The Pittsburgh Pirates are making a push for an intriguing hitter.
The Pittsburgh Pirates desperately need bats, but how willing are they actually going to be when it comes to spending?
The Pirates have already been connected to Kyle Schwarber, but the chances of them actually shelling out the cash required to land the NL MVP runner-up are astronomically slim, particularly considering they would probably have to overpay to convince him to sign.
Instead, Pittsburgh may be better off pursuing second-tier hitters in free agency, and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic has named one in particular that has caught the Pirates' attention: infielder Jorge Polanco.
Polanco spent 2025 with the Seattle Mariners, slashing .265/.326/.495 with 26 home runs and 78 RBI over 524 plate appearances. He was primarily a designated hitter, but also played some second base (although Polanco has never been known as a defender).
The 32-year-old should be affordable for the Bucs and could probably be had on a three-year deal worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $15 million annually.
Polanco owns a lifetime .263/.330/.442 slash line over 12 big-league seasons, the first decade coming with the Minnesota Twins. He made the All-Star team in 2019 after slashing .295/.356/.485 with 22 homers, 40 doubles and 79 RBI across 704 trips to the dish. He also smashed 33 long balls to go along with 98 RBI — and an .826 OPS — in 2021.
It could be a case of buyer beware for the Pirates considering Polanco just posted a .651 OPS in 2024, but at some point, Pittsburgh will need to start making some moves, and Polanco comprises one of its most realistic potential additions.
Star pitcher Paul Skenes made it clear after the 2025 campaign that he expected the Pirates to legitimately try to improve this winter, and with trade conjecture already swirling around the NL Cy Young award winner, the Buccos should probably get busy.
While Pittsburgh may not be able to land Schwarber or any of the other splashy position players on the open market, Polanco would make perfect sense, and so long as the Pirates make other moves, as well, the potential addition of the Dominican native should be seen as a sign of progress.
We'll soon find out if Pittsburgh should be taken seriously or not.