This story was excerpted from Alex Stumpf’s Pirates Beat e-newsletter. To learn the total e-newsletter, click on right here. And subscribe to get it commonly in your inbox.
The 2024-25 offseason is correct across the nook, and loads of eyes are going to be on the Pirates as they enter a pivotal season. Let’s check out a number of the most essential dates and roster questions as we method the winter.
The Pirates presently have 5 gamers on their 40-man roster who will likely be free brokers, and one veteran with a membership possibility that can certainly be declined. Andrew McCutchen, Aroldis Chapman, Jalen Beeks, Ryan Borucki and Yasmani Grandal are on expiring offers, and whereas Marco Gonzales’ contract has a $15 million membership possibility, it’s unlikely to be picked up since he’s anticipated to overlook many of the 2025 season.
In fact McCutchen is the most important title right here, establishing himself as one of many best Pirates in franchise historical past. There doesn’t appear to be a lot drama on if a return goes to occur, both. McCutchen reaffirmed on the finish of the season he needed to return, and common supervisor Ben Cherington mentioned earlier this month that, “we would like to discover a manner for Andrew to complete his profession in a Pirates uniform.” He ought to come again.
No free agent is predicted to be prolonged a qualifying provide, however the deadline to take action is the fifth day after the World Collection. The Pirates must make their determination on Gonzales’ membership possibility by then, too.
WILL THERE BE A ROSTER CRUNCH?
The Pirates have six gamers presently on the 60-day injured checklist who will have to be added again to the roster inside 5 days of the top of the World Collection (Ben Heller, Daulton Jefferies, Dauri Moreta, Johan Oviedo, Hunter Stratton and Endy Rodríguez). A minimum of one roster spot will have to be cleared so as to take action, so there will likely be some non-tender and waiver-wire strikes by then.
Heller and Isaac Mattson are two veteran relievers who had been added late within the season and seem more likely to be dropped, however the Pirates might want to make selections on extra established gamers in some unspecified time in the future this offseason. Jefferies, Connor Joe, Liover Peguero, Alika Williams, Ji Hwan Bae, Joshua Palacios and the injured Stratton all seem to be potential candidates to be non-tendered or traded to clear roster area.
Not like current years, although, the Pirates don’t appear to have many Rule 5 selections to make this 12 months after they added Billy Cook dinner and Nick Yorke to the roster within the remaining month of the season. Omar Alfonzo is the one participant inside their High 30 Prospects who’s Rule 5 eligible (No. 26), however they may most likely sneak the Excessive-A catcher by means of for an additional 12 months. Outfielders Sammy Siani and Matt Gorski are each within the higher ranges of the Minors and are coming off good campaigns, however won’t match into the Pirates’ outfield plans.
Groups should add Rule 5-eligible prospects to the roster by 6 p.m. ET on Nov. 19, whereas the tender deadline is 8 p.m. ET on Nov. 22.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH FREE AGENCY AND TRADES?
Groups are eligible to start out signing gamers from different golf equipment 5 days after the World Collection, and to start out making the trades the day after the World Collection concludes. Cherington mentioned in his year-end media availability that he believes staff payroll will improve for 2025, so the Pirates must be energetic on each fronts.
The Pirates completed twenty seventh in bullpen ERA (4.49) and are in want of depth, left-handed choices and a minimum of yet another leverage arm to pair with David Bednar, who was faraway from the nearer position for the ultimate month of the season. First base and outfield may very well be impacted if the Pirates resolve to maneuver Bryan Reynolds to the infield, however nothing was imminent when Cherington final spoke. The outfield market seems to be to be deeper than the first-base free-agent choices, however trades are all the time a chance.
The Pirates have loads of pitching to supply in trades, each with Minor League prospects and Main League arms. Cherington has mentioned desirous to convert a few of that pitching depth to hitters, and this offseason looks as if a superb alternative to take action.
