Pirates Reportedly Avoid Arbitration By Reaching Deals With 4 Players

The Pittsburgh Pirates won’t go to arbitration this offseason after reportedly reaching agreements with all eligible players.

Pittsburgh avoided arbitration with four players before Thursday’s deadline. Oneil Cruz, Dennis Santana, Joey Bart and Justin Lawrene will return in 2026 without an arbitration hearing determining their salary.

FanSided’s Robert Murray reported that the Pirates and Cruz agreed to a $3.3 million contract for his first of three arbitration-eligible years. MLB Trade Rumors projected a $3.6 million deal for the toolsy outfielder.

MLB.com’s Alex Stumpf reported the three other one-year deals. Santana agreed to a $3.5 million contract, Bart signed for $2.53 million and Lawrence signed for $1.225 million.

Cruz might have netted a better payday if he played up to his immense upside, but he paired his 20 home runs and 38 stolen bases with a .200/.298/.378 slash line and career-worst 86 weighted runs created plus. The 6-foot-7 masher batted .177 with four homers in 50 second-half games and registered a troubling .400 OPS against left-handed pitchers, making 2026 a pivotal season for the 27-year-old.

Santana emerged as Pittsburgh’s most reliable relief pitcher, recording a 2.18 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in 70 appearances. The right-hander slid seamlessly into the closer role after the Pirates traded David Bednar, tallying 16 saves. He earned a raise over last season’s $1.4 million salary and has one more year of arbitration eligibility remaining.

Lawrence spent most of the 2025 season sidelined with a right elbow injury, but he excelled when healthy. The 31-year-old reliever allowed just one run over 17 1/3 innings, notching 23 strikeouts to eight walks and nine hits.

After showing signs of a post-hype breakout in 2024, Bart’s power backslid with just four home runs in 332 plate appearances. The catcher nevertheless wielded a 1.3 fWAR for the second straight season on the strength of a .355 on-base percentage buoyed by a career-high 12.0 walk percentage.

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