The offseason shopping list for the Pittsburgh Pirates includes corner outfielders and bullpen help, most likely via trade. So says Pittsburgh Post-Gazette beat writer Noah Hiles, who covered the winter meetings and came away with the impression that the Pirates are looking for a corner outfield bat, with little recognition of the need to address the bullpen. This means the Pirates aren’t yet ready to hang their hats on Billy Cook or Nick Yorke, two youngsters acquired in trades last July, or fan favorite Joshua Palacios.
My five takeaways from this year’s winter meetings: https://t.co/i68yaIwZBO
— Noah Hiles (@_NoahHiles) December 12, 2024
Pirates Need Outfielders and Bullpen Help
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington entered the offseason needing a first baseman, at least one corner outfielder, and relief pitching. The vacancy at first base was filled with the recent acquisition of Spencer Horwitz.
Last season, Bryan Reynolds was again firmly entrenched in left field, with the other two outfield spots in flux. Center field will be the domain of Oneil Cruz in 2025. In 2024, Pirates outfielders not named Reynolds or Cruz combined to hit .206/.275/.320, 33 HR, and 140 RBI. Many of those responsible for this unacceptable level of production won’t be returning to Pittsburgh in 2025. Michael A. Taylor was designated for assignment with six games remaining in the season. Edward Olivares elected minor league free agency and has since signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets. Connor Joe and Bryan De La Cruz were non-tendered.
Per his usual M.O., Cherington is tight-lipped about the progress of trade talks and is proceeding cautiously, even as the Pirates’ division rivals move swiftly to make improvements. With a dearth of credible rumors regarding the Pirates, all one can do is note who among outfielders might be available.
Who Fits?
One player rumored to be available is Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward. Ward, 30, a right-handed batter, hit .246/.323/.426, 25 HR, and 75 RBI last season. He was previously rumored to be coming to Pittsburgh at the 2024 trade deadline. He also has experience at the corner infield spots and could also serve as part of a first base platoon. He’s under club control through 2026.
Another name tossed about is Mike Yastrzemski, 34, of the San Francisco Giants. Besides being blessed with great bloodlines, as a left-handed batter he’d find PNC Park’s short right field inviting. However, in 2024, he hit a De La Cruz-like .231/.302/.437, 18 HR, and 57 RBI. Furthermore, he hasn’t hit above .233 for four years and can be a free agent after 2025. While it may not take much to pry him from the Giants, his performance might not exceed that of the outfielders who the Pirates tried and discarded in 2024.
Best Fits
The best fit may well be Wilyer Abreu, 25, of the Boston Red Sox, also said to be available. Last season, he hit .253/.322/.459, 15 HR, and 58 RBI while winning a Gold Glove Award in right field and receiving consideration for American League Rookie of the Year. As a left-handed hitter who’s controllable through 2029, he seemingly checks every box for the Pirates, not to mention that as a former employer of Cherington, the Red Sox have been a favorite trade partner.
Failing at the trade market, Cherington would have to look to available free agents. The best fit there might be Max Kepler, erstwhile right fielder of the Minnesota Twins. The left-handed hitting 31-year-old hit .253/.302/.380, 8 HR, and 42 RBI last year. But he was limited to just 105 games. He’s only a year removed from a 2023 season when he hit 24 home runs. Kepler has reached double figures in homers every time he’s played a full season, with his high being 36 in 2019.
What About the Bullpen?
It’s not as if Cherington has made no moves at all to add to the bullpen. He acquired Peter Strzelecki from the Cleveland Guardians and signed several relievers to minor-league deals. David Bednar will enter the 2025 season as the closer. However, he took a big step backward in 2024, as did normally reliable setup men Colin Holderman and Carmen Mlodzinski. Dennis Santana, picked up from the New York Yankees in June, shined with a 2.44 ERA, 0.925 WHIP, and a 21-game streak without allowing an earned run. Left-hander Joey Wentz may have discovered the key to success once he joined Pittsburgh late last season. He had a 1.50 ERA and 1.000 WHIP, albeit in a small 12-inning sample size. Dauri Moreta will be available after a year on the injured list.
Even so, it’s risky to bank on Bednar, Holderman, and Mlodzinski becoming their old selves again, Santana and Wentz duplicating last year’s success, and Moreta bouncing back after a year off. Maybe the stars will align. But it makes more sense to add a reliable reliever or two to this group.
The Last Word
This 2025 season may be Cherington’s last chance to prove he can make the deals that will elevate the Pirates into contenders. He largely failed at that task in 2024. His wait-and-see approach to the offseason has brought the likes of Taylor, Rowdy Tellez, and Yasmani Grandal to Pittsburgh. In the last two offseasons, he’s had $30 million, give or take, to spend on player acquisitions. Spreading that among several players has resulted in mediocrity. Having added a first baseman without affecting payroll greatly, Cherington needs to go big on a corner outfielder and an experienced relief pitcher or two. We’ll see whether he senses the same urgency as Pirates fans do.
Photo Credit: © Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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