Pirates' roster crunch could make Spencer Horwitz the odd man out in 2027

The Pirates acquired Spencer Horwitz via trade two years ago, and Pittsburgh still isn’t quite sure what kind of player he is. Before he took the field for a regular-season game with the Pirates, Horwitz landed on the IL and underwent wrist surgery. Then, in 2026, he missed considerable time due to a hamstring strain and a concussion. In the meantime, he may have lost his roster spot and become expendable.

When he finally returned to the lineup, Horwitz struggled at the plate, posting a .464 OPS. To get the most out of the lineup from top to bottom, the Pirates need better production from the first base position.

Enter Ryan O’Hearn.

A better defender at first, a more consistent batter, and a vocal leader in the clubhouse, O’Hearn is an upgrade over Horwitz in every way. He’s also a terrible outfielder and needs to be placed in a position to succeed as often as possible, meaning slotting in at first or DH. Horwitz, then, may be left out in the cold.

Spencer Horwitz may find himself squeezed out of playing time with the Pirates in 2027

O’Hearn also fills a similar role at the plate as Horwitz. Both bat from the left side of the plate and prefer to pull the ball in the air, which isn’t exactly the most successful strategy at PNC Park with the Clemente Wall in right field. The Pirates’ lineup is already fairly lefty heavy with Oneil Cruz and Brandon Lowe (if he returns) also batting left and Bryan Reynolds switch-hitting.

All this must be incredibly frustrating for Horwitz, who started the 2026 season as one of Pittsburgh’s best hitters. He landed on the IL with an .842 OPS. Even with the injuries, he played more games in 2026 than he has in any other season and posted similar raw numbers in terms of home runs and RBIs. Perhaps, then, the Pirates should bet on his health and find a way to get him into the lineup alongside O’Hearn.

Second base becomes the move here. Lowe is a free agent, and while the Pirates would be substantially better by bringing him back, Ben Cherington already seems to be making peace with a Lowe-less lineup. Horwitz manned the position with the Blue Jays in 2024, and although he wasn’t exactly good at the job, the role gives him an opportunity to show the Pirates exactly what kind of player he is without sacrificing O’Hearn’s bat in the lineup.

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