Every Player Pirates Could Pursue at Winter Meetings

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a number of players they'll go after during the busiest week of the offseason.
New York Mets first base Pete Alonso (20) celebrates a solo home run against Detroit Tigers during the seventh inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.
New York Mets first base Pete Alonso (20) celebrates a solo home run against Detroit Tigers during the seventh inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In this story:


PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates enter their most important time of this offseason at the Winter Meetings down in Orlando, FL with a number of players they could go after.

What the Winter Meetings give the Pirates is a chance for them to meet other front offices and agents, allowing them to start discussions or continue talks that leads to moves occurring.

The Pirates have reportedly targeted numerous free agents and trade targets over the last month, which sets them up with a chance to make some big moves not just this week, but throughout the offseason.

Free Agents the Pirates Have Targeted

Free Agent

Position

Age (Next Season)

Kyle Schwarber

DH

33

Jorge Polanco

2B/DH

33

Ryan O'Hearn

1B/DH/RF

33

Kazuma Okamoto

3B/1B

30

Munetaka Murakami

3B/1B

26

J.T. Realmuto

C

35

Pete Alonso

1B

31

These seven players represent the players that the Pirates have reportedly gone after in free agency this offseason

Kyle Schwarber is the only player that the Pirates have reportedly offered so far, around four-years, $100 million, which is likely far too low, but does show intent from the front office.

Schwarber, Jorge Polanco, Ryan O'Hearn and Japanese superstar Munetaka Murakami all are power left-handed hitting, which is beneficial for hitters at PNC Park, making them understandable targets.

Ryan O'hearn Pittsburgh Pirates
Sep 27, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Ryan O'Hearn (32) gestures after hitting a double during the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images | Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Fellow Japanese superstar Kazuma Okamoto and Pete Alonso are right-handed hitters, but home run hitters as well.

J.T. Realmuto stands out as he isn't a big time power bat, but is a veteran catcher, a position the Pirates could stand to improve.

Trades Targets the Pirates Have Interest In

Name

Position

Team

Age (Next Season)

Brendan Donovan

2B/LF

St. Louis Cardinals

29

Alec Burleson

1B/RF/LF/DH

St. Louis Cardinals

27

Nolan Gorman

3B/2B/DH

St. Louis Cardinals

26

Lars Nootbaar

LF/CF/RF

St. Louis Cardinals

27/28

Brandon Lowe

2B

Tampa Bay Rays

31/32

Jeff McNeil

2B/OF

New York Mets

34

Nick Castellanos

RF

Philadelphia Phillies

34

The Pirates have trade interest with their rival in the St. Louis Cardinals, who have left-handed batters in Alec Burleson, Brendan Donovan, Nolan Gorman and Lars Nootbaar.

All of these players are in arbitration, making them cheaper for the Pirates with team control, but also play positions of need, like left field and third base.

Brandon Lowe of the Tampa Bay Rays and Jeff McNeil of the New York Mets are veteran, left-handed hitting second baseman, who can hit for power.

Brandon Lowe Tampa Bay Rays
Sep 13, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe (8) hits an RBI single against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

Both players are in the last year of their contract and could serve as improvements for a position that the Pirates would like to improve next season.

Nick Castellanos is in the last year of his contract and the right-handed bat does have power that the Pirates could want, but has also seen his numbers decline in recent seasons.

The Pirates did already make a trade this offseason, as they sent right-handed pitcher Johan Oviedo and prospects in left-handed relief pitcher Tyler Samaniego and catcher Adonys Guzman to the Boston Red Sox for top 100 prospect in outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia and 18-year old right-handed pitcher Jesus Travieso on Dec. 4.

Pittsburgh has a lot of pitchers that other teams want, such as veteran right-handed starter Mitch Keller, which would also give the franchise more money for spending in free agency if they do deal him.

Free Agent/Trade Fits for the Pirates

Name

Position

Team

Age (Next Season)

Eugenio Suárez

3B

Free Agent

34/35

Luis Arráez

1B/2B

Free Agent

29

Marcell Ozuna

DH

Free Agent

35

Nick Martinez

RHP

Free Agent

35/36

Merrill Kelly

RHP

Free Agent

37

Ketel Marte

2B

Arizona Diamondbacks

32

Jake Cronenworth

2B/1B

San Diego Padres

32

Jarren Duran

LF/CF

Boston Red Sox

29/30

Steven Kwan

LF

Cleveland Guardians

28/29

CJ Abrams

SS

Washington Nationals

26

Wilyer Abreu

RF

Boston Red Sox

26/27

Yandy Díaz

DH/1B

Tampa Bay Rays

35/36

Wilson Contreras

1B/DH/C

St. Louis Cardinals

33/34

Alec Bohm

3B

Philadelphia Phillies

29/30

These players are those that national media have looked at as adequate fits either in free agency and trades for the Pirates this offseason.

Some of the most promising names on this list include free agent third baseman Eugenio Suárez, who hit 52 home runs last season, Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte, an All-Star, Silver Slugger Award winner and All-MLB First Team honoree in 2025.

Eugenio Suarez
Oct 20, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Seattle Mariners third baseman Eugenio Suarez (28) hits a single against the Toronto Blue Jays in the second inning during game seven of the ALCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

There are lots of other players who fit the Pirates in terms of position needs like outfielders in Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu of the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan and Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm.

Pittsburgh also had fits with some more prolific hitters in recent years like free agents in Marcell Ozuna and Luis Arráez, plus trade targets in Yandy Díaz of the Rays and Wilson Contreras of the Cardinals.

Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates!


Published
Dominic Campbell
DOMINIC CAMPBELL

Dominic writes for Pittsburgh Pirates On SI, Pittsburgh Panthers Pn SI and also, Pittsburgh Steelers On SI. A Pittsburgh native, Dominic grew up watching Pittsburgh Sports and wrote for The Pitt News as an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh, covering Pitt Athletics. He would write for Pittsburgh Sports Now after college and has years of experience covering sports across Pittsburgh.