Ben Deihl | sports editor

Thousands of Pittsburgh Pirates fans funneled into David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Saturday afternoon, eager to find their way into this year’s Pirates Fest, an annual kickoff to baseball season filled with events, food, carnival games, memorabilia and chances to meet and greet with some of the most important people in Pirates baseball.

The main attraction to Pirates Fest was the center stage, where Team President Travis Williams, General Manager Ben Cherington and Manager Don Kelly spoke to fans, answering questions both submitted before the event and live as microphones were handed out to a crowd hundreds of fans deep.

One fan, justifiably frustrated with the recent downfall of Pirates baseball, asked how the team would be held accountable after yet another midseason collapse.

“Accountability means understanding,” Kelly said. “We had very clear and hard discussions internally to make sure that we understood where we need to make adjustments and where the opportunities are, and being able to make those adjustments, which we believe we have done.”

In 2025, the Pirates franchise fell below a .500 winning percentage for the first time since 1903 after a midseason loss to the Minnesota Twins. While the team was able to even their franchise record at 10,910-10,910, winning has not come easy recently in the Steel City.

The last time the Pirates had a winning season was in 2018, with their last playoff appearance occurring over a decade ago in 2015. Now in 2026, Pittsburgh’s front office is telling fans they’re ready for a complete 180.

“We have a very clear understanding and goal of making the playoffs,” Kelly said. “It’s not building a team towards it, it’s not trying to get better at winning. It’s making the playoffs. A very clear, stated goal.”

The panel was filled with questions asking about Pittsburgh’s expectations for the year, what the front office is doing to improve the team and how the Pirates plan to approach locking down key players like Skenes, cementing the fact that so many passionate fans just want to see their beloved Pirates win again.

It’s clear that Pittsburgh’s front office is ready to bring a winning mentality back to the city that was once the city of champions. The team has already made huge moves in 2026, and there’s still two months left in the offseason.

Most recently, Pittsburgh signed free agent first baseman and designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn to a two-year deal, the team’s first multi-year free agency signing since Ivan Nova inked a three-year deal in 2016.

Still, with the moves Pittsburgh has made so far this winter, it seems like the ownership and management has had a change of heart. With multiple quality free agents like Eugenio Suarez still hanging in the air, the Pirates could make another move before opening day to bolster their squad.

“We want to continue to add bats and power to the lineup,” Cherington said, “and continue to find a way to add to the pitching staff. We’re going to continue to be aggressive to find ways to improve the team with what we think makes sense for the Pirates in 2026 and beyond. As long as someone’s still a free agent, we have a chance.”

Additionally, the Pirates engaged in a three-team trade to pick up second baseman Brandon Lowe and relief pitcher Mason Montgomery from the Tampa Bay Rays, giving Pittsburgh some much-needed help in the middle infield and the bullpen.

Pittsburgh was also able to tie down their young superstars in O’Neil Cruz, Joey Bart and Dennis Santana for another year, avoiding arbitration before a long-term deal is discussed.

Spending money has been Pittsburgh’s biggest issue in recent memory, as the team, under owner Bob Nutting, have not been willing to shell out large contracts to their star players, and fans are getting fed up with the cheapskates.

“He’s got to spend more money,” fan John Clawson said. “If he’s willing to spend a bit more and not take as much, they’d get better. He certainly won’t go hungry. He’s got to get it in his mind he’s got to pay Skenes and a bunch of young superstars.”

Pittsburgh fans are still hopeful to see the Pirates field a winning team despite the recent struggles. Clawson and other fans aren’t asking for much, other than to be competitive and bring the pride of Pittsburgh back. The discussions and opportunities provided by Pirates Fest gives fans like Clawson a chance to believe.

“A World Series once a decade would be nice, maybe every two,” Clawson said. “I don’t want to be greedy. But I at least want to see the Pirates in the playoffs.”

Ben Deihl can be reached at deihlb1@duq.edu