In a clear move to address their chronic offensive struggles, the Pittsburgh Pirates have made a significant splash in the free-agent market, securing infielder Ryan O’Hearn. The franchise signed the 2025 All-Star to a two-year contract worth $29 million on Monday, December 9, 2025, in Pittsburgh.
Addressing a Historic Offensive Slump
This acquisition comes as a direct response to a dismal 2025 season at the plate. The Pirates finished the last MLB season ranked dead last in several critical offensive categories: runs scored, home runs, slugging percentage, and OPS. Rather than pursuing a single marquee superstar like Kyle Schwarber, who slipped through their grasp earlier in the offseason, the front office opted for a strategy of balanced, consistent improvement.
MLB insider Dejan Kovacevic elaborated on this thinking on the DK Pittsburgh Sports podcast released on Tuesday, December 10, 2025. From Pittsburgh, he endorsed the move, stating, "It’s a nice pickup. Ryan O’Hearn is a welcome addition. I like this idea more than chasing one big bat. You get Brandon Lowe, you get Ryan O’Hearn, and those runs start adding up."
O’Hearn and Lowe: The New Infield Core
The signing of Ryan O’Hearn is not an isolated event. It follows another key trade from December 2, 2025, where the Pirates acquired second baseman Brandon Lowe from the Tampa Bay Rays. Together, these two infielders are now central to Pittsburgh's offensive rebuild.
O’Hearn, 32, brings reliability and a keen eye. His 2025 All-Star season was built on a .281 batting average, a .366 on-base percentage, and a .437 slugging percentage. His 128 wRC+ indicates well-above-average and steady offensive production. In contrast, Brandon Lowe adds the power element, coming off a season where he smashed 31 home runs for the Rays, earning his own All-Star nod.
ESPN analyst Bradford Doolittle, during a segment on Wednesday, December 11, 2025, praised the dual approach: "With Ryan O’Hearn and Brandon Lowe, Pittsburgh is building a real major league lineup. This kind of progress can put them in the playoff conversation by 2026."
A Franchise-Changing Move
Beyond the immediate stats, the O’Hearn deal is historically significant for the Pirates. It marks the first multi-year contract given to a free agent by the franchise in nine years. This signals a notable shift in the team's philosophy and financial approach to rebuilding, moving away from purely stop-gap solutions.
The strategy is now focused on supporting a promising pitching staff with a more competent and deep lineup. The goal is clear: incremental, daily improvement from multiple positions rather than relying on the sporadic brilliance of one star. For Pirates fans, the signings of O’Hearn and Lowe represent a tangible, calculated step toward future competitiveness.
