Pirates’ biggest offseason need might depend entirely on Ryan O’Hearn’s final two weeks

The Pittsburgh Pirates already know they need to add offense this winter. Ryan O’Hearn's final two weeks could determine just how aggressively they need to do it.

O'Hearn returned to the Pirates Friday after missing more than a month with a left quad strain. Assuming he remains healthy for the remainder of the season, Pittsburgh should get one final look at one of the few hitters on its roster who has consistently resembled a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat.

Before landing on the injured list Aug. 1, O’Hearn was batting .270/.334/.454 with 17 home runs and 69 RBI. Those numbers mattered even more within the context of a Pirates offense that has spent much of the second half searching for dependable production.

That is what makes his return so important. O'Hearn signed a two-year, $29 million deal last offseason and is already under contract for next year. Now, the Pirates are evaluating whether they can realistically build next year's lineup around his bat.

If O’Hearn returns and immediately begins driving the baseball again, Pittsburgh's offseason priorities become much clearer. The Pirates would already have a proven left-handed run producer capable of hitting in the middle of the order alongside players such as Oneil Cruz, Konnor Griffin and Esmerlyn Valdez.

That doesn't mean the Pirates should stop looking for offense. Far from it. But it could mean they don't have to spend the entire winter searching for someone to become their primary veteran run producer. They could instead focus on upgrading weaker spots in the lineup while treating O’Hearn as an established part of the offensive core.

Ryan O'Hearn could determine whether Pirates must chase another impact bat this offseason

If O'Hearn struggles, though, the equation changes considerably. He has now missed significant time, and he'll turn 34 next summer. If his power doesn't return or the bat looks diminished down the stretch, Pittsburgh cannot simply assume his first-half production will reappear in 2027.

That would leave the Pirates facing the same question that has followed them for years: Where is the proven impact bat?

Pittsburgh has some intriguing young hitters. Griffin could become a star, Cruz remains one of baseball's most dangerous talents, and Valdez has supplied legitimate power as a rookie. But potential cannot be the entire offensive plan.

The Pirates need at least one veteran hitter they can trust to produce consistently in the middle of the lineup, and O’Hearn spent the first four months of this season looking like that player. His final two weeks may determine whether Pittsburgh believes he still is — or whether finding another one becomes the biggest priority of the offseason.

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