The Pittsburgh Pirates’ returning players have shared their excitement in how the club has navigated the offseason, signing and trading for a multitude of proven big-leaguers.
First baseman Ryan O’Hearn, second baseman Brandon Lowe, outfielder Jake Mangum and relievers Mason Montgomery and Gregory Soto should help the club immediately in 2026.
Spencer Horwitz, himself a high-profile offseason acquisition ahead of the 2025 campaign, summed up the anticipation as the Pirates aim to push for the playoffs following a disappointing 71-91 record a year ago.
“Adding two All-Stars and then adding two left-handed pitchers that throw 100 and Jake Mangum, who’s an unbelievable player, as well — everyone’s super excited, wants that winning baseball and I know everyone’s doing everything they can this offseason,” Horwitz said Friday ahead of PiratesFest. “…We’re just excited to get the season going.”
Horwitz can claim to be among the returnees who could be most potentially impacted by some of the Pirates’ moves, seeing as the two All-Stars he alluded to, O’Hearn and Lowe, play his primary positions.
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington and manager Don Kelly have already chatted with Horwitz about his role in 2026.
“I talked to (Kelly) and (Cherington) when we signed Ryan and it seems like it’s going to be a lot of first base and some second base and some DH days, as well,” Horwitz said. “Just trying to put the best offensive lineup we can together.”
The left-handed O’Hearn started 75 games at first base, 21 in right field and 49 at designated hitter last season with Baltimore and San Diego.
Lowe, another lefty who played his entire MLB career with Tampa Bay before the Pirates traded for him Dec. 19, made 121 of his 130 starts last season at second base.
Last year with the Pirates, after recovering from offseason wrist surgery, Horwitz assumed his expected spot as the club’s starting first baseman, playing 102 games and 828 2/3 innings there.
The 28-year-old played just one game and six innings at second base in his debut Pirates season but, in 2024 with the Toronto Blue Jays, made 39 starts there.
So it remains to be seen how the Pirates will put together their nightly lineup card, maximizing the combined offense that Horwitz, O’Hearn and Lowe can bring.
“I think adding those two guys, Brandon and Ryan, they’re two middle-of-the-order guys and that adds a lot of depth to our lineup,” Horwitz said. “I think last year I hit seventh twice. I might be starting the year hitting seventh. I might be starting the year hitting first or second.
“I don’t think that’s a hit on my ability, I think that’s a blessing that we have so much talent now. I think Ryan, Brandon, Bryan (Reynolds), Oneil (Cruz) — all of them — we’re just super excited to be able to lean on each other. If somebody’s having an off day, we know the guy behind us or in front of us will pick us up.”
Making his Pirates debut May 17, Horwitz navigated a slow first few weeks post-wrist surgery.
But upon getting settled and reaching full health, he emerged as one of the Pirates’ better hitters, slashing .272/.353/.434 with 11 home runs and 51 RBIs in 108 games.
Horwitz was at his best as the season ended. In August, he batted .274 with four homers and 15 RBIs, while in September, he hit .333 with a .455 on-base percentage.
“I obviously wanted the season to keep going and I wanted to hit that well all year,” Horwitz said. “But that’s the nature of 162 (games) — it’s not going to be perfect every day. I think it’s just weathering that storm. I learned a lot about myself, about my teammates and I think hopefully I can get off to a better start this year.
“Being healthy is the No. 1 part of that. If the season went a little longer, I think I could have put up some good numbers.”
O’Hearn joins the Pirates following a 17-homer, 61-RBI campaign with the Orioles and Padres in which he batted .281.
The past three seasons, he has batted at least .264 with 14 home runs and 59 RBIs.
Notably, O’Hearn owns solid career splits against fellow lefties (.278 batting average) and righties (.281) alike.
Horwitz, by comparison, batted .283 against right-handers last season, but struggled vs. lefties, hitting only .186.
Lowe has also struggled vs. lefties, batting .194 a year ago, compared to .280 against right-handers.
For the Pirates, having a surplus of dependable bats that need to be in the lineup each day seems like a good problem to have.
The additions of O’Hearn and Lowe don’t impact just Horwitz; Nick Gonzales and Jared Triolo are other infielders who may see their duties tweaked as a result.
Regardless of how it all shakes out, players have enjoyed seeing the Pirates’ roster take form, with spring training fast approaching.
“I feel like the group of guys we have now is super competitive,” Horwitz said. “Everyone’s super excited and wants winning baseball in Pittsburgh.”