I am a pessimist by nature, and if you are a Pirates fan pessimism has been ingrained into your being much the same as having compassion for others —not you Coach Kiffin, men cursing at other drivers —I didn’t mean you Tim Tebow, and knowing the world is round —skip this one Kyrie.

With three playoff appearances in the last 33 years and only three division titles in the last 46 years, pessimism is simply a way of life for the Bucco brigade. The seasons don’t all play out the same, but the results rarely change. Will the Pirates avoid 100 losses, what will go wrong this time, and when will we spend money on decent players are all questions most Pirates fans ask year in and year out.

This past week brought the sounds of baseball splendor back to ballparks throughout Florida and Arizona. The crack of bats echoing in empty fields, oiled leather gloves popping with each catch, and the chatter of players while they field grounders.

Those sounds signify the start of spring training when hope knocks on many team’s door. It hasn’t knocked on the Pirates door in quite some time. Why should 2026 be any different?

Glass Half Full?

Every offseason tends to be the same. The Pirates go dumpster diving in order to fill out the roster. They usually ignore needs in favor of being cheap. This most recent offseason did deviate from the norm to an extent.

 The Pirates certainly didn’t spend a ton of money, but there was some legitimate spending done. They desperately needed some hitting, and some decent pieces were added to the roster. Oh, and the Pirates just so happen to employ the Cy Young winner —Paul Skenes— who will lead an impressive group of young arms in to battle.

The biggest need for the Pirates this offseason was adding to an anemic offense that rarely provided the needed support for a pitching staff that was lights out on most nights.

 Here are the additions made via trade and free agent signings.

  • Brandon Lowe(2B)- Lowe pounded 31 home runs while raising his average to .256 last year. Lowe has shown pretty consistent power throughout his career. Like most power bats, he strikes out a good deal —30% of his at bats. Lowe’s defense is suspect. His zone rating and his defensive WAR have both gradually gotten worse.
  • Jake Mangum(OF)- Late bloomer? Mangum made his MLB debut last year at 29. He hit .296 with 27 stolen bases and 18 doubles in just over 400 at bats. He didn’t make an error and had six assists while playing all three outfield positions.
  • Ryan O’Hearn(1B/OF)- O’Hearn had his best season by a decent margin last year. He hit .281 with 17 home runs and a .366 on base percentage. O’Hearn has never been a big power hitter. He spent most of his time at first base, but did play both corner outfield spots. He is an okay first baseman, but a substandard outfielder.
  • Marcel Ozuna(DH)- Ozuna was a beast in 2023 and 2024, launching 79 total home runs. Last year his average dipped significantly plus he went from 39 home runs to just 21. Ozuna has played a total of 14 innings in the outfield over the past three years.

The Pirates are most likely not done adding, as they are actively searching for a more offensive third baseman, plus another arm for the rotation may be added as well.

Another addition I didn’t mention is reliever Mason Montgomery. Montgomery, from all that have viewed him, is a left with nasty stuff. His arm will be much needed in the bullpen.

Oh, and if the Pirates are smart(insert your own joke here please) they will have 19 year old phenom Konnor Griffin begin the season as their starting shortstop.

There is no doubt that the group of hitters listed above —even at the lower end of their potential production— should provide a fairly large boost to the rotting corpse of an offense they had last season.

There certainly is enough there —plus any additional trades/signings yet to come— to feel like for the first time in ten years the glass may be half full.

Reality?

Alas, sensible fans may still not be feeling it just yet. I am in that camp. When I see it, I will believe it. And even then I will continue to have doubts. It is the Pirates, after all, still owned by Moneybagless Nutting and run by “bad at his job” Ben.

The players acquired so far, minus Mangum, are all the same guys with varying degrees of power and different names. They are all DH/first basemen, where Spencer Horowitz already presides. Lowe will obviously play second base, pushing Nick Fonzales to a reserve role. O’Hearn or Horowitz will play first base, but presumably they want both in the lineup. You know, because Horowitz showed so much last year. That means O’Hearn likely moves to right field and Bryan Reynolds moves back to left field. Ozuna will obviously DH. That puts Mangum in a reserve role, and he is the only new guy who is a plus defensively.

So my Pirate paranoia pessimism senses are tingling. The glass half empty guy in me comes out.

  • If the Pirates do indeed replace Jared Triolo at third base with another bad glove I want to know if the increase in runs scored will outweigh the runs given up by a putrid defense.
  • The Pirates added some thump, but who are the table setters, especially if Mangum isn’t in the lineup?
  • Why did they trade David Bednar for a catcher they have no intent on playing. I love Henry Davis, and I certainly hope he succeeds. Stats say he is a minus minus hitter.
  • Which journeyman pitcher do they add to the rotation? If they don’t, are young guys like Hunter Barco ready?
  • Are we really going into the season with Dennis Santana as the closer?

You see, the Pirates haven’t earned my optimism. They have been cheating on me for the better part of 45 years, so they certainly haven’t earned my trust. Don Kelly knows that, judging by his opening speech to the team.

Any team that can run out Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, Bubba Chandler, Mitch Keller, and eventually Jared Jones is a team that should have a chance. I want to believe this is the year I have meaningful games to watch in September and beyond. I’m just not sold that Lowe, O’Hearn, and Ozuna bring enough to the table to propel the Pirates to contention.

I love watching the baseballs fly around Florida. I love baseball period. If there is, indeed, a lockout next season in order to get a salary cap then the Pirates need to strike this year before the Paul Skenes window closes.

I want to believe. I do. Unfortunately, the Pirates have forced me and most sensible people to be glass half empty fans even when there seems to be some hope.

If O’Neil Cruz would just hit .240 and hit 30 home runs then maybe that would change my view of that glass. Yes, I know. That glass is also half empty until proven otherwise.

Tweet of the Week

A couple of weeks ago I said Mikel Brown, Louisville’s five star freshman, wasn’t ready for the NBA. I still think he needs to get stronger, but that will happen in an NBA weight room. I was wrong. The kid has moves.

 


The Weekly Shiny Penny

I said I thought Bob Chesney was an elite hire for UCLA. I found he always said the right thing. That continues at UCLA, as he teaches his players to show respect to everyone in the building. Character matters.

 


A Penny For My Final Thoughts…

  • If you thought all that matters to athletes is money, then you should have watched golf this weekend. Collin Morikawa was brought to tears after finally winning again at Pebble Beach. It had been several years since Morikawa won, and he was starting to feel that weight. On the LIV Tour, Anthony Kim outdid Morikawa. Kim was going to be the next Tiger. Then injuries, addiction, and depression forced him to vanish for 12 years. Kim went from high and suicidal to a sober dad during that time. He got money to join LIV, but had to qualify last week. He then knocked off Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm to find victory and a tearful hug with his family. The money is obviously sweet, but these guys proved that winning matters.
  • It sounds like the PGA Tour is discussing moving Pebble Beach and Riviera(this week’s stop) to August. The weather would be better, but it would screw up the West Coast swing that gets people interested in golf for the season. I hope they keep it as is.
  • Kansas State fired head coach Jerome Tang for cause. The cause? He criticized his players after a game. Tang hired lawyer Tom Mars. I suggest Kansas State buckle up because they are about to get smoked in court. Maybe, just maybe, these schools should quit putting these high priced buyouts in contracts. Clearly they don’t want to pay them.
  • The college basketball product is a thousand times better than the garbage the NBA rolls out.
  • NBA all star weekend was the bust you would expect.
  • Let me know when the NHL players get back from the Olympics. Nobody wants to watch these blowouts. Give Canada the gold medal and let’s get on with the rest of the NHL season.
Just my two cents…