PITTSBURGH (PTTP) – Spring training has begun in earnest for the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving fans an early look at the team that has raised a ton of eyebrows this past offseason. For the first time in over a decade, the Pirates Payroll has ballooned to over nine figures, currently sitting at 120$ Millon dollars. While this is still the ninth lowest in the MLB, it marks a promising sign for Pirates fans that the team is willing to provide support for their ace Paul Skenes, and their developing pitching rotation.
The three biggest moves the Pirates made this offseason, were position players known for their strong bats. A couple days before spring training the Pirates signed Designated Hitter Marcell Ozuna to a one year deal. Formerly of the Atlanta Braves Ozuna has averaged 30 homers, 95 RBIs and a .269 batting average across his 13-year career. So far in spring training, Ozuna tallied a hit and RBI in the team’s 2-6 loss against the New York Yankees on Feb.23. This move did create some controversy, as it meant the Pirates would move on from previous DH and franchise legend Andrew McCutchen, in a move that McCutchen felt “blindsided him”
Elsewhere, the Pirates added former All-Star Ryan O’Hearn to the rotation, possibly the best player they’ve added this season. O’Hearn was also the recipient of the Pirates first Multi-Year deal since 2016, signing a two year deal on Jan.8. Last season O’Hearn was an All-Star splitting time with the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres, ending his season with 17 Home runs on a .281 batting average. O’Hearn has impressed early, with a .375 hitting clip and four RBI’s, O’Hearn is solidifying himself as a key piece of this burgeoning Pirates lineup.
The biggest report out of Bradenton is the play of former First Round pick, Shortstop Konnor Griffin. Griffin was drafted by the Pirates in the 2024 draft, and has shattered expectations since then. In his first season in the Pirates’ system, Griffin finished with 21 home runs, 94 RBIs and 64 stolen bases on a .333 average, with Baseball America naming him their Minor League Player of the year. Ahead of the 2026 season, MLB named Griffin the No.1 overall prospect in all of baseball, leaving Pirates fans salivating over what he can bring to the organization. In the team’s 16-7 pounding of the Boston Red Sox, Griffin smashed two home runs which netted the team four runs. While the Pirates have not made an official decision on whether or not he will make the opening day roster, fans and pundits are clamoring for the Pirates to call him up, given his astronomical potential can finally bring playoff baseball back to Pittsburgh.