4 Pirates who definitely won't be back in 2026 after disappointing season

As the Pittsburgh Pirates prepare to close the book on yet another disappointing season, their focus has already shifted toward 2026.

As they look to avoid finishing below .500 and missing the playoffs for an 11th straight year in 2026, the Pirates need next season to be about clearing dead weight and opening spots for their wave of prospects – not doubling down on players who plateaued in 2025.

With that in mind, here are four players on the Pirates' current 40-man roster who won't (or, at the very least, shouldn't) be back in 2026.

4 Pirates who definitely won't be back in 2026 after disappointing season

Tommy Pham

Tommy Pham ended up being one of the Pirates' best hitters during the second half, but he was never expected to be part of the long-term plan in Pittsburgh. He was signed to a one-year deal to add veteran leadership and stopgap production. That made sense in 2025, but not for a team still building.

Keeping Pham around would eat at-bats that should be going to younger outfielders like Nick Yorke, Billy Cook and eventually Konnor Griffin. Besides, Ben Cherington will want to create as much financial flexibility as possible this offseason. Negotiating with a 38-year-old journeyman is hardly the best way to do that.

Colin Holderman

After looking like a potential high-leverage arm in 2023–24, Colin Holderman's command and strikeout numbers dipped significantly in 2025. Walks crept up, and he was too hittable in key spots.

Given the volatility of relievers, Holderman is simply not worth a 40-man spot going into his second year of arbitration eligibility. The Pirates have younger, cheaper bullpen arms – Carmen Mlodzinski and Kyle Nicolas, for example – and prospects coming up who can fill Holderman's role at a fraction of the cost.

Cam Devanney

Cam Devanney has appeared in just 13 Major League games with the Pirates, and it's already clear why the Kansas City Royals were willing to part with him at the deadline in exchange for just half a season of Adam Frazier.

Devanney's value lies in defensive versatility, but he's a 28-year-old rookie who is hitting .118 with an OPS of .290. He doesn’t bring power, speed, or elite defense; he's just “okay” at multiple positions, which isn’t enough for a team that desperately needs offensive spark.

Jack Suwinski

Jack Suwinski still has raw power, but the strikeout issues are crippling. His strikeout rate in 2025 stayed in the 30% range, dragging his OBP and limiting consistency.

At 27 years old, Suwinski is no longer a “prospect,” and it’s clear he hasn’t made enough adjustments to Major League pitching. As he enters his first offseason of arbitration eligibility, his streaky bat simply doesn't justify everyday reps. His profile screams “change of scenery guy," and the Pirates could try to package him in a small deal or simply non-tender him in arbitration.