the Pirates could fill three of these spots. Let’s see what’s out there.
Who’s Out There?
Left-handed power-hitting Josh Naylor, 28, is a first baseman/designated hitter who has also played the outfield, but not since 2023. Spending time with Arizona and Seattle in 2025, he hit .295/.353/.462, 20 HR, and 92 RBI. The 235-pounder also surprised by stealing 30 bases. He’s a year removed from an All-Star season when he reached career highs with 31 home runs and 108 RBI for Cleveland. The season before that, he hit .308/.354/.489 and received Most Valuable Player consideration. With his on-base skills and power, he provides two elements the Pirates lack and would look good shooting for PNC Park’s short right field. He’ll be expensive, though, but worth the cost. Projected contract: four years, $90 million.
Eugenio Suárez, 34, is a right-handed power-hitting third baseman/designated hitter. Like Naylor, Suárez toiled for Arizona and Seattle this past season. He hit .228/.298/.526, 49 HR, and 118 RBI. As a .228 hitter who strikes out a lot – 196 times in 2025 – he wouldn’t solve two of the Pirates’ biggest shortcomings, but he’d compensate by providing power to a power-starved lineup. Given his age and his projected salary, it might be a bit of a stretch for the Pirates, but one they might consider. As an added bonus, the Pirates won’t have to face him. He’s hit Pirates pitching to the tune of .262/.347/.502, 27 HR, and 82 RBI over the years. Projected contract: three years, $63 million.
Who Else is Out There?
Back to Seattle again, where a less expensive solution to the third base problem might be found in switch-hitting infielder Jorge Polanco, 32. He hit .265/.326/.495, 26 HR, and 78 RBI for the Mariners last season. He was used mostly as a designated hitter in 2025, seldom seeing action in the field, but he has played all over the infield in his career. Polanco also battled injuries in 2024 and 2025, but should be able to contribute a full season. He managed to play 138 games last season. Projected contract: three years, $42 million.
Left-handed-hitting Ryan O’Hearn, 32, spent time with Baltimore and San Diego in 2025, hitting .281/.366/.437, 17 HR, and 63 RBI while making the All-Star team. He plays first base and the corner outfield spots. The power number decreased once he was traded to the Padres at the deadline and played in cavernous Petco Park. He might find PNC Park’s short right field more inviting. The risk-averse Pirates might find this free agent inviting, too. Projected contract: two years, $26 million.
For a while, it seemed there were three sure things in life: death, taxes, and Luis Arráez getting traded after winning a batting title. After winning his league’s batting championship three straight years, Arráez hit .292/.327/.392 with the Padres in 2025. The left-handed-hitting first baseman/designated hitter’s shortcomings are well documented. He doesn’t hit for power, doesn’t walk enough, and doesn’t play great defense. But the 2025 Pirates played in more one-run games than any team in baseball and were terrible with runners in scoring position. A player who could hit a single could have made all the difference in the world. Projected contract: two years, $24 million.
The Last Word
This article was a fun window-shopping exercise for Pirates fans, but it takes two to make a deal. Cherington doesn’t have the best track record for bringing hitters to Pittsburgh. But it’s the seventh year of a five-year plan, and the GM needs to step up his game. If it means more spending for the 2026 Pirates, that’s what it means.
Main Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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