What happened: Yahoo Sports' offseason outline for Pittsburgh, after an 82-win 2026, puts re-signing Brandon Lowe first, then adding a power hitter and a left-handed starter. Lowe, 32, hit 35 home runs, the most by a Pirate in one season, and batted .260 in a

Why it matters: Pittsburgh went 18-33 against left-handed starters and batted .228 in those games. Behind Lowe and Oneil Cruz, the lineup drops off in power, and Jared Triolo and Nick Gonzales rotated at third base with no clear long-term answer. Houston's Isaac Paredes, who hit 25 homers in 2026, is floated as a fit at third.

What to watch: MLB.com's Aiden Stepansky has suggested Pittsburgh pursue Cleveland lefty Foster Griffin, a 31-year-old first-time All-Star, in a thin free-agent class. Mitch Keller's injury-shortened, worst-of-career season leaves his rotation spot in question.