On Thursday, the Pirates formally launched Ryan O’Hearn – their first multiyear free-agent signing since 2016 and the proud new proprietor of the biggest free-agent contract for a place participant in franchise historical past.
“We’ve got a number of weeks between now and Opening Day. It’s our job to make use of on daily basis to hunt alternatives to get higher,” normal supervisor Ben Cherington mentioned Thursday. “I’m assured we are going to proceed so as to add to the roster throughout that point.
“[We] want to add again to pitching,” Cherington continued. “We’ve traded a bit little bit of pitching, so want to add again to that. We’d nonetheless like so as to add to the position-player group. You have a look at the left facet of the infield; clearly there are guys we like. [Jared] Triolo emerged [in] the second half of the 12 months. He’s earned alternative there. But when we might add somebody on the left facet of the infield, that’s one thing we’ll preserve a watch out for. We’ll stay opportunistic within the outfield. See what comes our means. Hope so as to add to the pitching group in some kind.”
Let’s check out these areas and add some extra context.
The Pirates have already traded two starters who might have theoretically been of their Opening Day rotation: Johan Oviedo and Mike Burrows. Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller are the one starters on the roster who’ve thrown 140 innings in a season and Jared Jones is coming off of proper elbow surgical procedure, so whereas the Pirates might doubtlessly have among the best rotations within the recreation, they may use some veteran depth.
Pittsburgh often likes to have a lefty within the rotation, particularly provided that PNC Park is kinder to left-handed pitchers, and rookie Hunter Barco (Pirates’ No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline) is the one southpaw starter possibility proper now (and much from assured to make the Opening Day group). That doesn’t imply the Bucs are assured to have a lefty within the rotation, but when they do, a reunion with José Quintana or Tyler Anderson would make sense (and the membership has been involved with each).
Including pitching might additionally consult with the bullpen. The Pirates have already picked up lefties in Soto and Montgomery, however the expectation again on the Winter Conferences was they have been going to circle again to the reliever market as soon as they have been in a greater place offensively. That might be now.
The outfield wanted an improve this winter, and the Pirates have positively improved the group to date. Mangum is a contact, velocity and defense-oriented possibility who might doubtlessly be a starter or a fourth outfielder. Garcia is a prime 100 prospect with a excessive upside. With that mentioned, there’s not plenty of Main League expertise between the 2, and Garcia goes to should earn his spot on the group.
O’Hearn can play some outfield, however he’s additionally going to get reps at first base and designated hitter. Jack Suwinski goes to get one other look this Spring Coaching, however after struggling the final two years, how a lot can they rely on him? That leaves Billy Cook dinner, No. 12 prospect Nick Yorke (who solely bought cups of espresso within the Majors final 12 months) and No. 16 prospect Esmerlyn Valdez (who has but to succeed in Triple-A Indianapolis) as their different choices on the roster.
There’s potential right here, but it surely’s simple to see why a bit extra depth has attraction.
No. 1 general prospect Konnor Griffin goes to have an opportunity to earn a spot out of Spring Coaching. Triolo had a strong closing two months of the season. There’s a state of affairs the place the 2 deal with shortstop and third base simply tremendous, however provided that Triolo can play everywhere in the infield and Griffin continues to be simply 19 — and hasn’t performed a recreation at Triple-A — this market must be explored.
Whereas there was some buzz round Eugenio Suárez (and the Pirates have checked in), it doesn’t appear probably at this time limit. They’ve checked in on Yoán Moncada as nicely, and whereas he has had some harm issues in recent times, he did publish an .815 OPS in opposition to right-handed pitchers final 12 months. That would make him an interesting platoon accomplice for Triolo, who had a .798 OPS in opposition to lefties.
