Pirates get 2026 season projection that is unfortunately realistic originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates are having a very fun 2026 season so far, as they’ve gone 28-26 on the season following their Memorial Day win over the Chicago Cubs.
However, the Pirates, despite this progress and the production from Brandon Lowe, Ryan O’Hearn, Konnor Griffin, and others, still have some big needs to address looking into the future.
And those needs have USA Today’s Bob Nightengale handing out an unfortunate, but also realistic projection for the 2026 season for the Pirates.
Pirates receive unfortunate but realistic 2026 projection
“Yet, with the NL Central being much stronger than expected, they’re going to need even more offensive help if they’re going to be hanging in the playoff race by July,” Nightengale writes. “Realistically, they’re still a year away.”
The Pirates have been one of the more fun teams in MLB this season, and, understandably, Pirates fans are very optimistic about their team.
With the trade deadline starting to come into focus, there has been talk about the Pirates going out and adding a new hitter or two to become more legitimate postseason contenders.
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But, in reality, the Pirates are better off being conservative at the trade deadline, as the Pirates are likely a year away from being serious contenders rather than being one trade deadline pickup away.
Some players would provide a significant spark for this roster if acquired, but the Pirates are likely a year away from being a legitimate threat for the postseason.
It’s a tough NL Central, and the Pirates have some young players like Griffin getting their feet wet in the Majors right now. The 2026 season has been fun, but it’s more likely that the 2027 season, with a further strengthened offense, will be the Pirates’ year.
Nightengale is projecting that the Pirates are still one year away. While it’s frustrating for Pirates fans, it’s also a realistic projection with the clear needs littered across the roster.
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