The Pittsburgh Pirates are finally acting like a franchise ready to win now. The architect of that shift is a familiar — and often criticized — figure: general manager Ben Cherington.
After years of rebuilding and restraint, Cherington’s 2025 offseason has delivered impact talent. There’s a bolder philosophy in Pittsburgh and a long-overdue sense of urgency.
Ben Cherington’s Best Offseason Yet in Pittsburgh
Since 2019, Cherington’s tenure mostly focused on collecting prospects. This winter, that narrative is changing.
The Pirates aren’t just stockpiling future assets anymore. They’re actually plugging holes on the big-league roster with proven contributors.
The centerpiece of this transformation is a multi-player trade. It adds star power and rounds out the roster with speed, versatility, and high-octane pitching.
The Blockbuster Trade Headlined by Brandon Lowe
The marquee move of the Pirates’ offseason is the deal that brought Brandon Lowe, Jake Mangum, and Mason Montgomery to Pittsburgh. It’s the kind of trade that says the front office isn’t content to wait another three years for results.
Lowe stands out as the crown jewel. The left-handed hitting infielder just finished a season with 31 home runs and 83 runs batted in, production the Pirates have sorely lacked from the left side.
He’s also locked in at a manageable $11.5 million salary, giving Pittsburgh middle-of-the-order punch without blowing up payroll flexibility. Lowe brings postseason experience and a knack for handling pressure, which this young Pirates lineup has been missing.
Jake Mangum and Mason Montgomery Provide Depth and Upside
Lowe grabs the headlines, but the secondary pieces in the trade might prove just as important for building a complete roster.
Jake Mangum injects speed and defensive versatility into the outfield mix, plus a high-contact, high-average bat. He’s the type of player who impacts games in subtle but meaningful ways — stretching singles into doubles, taking away hits in the gaps, and lengthening the lineup with professional at-bats.
Mason Montgomery is a left-handed reliever who can touch 100 mph. His power arsenal and upside give the Pirates a potential late-inning piece who can miss bats in high-leverage spots, something every contender needs in October.
The Cost: A Reasonable Gamble on Mike Burrows
To land this trio, the Pirates parted with Mike Burrows, a young, controllable arm with upside but not much major league experience. In previous years, Pittsburgh probably would’ve clung to that type of pitcher, prioritizing future potential over present value.
This time, the calculus is different. Turning an unproven asset into three players who can help immediately — including an All-Star-caliber bat — says the Pirates are done treating the big-league roster as an afterthought.
Building a Bullpen and a Reputation
The Lowe deal didn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s part of a broader offseason plan focused on surrounding a promising young rotation with real major league support.
Two moves in particular stand out, both underscoring Cherington’s commitment to winning in the near term.
Gregory Soto and the Johan Oviedo Trade
The Pirates added veteran reliever Gregory Soto, a hard-throwing left-hander with late-inning experience. Even with the volatility of relievers, Soto’s presence deepens the bullpen and gives the Pirates a more intimidating look from the left side.
In a separate deal, Pittsburgh shipped Johan Oviedo out for Jhostynxon Garcia. Garcia is more of a longer-term play, but the move fits a pattern: the Pirates are reshaping their talent base to balance present needs with sustainable depth, not just hoarding arms without a plan for contention.
A Shift in League-Wide Perception
These moves are changing how the Pirates are viewed around the league. Where free agents and rival executives once saw a perpetually rebuilding club, there’s now a sense of seriousness and urgency about winning games in 2025.
The front office hasn’t suddenly turned into a big-market spender. Questions about overall payroll commitment will linger until ownership proves otherwise.
Still, this offseason has created momentum — the kind of narrative shift that could make Pittsburgh a more appealing landing spot for free agents who want to win and play meaningful games.
What’s Next? One More Bat Could Change Everything
Even after the Lowe trade and bullpen upgrades, there’s a clear understanding both inside and outside the organization: the Pirates are still one impact bat short of a truly dangerous lineup.
The potential solutions are as ambitious as they are intriguing. Each would reinforce the idea that Pittsburgh is done sitting on the sidelines.
Targets: Suárez, Luis Robert Jr., and Japanese Sluggers
Possible next steps for the Pirates include:
Honestly, there’s no guarantee any of these moves happen. The cost, the competition—it’s a lot. Still, seeing Pittsburgh in the mix for names like these? That’s saying something, and it’s a welcome change of pace.
Here is the source article for this story: Jason Mackey: Is it OK to say Ben Cherington has had a solid offseason (so far) for the Pirates?
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