4 dream free agent signings Pirates can still make to shock MLB during dead offseason

The Pittsburgh Pirates' offseason has been a weird one. The club promised a spending spree, and while they've landed some truly impactful upgrades, the payroll has yet to truly soar. That isn't for lack of trying. Pittsburgh has been in the mix for a number of impactful free agents, like Kyle Schwarber early on, and with Kazuma Okamoto being the latest to reject their advances.

It's not all doom and gloom, though. The upgrades the team has landed are significant floor raisers, and the offseason as a whole has moved at a snail's pace, leaving many prime targets waiting for a dance partner. There are four in particular who stand out as prime fits for the Pirates, both in terms of filling holes and vaulting the team into true contender status.

Four splashy free agent signings the Pirates can still make to have a dream offseason

Bo Bichette

At face value, Bo Bichette doesn't fit the Pirates' roster. The longtime shortstop has become so bad defensively at the position that he's come out and told teams he'd be willing to move to second base in order to drum up interest. Pittsburgh needs help on the left side of the infield, though shortstop will ultimately be Konnor Griffin's for the taking. The club also just acquired a new second baseman in Brandon Lowe, and has two quality options at first base with Ryan O'Hearn and Spencer Horwitz. It would seem that Bichette doesn't fit.

However, Lowe is a free agent after the 2026 season. The Pirates could then theoretically sign Bichette to play short, giving Griffin another year of seasoning, then let Lowe walk next offseason, sending Bichette to second and clearing the way for Griffin in 2027. Or, the club could find that Horwitz is more like his first half performance in 2025, when he posted a .628 OPS, versus his second half run when he recorded a .916 mark. At that point, Lowe could move to first or DH (whichever spot O'Hearn isn't occupying), opening up second for Bichette and shortstop for Griffin.

The positional logistics don't matter much. What does matter is getting a player who has the ability to hit both 20-plus home runs and bat .300 into their lineup, and then let the rest work itself out. Bichette is also a rare find on the free agent market, given his youth. He turns 28 on March 5, making him only about seven months older than Oneil Cruz. That's the kind of free agent whose prime will coincide with the rise of Pittsburgh's top prospects, and exactly the type of free agent the club should be looking to sign.

Alex Bregman

Alex Bregman is entering his age-32 season, seeking a long-term deal, and has played for contenders like the Houston Astros and the Boston Red Sox his entire MLB career. So why would he want to come to Pittsburgh?

It all comes down to money. It seems like Bregman's market is picking up steam, but that could all be a mirage. The Red Sox made him an "aggressive offer" but haven't come close to giving him the long-term security he desires. The Arizona Diamondbacks have been rumored to be in the mix, but the assumption is they would only sign Bregman if they could trade Ketel Marte, which is looking less and less likely as the winter marches on. The Toronto Blue Jays were mentioned, but that was before coming to terms with Okamoto. Lastly, the Detroit Tigers, who made Bregman a six-year offer last winter, are thought to only get involved if his price drops significantly.

If Pittsburgh met his price, Bregman would have to strongly consider it, especially if no one else is willing to give him what he wants. He'd solidify the hot corner and provide valuable veteran leadership for the young core. In fact, the Pirates could even prove to be a team he could win with, especially as the youngsters blossom and Bregman settles into old age.

Ranger Suarez

Starting pitching might seem to be the least of Pittsburgh's concerns, but when you look at the Pirates' rotation, you'll find that it is entirely right-handed. Signing a veteran southpaw like Ranger Suarez would help break up the monotony.

Additionally, bringing a proven innings-eater into the fold will help, as the Pirates will be counting on Bubba Chandler to make the leap and Braxton Ashcraft to prove he can hold up in the rotation full-time. Suarez also could bump Carmen Mlodzinski back to the bullpen, where he's posted a 2.71 ERA versus his 4.47 mark as a starter, effectively killing two birds with one stone.

Suarez is a throw-back to the crafty lefties of yore, making him an interesting change of pace from the high-octane repertoires that guys like Paul Skenes dominate with, allowing them to play off each other at the top of the rotation to even greater effect. At 30, he's still relatively young, and he's seen his market develop slowly, which could have the Pirates landing him at a lower-than-expected price.

Eugenio Suarez

Unlike the other three, Eugenio Suarez has commonly been linked to the Pirates, and for good reason. He would solve the need at the hot corner in the same way that Bregman does, but he also provides a hefty dose of right-handed power that is still lacking in Pittsburgh's lineup.

Suarez is known for being a leader and vibes-raiser in every clubhouse he's played in, which is also important for a young team like the Pirates. At his age, he fits firmly within the budget and wouldn't require an overly long commitment either.

Signing Suarez would mean no Bregman, but the 34-year-old is the most likely of all the remaining free agents to wind up with the Pirates. Adding a 49-homer bat to the mix is nothing you say no to.