Paul Skenes’ Cy Young breakout has pushed the Pittsburgh Pirates into a pivotal moment, one where inaction could define the franchise every bit as much as bold investment.
After years of conservative spending, the front office is now being linked to one of the biggest bats on the market, a move that could finally give their young ace the run support he deserves.
The top target generating buzz is Pete Alonso, the Mets star whose power numbers remain among the best in baseball. The 30-year-old launched 38 home runs and drove in 126 RBIs in 2025, reinforcing his status as one of the league’s most durable and dependable sluggers.
ESPN’s Jorge Castillo recently suggested that Pittsburgh could emerge as a sleeper destination, noting that the Pirates “want to spend money on upgrading their offense to complement a strong pitching staff headlined by Paul Skenes.” Given the team’s weak offensive showing, that assessment feels spot-on.
The Pirates’ production at first base was especially problematic last year. Spencer Horwitz and Enmanuel Valdez combined for only 18 home runs and a .246 batting average. The designated hitter role wasn’t much better, with Andrew McCutchen and Bryan Reynolds contributing 19 homers and a .238 average.
Those numbers are simply not enough to support a pitching staff led by one of baseball’s brightest young stars. When experts warned earlier this year that Skenes might never win in Pittsburgh unless changes were made, that message resonated.
Alonso fits the bill for a transformative addition. Beyond his power, he has appeared in 1,008 of the Mets’ last 1,032 games, a testament to his durability. His 264 career home runs since 2019 place him third in MLB during that period. Even better for Pittsburgh, Alonso has expressed comfort with playing designated hitter, and his agent Scott Boras has confirmed his openness to the role.
His projected $113 million price tag is steep, but arguably justified for a club desperate for middle-of-the-order thunder.
Are the Pirates finally ready to support their ace?
Skenes repeatedly emphasized that he wants to win in Pittsburgh, not elsewhere. He’s rejected rumors of interest in the Yankees, instead challenging the organization to match his ambition. That pressure appears to be working.
Besides Alonso, the Pirates are reportedly showing interest in Kyle Schwarber, fresh off a monster season with 56 homers and 132 RBIs. Schwarber’s power, postseason experience, and potential fit as a DH give Pittsburgh another high-impact option as they attempt to strengthen their lineup.
GM Ben Cherington has hinted at greater financial flexibility this offseason, and if Pittsburgh follows through, one of these sluggers could become the cornerstone bat that finally supports Skenes‘ winning vision.
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