On our emergency North Shore Nine pod, we reacted to Ben Cherington’s latest “Winter of Ben” move: signing Ryan O’Hearn to a two-year deal (discussed as $29M) to add another legit MLB bat and lineup flexibility. The guys loved the fit: O’Hearn can rotate between 1B/DH and spot the corners, brings on-base skills and pop, and deepens a lineup that was too easy to pitch around. With Brandon Lowe in the mix, the Pirates are finally backing up the talk with action, but the crew stressed it can’t stop here. A right-handed bat and an answer at third base are still on the wishlist, and payroll questions linger.
Watch or listen now, then drop your take: are the Pirates one more move away from contention?
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