GM: Ben Cherington · partial season
Ranks vs the 30 teams in 2026, or a custom range (defaults to every team-season since 1985, when our data starts).
Each position shows its top 3 by games (top = starter) — click "+more" for the rest. The letter is bats/throws; ⇄ marks a player traded mid-season. Starters are ranked by WAR, bullpen by holds; ★ marks the closer (most save chances). MLB Stats API.
| Player | fWAR |
|---|---|
| Brandon Lowe | 3.6 |
| Mason Montgomery | 1.8 |
| Jake Mangum | 1.5 |
| Gregory Soto | 1.3 |
| Konnor Griffin | 1.1 |
| Jared Jones | 1.1 |
| Player | 2025 fWAR |
|---|---|
| Mike Burrows | 1.3 |
| David Bednar | 1.3 |
| Ke'Bryan Hayes | 0.7 |
| Caleb Ferguson | 0.7 |
| Isiah Kiner-Falefa | 0.7 |
| Bailey Falter | 0.6 |
WAR translated into tier-adjusted market value, then compared with what the player was paid by Pirates. Guaranteed contracts from the 2015-present contract-data period use the known contract period through 2026; everyone else is shown as a 2026 season snapshot.
| Player | Period | fWAR | Tier Market $M | Paid $M | Surplus $M | $ / WAR | Tier | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Skenes | 2026 | +4.8 | +83.7 | 1.1 | +82.6 | $0.2M | 2.19× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $1.1M AAV |
| Braxton Ashcraft | 2026 | +3.9 | +68.9 | 0.8 | +68.1 | $0.2M | 2.19× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Bryan Reynolds | 2023–2026 | +8.2 | +79.5 | 43.8 | +35.8 | $5.4M | 1.22× | Arb extension · 2023–2031 · $13.3M AAV |
| Mitch Keller | 2024–2026 | +5.9 | +69.7 | 38.2 | +31.5 | $6.5M | 1.49× | Arb extension · 2024–2028 · $15.4M AAV |
| Mason Montgomery | 2026 | +2.0 | +32.0 | 0.8 | +31.2 | $0.4M | 1.95× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Oneil Cruz | 2026 | +2.6 | +32.8 | 3.3 | +29.5 | $1.3M | 1.60× | Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $3.3M AAV |
| Brandon Lowe | 2026 | +4.2 | +40.6 | 11.5 | +29.1 | $2.7M | 1.20× | Pre-arb extension · 2019–2024 · $4.0M AAV |
| Bubba Chandler | 2026 | +2.3 | +27.4 | 0.8 | +26.6 | $0.3M | 1.49× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Jake Mangum | 2026 | +1.7 | +17.0 | 0.8 | +16.2 | $0.5M | 1.22× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Nick Gonzales | 2026 | +2.3 | +15.9 | 0.8 | +15.1 | $0.3M | 0.85× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Carmen Mlodzinski | 2026 | +1.8 | +14.0 | 0.8 | +13.2 | $0.4M | 0.98× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Jared Jones | 2026 | +1.3 | +10.3 | 0.8 | +9.5 | $0.6M | 1.02× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Gregory Soto | 2026 | +1.5 | +15.7 | 7.8 | +7.9 | $5.3M | 1.34× | Free Agent · 2026–2026 · $7.8M AAV |
| Endy Rodríguez | 2026 | +1.3 | +5.6 | 0.6 | +5.0 | $0.4M | 0.52× | – |
| Konnor Griffin | 2026 | +1.3 | +6.4 | 2.3 | +4.1 | $1.8M | 0.61× | Pre-arb extension · 2026–2034 · $15.6M AAV |
| Yohan Ramírez | 2026 | +0.9 | +4.9 | 0.8 | +4.1 | $0.9M | 0.67× | Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Evan Sisk | 2026 | +0.6 | +3.3 | 0.7 | +2.6 | $1.2M | 0.67× | – |
| Jared Triolo | 2026 | +0.6 | +2.8 | 0.8 | +2.0 | $1.4M | 0.61× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Rafael Flores Jr. | 2026 | +0.7 | +2.8 | 0.8 | +2.0 | $1.2M | 0.52× | – |
| Wilber Dotel | 2026 | +0.5 | +2.4 | 0.6 | +1.9 | $1.3M | 0.67× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Luke Weaver↔ | 2026 | +0.3 | +3.1 | 1.5 | +1.6 | $5.2M | 1.34× | Free Agent · 2026–2027 · $11.0M AAV |
| Isaac Mattson | 2026 | +0.3 | +1.7 | 0.2 | +1.5 | $0.7M | 0.67× | – |
| Spencer Horwitz | 2026 | +0.4 | +1.9 | 0.8 | +1.1 | $1.9M | 0.56× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Brandon Eisert↔ | 2026 | +0.1 | +0.8 | 0.1 | +0.6 | $0.9M | 0.67× | – |
| Henry Davis | 2026 | +0.3 | +1.4 | 0.8 | +0.6 | $2.4M | 0.52× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Hunter Stratton↔ | 2026 | +0.1 | +0.3 | 0.0 | +0.3 | $0.1M | 0.67× | – |
| Cam Sanders↔ | 2026 | -0.1 | -0.3 | 0.0 | -0.4 | – | 0.67× | – |
| Ron Marinaccio↔ | 2026 | -0.1 | -0.3 | 0.1 | -0.4 | – | 0.67× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Chris Devenski↔ | 2026 | -0.0 | -0.2 | 0.4 | -0.6 | – | 0.67× | Free Agent · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| José Urquidy↔ | 2026 | +0.0 | +0.2 | 0.8 | -0.6 | $23.9M | 0.67× | – |
| Lake Bachar↔ | 2026 | -0.1 | -0.5 | 0.1 | -0.6 | – | 0.67× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Joey Bart↔ | 2026 | +0.1 | +0.5 | 1.2 | -0.7 | $10.2M | 0.52× | Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $2.5M AAV |
| Davis Wendzel | 2026 | -0.1 | -0.5 | 0.8 | -1.3 | – | 0.56× | – |
| Nick Yorke | 2026 | -0.3 | -1.3 | 0.0 | -1.4 | – | 0.58× | – |
| Camilo Doval↔ | 2026 | -0.0 | -0.3 | 1.4 | -1.7 | – | 1.34× | Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $6.1M AAV |
| Justin Lawrence↔ | 2026 | -0.2 | -1.1 | 0.8 | -1.9 | – | 0.67× | Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $1.2M AAV |
| Tyler Callihan | 2026 | -0.2 | -1.1 | 0.8 | -1.9 | – | 0.83× | – |
| Billy Cook | 2026 | -0.3 | -1.8 | 0.2 | -2.0 | – | 0.83× | – |
| Hunter Barco | 2026 | -0.6 | -3.2 | 0.1 | -3.3 | – | 0.67× | – |
| Dennis Santana↔ | 2026 | -0.4 | -2.2 | 3.1 | -5.3 | – | 0.67× | Arbitration · 2026–2026 · $3.5M AAV |
| Jhostynxon Garcia | 2026 | -0.8 | -5.2 | 0.5 | -5.7 | – | 0.83× | Pre-arbitration · 2026–2026 · $0.8M AAV |
| Ryan O'Hearn | 2026 | +0.8 | +3.6 | 14.0 | -10.4 | $17.5M | 0.56× | Free Agent · 2026–2027 · $14.5M AAV |
| Marcell Ozuna | 2026 | -1.2 | -6.4 | 10.5 | -16.9 | – | 0.69× | Free Agent · 2026–2027 · $12.0M AAV |
| Kirby Yates↔ | 2026 | +0.1 | +1.5 | 1.5 | +0.0 | $10.5M | 1.34× | Free Agent · 2026–2026 · $5.0M AAV |
| Noah Murdock | 2026 | +0.0 | +0.2 | – | – | – | 0.67× | – |
| Ronny Simon | 2026 | -0.1 | -0.4 | – | – | – | 0.69× | – |
| Total | — | +46.4 | +526.1 | 157.6 | +368.6 | — | ||
Every graded 2026 deal involving the Pirates — best expected value first. Surplus is realized value in $M; 19 total.
What the front office was committed to as of 2026, 2026–2032. Guaranteed $ are contract commitments signed by 2026; arbitration & free-agent years are projected from service time. Hover a figure for its luxury-tax (CBT) & actual-cash values.
| 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2032 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tax threshold | $244M | $247M | $250M | $253M | $256M | $259M | $262M |
| Guaranteed contracts | $90M | $71M | $44M | $29M | $29M | $29M | |
| Proj. arbitration | $11M | ||||||
| Proj. pre-arbitration | $12M | ||||||
| Player benefits | $18M | $18M | $18M | $18M | $18M | $18M | |
| Total CBT payroll | $131M | $89M | $62M | $47M | $47M | $47M | |
| Tax space | +$113M | +$158M | +$188M | +$206M | +$209M | +$212M | |
| Est. tax bill | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Luxury-tax (CBT) basis: contract AAV + ~$18M benefits/bonus-pool — distinct from the base-salary payroll above. Threshold is the CBA line. Tier-1 payor rates on the overage. Forward years show only guaranteed deals (arb/pre-arb not yet set). Figures are estimates.
| Player | Age | Svc | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2032 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitch Keller | 30 | 6.026 | $16.9M | $18.4M | $20.4M | FREE AGENT | |||
| Bryan Reynolds | 31 | 6.163 | $14.2M | $15.2M | $15.2M | $15.2M | $15.2M | $20.0MCLUB | FREE AGENT |
| Ryan O'Hearn | 32 | 7.002 | $14.0M | $15.0M | FREE AGENT | ||||
| Brandon Lowe | 31 | 7.058 | $11.5MCLUB | FREE AGENT | |||||
| Marcell Ozuna | 35 | 12.124 | $10.5M | $16.0MMUTUAL | FREE AGENT | ||||
| Gregory Soto | 31 | 6.102 | $7.8M | FREE AGENT | |||||
| Konnor Griffin | 20 | – | $2.3M | $3.3M | $5.3M | $7.3M | $13.8M | $22.3M | $27.8M |
| Luke Weaver | 32 | 8.112 | $1.5M | $12.5M | FREE AGENT | ||||
| Kirby Yates | 39 | 11.021 | $1.5M | FREE AGENT | |||||
| José Urquidy | 31 | 6.049 | $833k | FREE AGENT | |||||
| Chris Devenski | 35 | 7.115 | $412k | FREE AGENT |
| Player | Age | Svc | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2032 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oneil Cruz | 27 | 3.110 | $3.3M | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |||
| Dennis Santana | 30 | 5.126 | $3.1M | FREE AGENT | |||||
| Camilo Doval | 28 | 4.071 | $1.4M | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | ||||
| Joey Bart | 29 | 4.020 | $1.2M | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | ||||
| Yohan Ramírez | 31 | 3.135 | $825k | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |||
| Justin Lawrence | 31 | 3.167 | $761k | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Player | Age | Svc | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | 2030 | 2031 | 2032 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Skenes | 24 | 2.000 | $1.1M | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | ||
| Davis Wendzel | 29 | 0.070 | $850k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Tyler Callihan | 26 | 0.152 | $820k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Rafael Flores Jr. | 25 | 0.013 | $820k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Jared Triolo | 28 | 2.071 | $819k | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | ||
| Carmen Mlodzinski | 27 | 2.081 | $807k | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | ||
| Spencer Horwitz | 28 | 1.152 | $802k | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |
| Nick Gonzales | 27 | 2.018 | $802k | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | ||
| Jared Jones | 24 | 2.000 | $802k | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | ||
| Henry Davis | 26 | 2.037 | $800k | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | ||
| Jake Mangum | 30 | 1.000 | $800k | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |
| Braxton Ashcraft | 26 | 0.126 | $795k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Mason Montgomery | 26 | 1.021 | $793k | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |
| Bubba Chandler | 23 | 0.038 | $787k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Evan Sisk | 29 | 0.060 | $732k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Endy Rodríguez | 26 | 2.077 | $605k | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | ||
| Wilber Dotel | 23 | – | $580k | ||||||
| Jhostynxon Garcia | 23 | 0.009 | $546k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Isaac Mattson | 30 | 0.150 | $242k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Billy Cook | 27 | 0.025 | $234k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Lake Bachar | 31 | 1.021 | $138k | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |
| Brandon Eisert | 28 | 1.034 | $134k | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |
| Hunter Barco | 25 | 0.006 | $88k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Ron Marinaccio | 30 | 2.064 | $79k | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | ||
| Nick Yorke | 24 | 0.042 | $42k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Cam Sanders | 29 | 0.037 | $19k | Pre-Arb | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT |
| Hunter Stratton | 29 | 1.071 | $6k | Pre-Arb | ARB 1 | ARB 2 | ARB 3 | FREE AGENT | |
| Noah Murdock | 27 | – | — | ||||||
| Ronny Simon | 26 | – | — |
How each 2026 acquisition stacked onto Pirates's playoff-odds curve. The side table is ranked by PPA.