Pirates Okay with O’Hearn in the Outfield as Camp Readies to Open

In less than one month, the Pittsburgh Pirates will be back in town. Executives, manager Don Kelly, coaches, instructors, front office employees, clubhouse personnel; everyone from the 40-man roster on down.

The new faces making their way around Pirate City will include Ryan O’Hearn. Earlier this month, the Pirates announced the signing of O’Hearn to a two-year, $29 million contract. O’Hearn’s deal is the largest in franchise history given to a hitter. Big money translates into even bigger expectations.

His left-handed bat is what Ben Cherington, Pirates’ general manager, had been hunting for this offseason. O’Hearn, 32, will likely be given ample time in camp to familiarize himself at first base, in the corner outfield positions, and be inserted in the designated hitter spot in Kelly’s lineups.

Once the 32-game Grapefruit League schedule begins on Saturday, February 21, in Sarasota with the Baltimore Orioles, this is when the 2025 MLB All-Star will begin finding his way in the batter’s box. O’Hearn’s offense is highly anticipated. Last season’s club ranked 28th among all 30 MLB clubs in batting average (.231). The Pirates were dead last in runs scored, as well.

The 182 RBIs O’Hearn collected over his past three seasons with the Orioles (O’Hearn was sent to the San Diego Padres at last July’s trade deadline) are what Cherington is hoping continues in Pittsburgh. Perhaps splitting time at first base with Spencer Horwitz is in the cards for O’Hearn. Since, at this time there doesn’t seem to be anyone selected as the club’s DH, here, too, O’Hearn could take some swings from.

The Pirates’ outfield brigade, at first glance, could appear jammed once the games start. Bryan Reynolds has a lock on being the regular right fielder. Over in center field, Oneil Cruz is being counted on to play on a daily basis. Newly acquired Jake Mangum and Jhostynxon Garcia will be looking for some playing time in the outfield. Lest we forget Jack Suwinski.

During his four seasons in Pittsburgh, Suwinski, another left-handed swinging outfielder, has, at times, impressed. In 2023, Suwinski slugged 26 home runs and drove in 74 runs. But the past two years have been filled with unfulfilled promises. Riding the Triple-A shuttle to Indianapolis and Pittsburgh, Suwinski produced 12 long balls and chipped in 36 RBIs for the two seasons combined.

Competition will make for a better product this spring in Bradenton. From now until February 11, when the Pirates are accessible to the media in Week 1 of spring training, Cherington’s wheeling and dealing could turn up the competitive level even higher. Snagging a proven third baseman with pop in his bat seems to still be on the general manager's radar.

Eugenio Suarez is probably Cherington’s main target to become the everyday third baseman. Other clubs, no doubt, are in the hunt for his services as well. The 49 homers in his last season for Seattle and Arizona are just what Pittsburgh needs for fans to forget last season’s anemic offense. Suarez won’t come cheap. Earning $15 million in 2025, Suarez surely is looking for a sizeable raise in salary.

There’s just a higher buzz of excitement surrounding the Pirates as they prepare for another season, compared to recent years. O’Hearn is the main contributor to what can be for Pittsburgh this coming season. Pirates’ fans deserve this newfound optimism.