Why the Pirates wisely chose $29M Ryan O’Hearn and Brandon Lowe over Kyle Schwarber? MLB analyst explains the real reason

Ryan O’Hearn became a key name in the Pittsburgh Pirates offseason plans this week. On Monday, December 9, 2025, the Pirates signed the All-Star infielder to a two-year, $29 million contract in Pittsburgh. The move came after the team struggled badly at the plate during the 2025 MLB season.

The Pirates finished last in Major League Baseball in runs scored, home runs, slugging percentage, and OPS. With those numbers in mind, the front office chose balance over a blockbuster move. Instead of landing superstar Kyle Schwarber, Pittsburgh focused on adding steady hitters who can improve the lineup every day.

Ryan O’Hearn praised as smart Pittsburgh Pirates signing after Kyle Schwarber miss

MLB insider Dejan Kovacevic explained the thinking behind the Ryan O’Hearn deal on the DK Pittsburgh Sports podcast, released Tuesday, December 10, 2025.

Speaking from Pittsburgh, Kovacevic said the Pirates picked the right path after failing to sign Kyle Schwarber earlier this offseason.

“It’s a nice pickup,” Kovacevic said around the 3:00 mark of the show. “Ryan O’Hearn is a welcome addition. I like this idea more than chasing one big bat. You get Brandon Lowe, you get Ryan O’Hearn, and those runs start adding up.”

O’Hearn, who is 32 years old, earned his first All-Star selection in 2025. Last season, he hit .281 with a .366 on-base percentage and a .437 slugging percentage.

His 128 wRC+ showed strong, steady production rather than streaky power. This signing also made history for the franchise.

O’Hearn became the first free agent to receive a multi-year deal from the Pirates in nine years. That fact alone shows a clear shift in how the team is trying to rebuild.



The Ryan O’Hearn signing followed another important move. On December 2, 2025, the Pirates traded for second baseman Brandon Lowe from the Tampa Bay Rays. Together, the two infielders now form the core of Pittsburgh’s offseason hitting upgrades.

ESPN analyst Bradford Doolittle praised the approach during an ESPN radio segment aired Wednesday, December 11, 2025.

“With Ryan O’Hearn and Brandon Lowe,” Doolittle said, “Pittsburgh is building a real major league lineup. This kind of progress can put them in the playoff conversation by 2026.”

Brandon Lowe brings more power to the infield. In the 2025 season with Tampa Bay, he hit 31 home runs, the second-highest total of his career. That performance earned him his second All-Star selection.

While O’Hearn adds patience and contact, Lowe adds pop. Together, they support a Pirates pitching staff that already shows promise. For Pittsburgh, it is not about one star anymore. It is about fixing problems step by step.

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