The Pittsburgh Pirates enter the offseason as one of the most polarizing teams.

Armed with an ascending starting rotation, including budding star Paul Skenes, how the Pirates improve their offense and bullpen will determine how good they can be in 2025. Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller predicted that the Pirates would take another step back, going 74-88. and finish in last place for a second consecutive season.

“After six straight seasons with a winning percentage below .470, are the Pirates finally ready to spend/shine?” Miller writes. “The last time they had a young ace, they surrounded Gerrit Cole with enough talent to make the playoffs for three straight years. A big upgrade in the lineup might be all they need to get there Paul Skenes.”

If the Pirates if they missed the playoffs, it would extend their streak of missing playoffs to 10 years. Pittsburgh’s current drought is the second longest in baseball, behind the Los Angeles Angels.

If the Pirates want to get out of the National League Central cellar, they need to add an impact stick or two this offseason, whether by signing a free agent or making a trade. The Bleacher Report also named the The Pirates are one of the best landing spots for Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernández..

A player like Hernández or Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker would be exactly what Pittsburgh needed after its offense finished in the bottom 10 in nearly every major hitter category. Whether or not owner Bob Nutting is willing to spend the money to sign a player of his caliber is a major question mark.

THE PiratesThe biggest free agent signing in franchise history is left-handed pitcher Francisco Liriano, who they signed to a 3-year, $39 million contract in 2014.

If Pittsburgh doesn’t add proven bats or reliable bullpen arms, it could very well finish in last place again. And if the Pirates miss the playoffs again, it could mean the end of the current regime.

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