The Pittsburgh Pirates have officially signed first baseman and outfielder Ryan O’Hearn to a two-year contract valued at $29 million, as reported by Robert Murray of FanSided. The deal includes performance-based incentives that could add an extra $500,000 per year. With the Pirates currently holding a full 40-man roster, they will need to make an accompanying move to finalize the agreement.
At 32 years old, O’Hearn has experienced a remarkable resurgence in his career over the past three seasons. From 2018 to 2022, he spent parts of five seasons with the Kansas City Royals, posting a lackluster .219/.293/.390 batting line. In December 2022, the Royals designated him for assignment, after which the Baltimore Orioles acquired him but quickly placed him on waivers. This decision was largely tactical, as the Orioles sought to free roster space while keeping O’Hearn in the organization.
O’Hearn’s fortunes took a positive turn in 2023 when he returned to the majors, hitting 14 home runs for Baltimore and achieving a .289/.322/.480 line with a 118 wRC+. Although he faced challenges with a low walk rate and a high batting average on balls in play, his performance marked a significant improvement from his earlier years.
The 2024 season saw O’Hearn maintain his offensive efficiency, replicating the 118 wRC+ from the previous year while lowering his batting average on balls in play to a manageable .282. Notably, his walk rate more than doubled, hitting 9.3%. By 2025, he further enhanced his on-base skills, posting a 10.7% walk rate alongside a career-best 17 home runs. His overall batting line of .281/.366/.437 demonstrated his growing prowess at the plate, particularly against left-handed pitching.
Beyond his offensive contributions, O’Hearn has also exhibited defensive flexibility, primarily playing first base but logging significant time in the outfield over the past three seasons.
The Pirates’ decision to invest in O’Hearn signals a new direction for the franchise, which historically has been conservative in free agent spending. This marks their first multi-year contract for a free agent since 2016, when Ivan Nova signed for three years. Despite previous struggles on the field, the Pirates appear committed to rebuilding their lineup and increasing offensive production. After a disappointing 2025 season marked by a collective .231/.305/.350 batting line, the team is actively seeking to enhance its roster through both free agency and trades.
The signing of O’Hearn reflects the Pirates’ enthusiasm for revitalizing their offense and suggests an optimistic outlook for the upcoming seasons as they look to return to competitiveness in the league.