The Pirates have yet to add to a poor outfield that continues to underachieve offensively.
The Pittsburgh Pirates once again watched a potential outfield addition find a new home on Saturday.
According to multiple reports, Miami Marlins outfielder Jazz Chisholm has been traded to the New York Yankees for a package including catcher Agustin Ramirez.
MLB Pipeline regards Ramirez as the Yankees’ 20th-best prospect, while Baseball America placed him 3rd on their updated organization list Friday. Chisholm, 26, hit .249 in 101 games this season for the Marlins and recorded 14 doubles, 13 home runs, 50 RBIs and 22 steals in South Beach.
Chisholm made the most sense for the Pirates as a controllable outfielder with years of control, something treated like gold for a small-market organization. Seeing Chisholm traded to the Yankees, a team that reportedly worried how he’d fit in a major market and in the clubhouse, is puzzling and frustrating all in one. Jack Suwinski (.184) and Michael A. Taylor (.200) continue to struggle and no end is in sight.
Where do the Pirates go from here? Few known sellers are eager to trade pieces outside of the state of Florida, where four trades have been completed in the past three days. Outside of the Marlins, Rays, A’s, Angels, Rockies, and White Sox, the cupboard is nearly empty.
Brent Rooker is the best bat on the market but plays exclusively as a DH and isn’t great in the outfield. Rooker is a star bat and a late bloomer at 29 years old. Rooker’s .288 average, .948 OPS, 25 home runs, and 72 RBIs tell the story of a potential difference maker for a wild card team in the thick of a playoff chase.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported Friday the Pirates, Astros, and Mariners are interested in Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz. A 2023 All-Star, Diaz is hitting .272 with 21 doubles, eight home runs, 46 RBIs, and a .722 OPS. The 32-year-old remains under contract through next season and includes a team option for 2026.
A’s outfielder JJ Bleday along with a pair of Nationals outfielders (Lane Thomas and Jesse Winker) are becoming more likely alternatives than a big fish like Chisholm or Luis Robert, leaving Pirates fans significantly disappointed and once again scratching their heads to see if Ben Cherington will make a big move before the deadline.