This story was excerpted from Alex Stumpf’s Pirates Beat publication. To learn the complete publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it frequently in your inbox.
After failing to enhance on their 76-86 report from 2023, the Pirates will enter a pivotal offseason with loads of questions. Listed below are 5 of essentially the most burning ones as they start to look in direction of ’25.
1. Who will likely be their hitting and bullpen coaches?
Let’s begin with a few adjustments we all know will must be made. The Pirates are shifting on from hitting coach Andy Haines and bullpen coach Justin Meccage after the hitters and relievers typically underproduced in 2024, ending twenty seventh within the Majors in group OPS (.672) and reliever ERA (4.49).
There are lots of gifted pitching coaches by the Pirates’ system — like Cibney Bello and Drew Benes with Triple-A Indianapolis, for instance — in the event that they go for some familiarity as they graduate extra younger pitchers to the Majors. Pittsburgh might be greatest off with an exterior rent for hitting coach, and the membership should discover somebody who can assist maximize their younger hitters making the bounce to the Majors.
2. How do you repair the bullpen?
Basic supervisor Ben Cherington stated he believes David Bednar might be the Pirates’ nearer subsequent 12 months. Bednar’s return to All-Star kind can be higher than any exterior transfer the Pirates might make to enhance their bullpen, however what number of eggs can they put in that basket? Can they half with Aroldis Chapman, who can shut if crucial, with Bednar as a query mark?
There’s additionally a depth downside. Dennis Santana was an awesome midseason pickup, however the Pirates didn’t have a lot consistency from their different center or leverage relievers like Colin Holderman, Carmen Mlodzinski and Kyle Nicolas. Dauri Moreta ought to be again from Tommy John surgical procedure midseason, however Pittsburgh wants extra pitchers it will probably flip to in leverage spots. The membership additionally additionally wants a top quality lefty specialist, a chunk that was lacking this previous season.
The Pirates could make minor trades or a signing or two to enhance the depth, but when they’re on the lookout for guys who can pitch the seventh and eighth, will they make one other splash like they did with Chapman?
3. What do you do at first base?
The offense’s points lengthen past first base, nevertheless it’s been a difficulty for a number of years now.
The Pirates have a few gamers on the 40-man roster who might play first base — specifically Billy Cook dinner, Jared Triolo, Connor Joe and Endy Rodríguez — however none scream “on a regular basis possibility.” Cook dinner’s outfield glovework was excellent in his month within the Majors (six Defensive Runs Saved), so he’s in all probability suited higher there. Joe struggled within the second half of the season, Triolo’s defensive versatility is a large plus for him and Rodríguez is working to come back again as a catcher.
Bryan Reynolds took infield drills with a first-base glove a number of instances all through September, and whereas Cherington stated the group will likely be open-minded to doubtlessly shifting him to first, they haven’t had any formal discussions.
The free-agent marketplace for first basemen is skinny. If the Pirates need to add an influence participant to this group, it may need to be by way of commerce.
Joey Bart was a nice shock, hitting 13 dwelling runs with a .799 OPS in 80 video games performed. Does that make him the beginning catcher subsequent 12 months? Rodríguez ought to be wholesome, and it’s nonetheless too quickly to shut the guide on Henry Davis.
It will in all probability be sorted out extra over the course of Spring Coaching, however every of those gamers might theoretically transfer to a different place too. Davis has some right-field expertise, Rodríguez might transfer to first and it’s not unreasonable to imagine Bart might transfer too, if crucial. Taking part in time might be sorted out later, however how a lot enjoying alternative ought to the Pirates allocate to their catchers?
5. How aggressive will they be?
Time will inform right here. Free company hasn’t began and the commerce market is just about non-existent till November. However 2025 goes to be a pivotal season. Will the Pirates make a splash within the free-agent market or hear on commerce gives for prime prospects? They have been keen to deal from their starting-pitching depth on the Commerce Deadline to attempt to bolster their offensive choices. Will they do this once more, and in that case, do they up the ante?
There are holes at first base, the bullpen and perhaps shortstop or the outfield, relying how this offseason goes. The Pirates have inside choices, but when they need to get higher, it’s going to take including gamers too.
