7 Pirates whose 2026 performances raised more questions than they answered

The Pittsburgh Pirates accomplished something in 2026 that had eluded them for nearly a decade: finishing a season with a winning record.

Their 82-80 finish represented meaningful progress for an organization that had spent years promising better days were coming. Several young players emerged as legitimate building blocks, the offense made considerable strides, and Pittsburgh finally demonstrated that its rebuilding efforts might be producing tangible results.

But for every player who solidified his place in the Pirates' long-term plans, another entered the offseason surrounded by uncertainty. Some delivered impressive numbers that concealed significant weaknesses. Others struggled to…