Pirates Sign Ryan O’Hearn to Bolster Offense, Add Power

The Pittsburgh Pirates just took a big step to fix one of baseball’s weakest lineups. They signed veteran first baseman and outfielder Ryan O’Hearn to a two-year, $29 million contract.

This deal doesn’t just change their everyday offense. It also shows a rare financial push from a franchise that’s usually pretty cautious with spending.

Pirates Make Rare Splash with Ryan O’Hearn Deal

The way they structured the agreement says a lot about how much Pittsburgh believes in O’Hearn’s late-career resurgence. The two-year, $29 million pact also has up to $1 million in plate-appearance incentives, so he’ll get rewarded if he stays healthy and keeps playing regularly.

Pittsburgh has usually avoided big free-agent commitments. The Pirates almost never go multi-year for outside bats and have never guaranteed a free agent $40 million.

O’Hearn doesn’t quite hit that number, but he’s still a meaningful financial and competitive step forward for them.

A Shift in Spending Philosophy for Pittsburgh

This move bumps the Pirates’ projected 2026 payroll to around $96 million. That’s a number that really stands out for this organization.

After years near the bottom of the league in payroll, Pittsburgh finally looks ready to spend to contend, not just hang around.

O’Hearn’s Late-Career Breakout Changes His Narrative

At 32, Ryan O’Hearn isn’t the usual breakout story. He used to be a replacement-level hitter and got designated for assignment by the Royals in 2022.

His career seemed headed for journeyman status, honestly. But he rebuilt his value with the Orioles and Padres, turning himself into one of the more intriguing power bats on the market.

In 2025, O’Hearn put up a 127 wRC+ with a .281/.366/.437 slash line and a career-high 17 home runs. That’s well above league average, and it’s a huge turnaround from his Kansas City days.

What’s Fueling O’Hearn’s Transformation?

His numbers show real, sustainable improvement—not just a fluke:

The Pirates have really needed someone with O’Hearn’s skill set—professional plate appearances and on-base ability. He fits that need almost perfectly.

Filling a Critical Offensive Void in Pittsburgh

The urgency here is obvious. In 2025, the Pirates’ offense was among the worst in baseball, posting an 82 wRC+.

That number reflects more than a lack of power—it’s a sign they just couldn’t get on base or keep rallies going.

The front office made it clear that improving the lineup was priority number one. They tried for bigger names like Josh Naylor and Kyle Schwarber but didn’t land them.

So, O’Hearn’s arrival feels not just necessary, but absolutely vital.

O’Hearn Immediately Becomes a Middle-of-the-Order Threat

Compared to what Pittsburgh had in 2025, O’Hearn projects as one of their best hitters for 2026. He brings left-handed power, better plate discipline, and can play multiple spots, giving the manager and front office more options for building a balanced lineup.

He may not have the big-name appeal of some missed targets, but his recent production stacks up well with plenty of mid-tier elite bats around the league.

Defensive Versatility Adds Roster Flexibility

O’Hearn isn’t just a bat-only signing. While he’s mainly a first baseman, he’s logged about 150 outfield innings in each of the past three seasons.

That kind of versatility is valuable for a club trying to make the most of a limited spending window and a roster with lots of moving parts.

How O’Hearn Fits with Reynolds, Cruz, Lowe, and Horwitz

O’Hearn’s going to pop up at a few different spots:

He’ll shake up playing time for Brandon Lowe and Spencer Horwitz too. The Pirates now have some real flexibility to mix and match, depending on who’s hot or which hand the pitcher throws with.

Is this finally the modern, nimble roster Pirates fans have been waiting for? Maybe. It’s at least a step away from the old, rigid approach Pittsburgh’s stuck with for too long.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Pirates To Sign Ryan O’Hearn