3 perfectly priced free agents who can boost Pirates' offense for 2026

As always, the Pirates are working under some tight constraints this offseason. In order to build a lineup capable of backing the stellar pitching staff, Pittsburgh’s brass will need to be crafty and budget-minded while chasing offensive help. Luckily, there are a handful of bats on the free-agent market that could provide significant bang for the Pirates’ buck.

Utility player Miguel Andújar

Perhaps nothing hurts more than seeing a player you cut become a hero for a division rival. Miguel Andújar, whom the Pirates put on waivers at the end of 2023, did just that during the Reds’ surprising push into the postseason. Andújar mashed over the final months of the season and could be one of the biggest budget bats in free agency this winter thanks to his powerful performance with Cincinnati.

The Pirates don't have to spend big to make a big splash this offseason.

Andújar would be a perfect fit for the Pirates. His market value is projected as $6.1 million by Spotrac, which is a bit on the high side for Pittsburgh, but his ability to play corner infield and outfield spots, all weaknesses for the Pirates, would be worth it. As a platoon option (perhaps with Spencer Horwitz at first base), Andújar would certainly help lift the Pirates, who ranked dead last in slugging against lefties.

Utility player Chris Taylor

While Chris Taylor is a couple of years removed from his standout years with the Dodgers, the jack of all trades could fill the veteran leadership role vacated by Adam Frazier in early 2025. In the unlikely event that Andrew McCutchen doesn’t re-sign with the Pirates, Taylor would be even more valuable. Taylor was on a league-minimum deal after being cut by the Dodgers, so the chance that the Pirates could pick him up for a song is high.

Taylor does come with significant risk. He broke his left hand twice last season, and his hitting stats suffered as a result. His expected stats point to some bad luck, and his ability to slot into virtually any on-field position seems to fit the Pirates’ philosophy.

Right fielder Rob Refsnyder

Rob Refsnyder may be one of the best under-the-radar free agents this offseason. Like Andújar, he would be a platoon player against lefties, but unlike Andújar, Refsnyder has been consistently good for the past four seasons with the Red Sox. In fact, Boston picked up his club option in 2025, even though the Red Sox mostly limited him to at-bats against lefties (70 games played).

Refsnyder has the ability to play all outfield positions and the right side of the infield, but he generally starts in right field. That puts him on a collision course with Bryan Reynolds, but the Pirates could creatively work around any depth chart logjams. At the very least, Refsnyder would be an improvement over Alexander Canario, who is the current right-handed outfield platoon bat.