What would a successful 2026 season look like for the Pirates?

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The Pittsburgh Pirates have been more aggressive than usual in the offseason acquiring veteran players like Brandon Lowe, Ryan O'Hearn and Jose Urquidy. These moves have made a lot of Pirates fans excited for the 2026 season, but how high should the expectations for this team really be?

Why it matters

The Pirates have struggled to find success in recent years, with their last winning season coming in 2018 and their last playoff appearance in 2015. As they look to turn things around, determining what would constitute a successful 2026 season is crucial for setting realistic expectations and measuring progress.

The details

The last time the Bucs had a winning record was in 2018 where they went 82-79. They were unable to make the playoffs that year even with the winning record. Since 2018, they have had three seasons with 60 or more wins. Their last three seasons, Pittsburgh has had 76, 76 and 71 wins, with the last two seasons resulting in last place finishes in the National League Central. The last time the Pirates made the playoffs was in 2015 where they lost in the wild card round to the Chicago Cubs. They made the playoffs for three straight seasons from 2013-2015, where they won the Wild Card Game against the Cincinnati Reds in 2013.

• The last time the Bucs had a winning record was in 2018.
• The Pirates last made the playoffs in 2015.

What’s next

Winning 80 or more games will show that the Pirates are on an uphill trajectory and are heading into the right direction. Although I don't even think they need to make the playoffs for this season to be considered successful.