Pirates finalize 2-year, $29M deal with All-Star slugger Ryan O’Hearn

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Ryan O’Hearn, their biggest foray into free agency in almost a decade, and formally introduced the slugger in a news conference Thursday afternoon at PNC Park.

A 2025 All-Star who can play first base, outfield and DH, O’Hearn agreed to a two-year, $29 million deal Dec. 23. It marks the first multi-year free-agent deal for the Pirates since December 2016, when they signed reliever Daniel Hudson to a two-year, $11 million deal and starter Ivan Nova to a three-year, $26 million deal three days later.

O’Hearn, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound left-handed hitter, batted .281/.366/.437 with 21 doubles, 17 home runs and 63 RBIs last season split between the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres, who acquired O’Hearn and Ramon Laureano at the trade deadline for six minor-leaguers on July 31.

The 32-year-old O’Hearn revived his career after being acquired from the Kansas City Royals for cash considerations in January 2023. Where he hit 38 homers and had 131 RBIs in 342 games over five seasons in Kansas City, O’Hearn had 42 homers and 162 RBIs in 348 games over three seasons in Baltimore but improved his pitch selection and dramatically increased his batting average, on-base percentage and OPS.

O’Hearn earned his first All-Star Game selection last summer after slashing .283/.374/.463 with 15 doubles, 13 homers and 43 RBIs through the first half. He batted .276/.350/.387 with six doubles, four homers and 20 RBIs over 50 games for the Padres.

Defensively, O’Hearn has played primarily at first base (385 games) and DH (185) but has split time between right field (101) and left (20). Where he had 4 defensive runs saved at first base, O’Hearn was minus-4 in the outfield.

O’Hearn will wear uniform No. 29.

A corresponding move to the 40-man roster is expected Thursday.

The Pirates’ signing of O’Hearn continues an eventful offseason that has involved some dealing and spending. They added outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia, a top-100 prospect, in a trade that sent starting pitcher Johan Oviedo to the Boston Red Sox. They signed left-handed high-leverage reliever Gregory Soto to a one-year, $7.75 million contract. They also acquired a lefty-hitting, two-time All-Star second baseman in Brandon Lowe, who will make $11.5 million, outfielder Jake Mangum and lefty reliever Mason Montgomery from the Tampa Bay Rays in a three-team deal that sent starting pitcher Mike Burrows to the Houston Astros.