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 recurrently in your inbox.
Mail name! I reached out on X (previously Twitter) on your Pirates questions this week. Let’s see what the Web desires to know concerning the ballclub. (Some questions could also be barely edited for readability.)
@BCarvella: Who’re some sensible difference-making free brokers that you just see the Pirates pursuing?
@ihlenfeld_tv: Who’re the Pirates more than likely to focus on in free company?
Disclaimer that Main League free brokers are nonetheless below contract till the day after the World Sequence, so the workforce can’t have discussions with gamers on different groups proper now. That stated, we will nonetheless have a look at areas of want and who is likely to be a possible match.
The bullpen didn’t stay as much as expectations and goes to want some exterior additions, primarily a lefty specialist and a minimum of one setup man. Reuniting with Aroldis Chapman would make sense as a result of he excelled within the clubhouse and plenty of younger gamers appeared as much as him. José Leclerc had a down yr with the Rangers when it comes to outcomes, however his peripherals had been excellent (36% whiff fee, 30.7% exhausting hit fee). Southpaw Scott Alexander posted a 2.56 ERA with the Athletics and held left-handed batters to a .419 OPS.
For the offense, I’m first base and nook outfield first. Justin Turner is popping 40 subsequent month, however he’s nonetheless a productive hitter (114 OPS+ the final two seasons). Max Kepler had a down yr with the Twins, a few of which may very well be attributed to well being. If he’s clear medically, he’s only a yr eliminated for a 24-homer marketing campaign and is a plus defender. Tyler O’Neill would additionally present pop (31 dwelling runs) to go together with his two Gold Gloves, however he would require a a lot bigger contract than normal supervisor Ben Cherington has given out in his time with the Pirates.
In fact free company isn’t the one method so as to add to the workforce. The Pirates have loads of younger pitching within the Majors and Minors that may very well be dangled in commerce talks too.
@efisher330: What are the possibilities the Pirates put Bubba Chandler on the Jared Jones path to creating the workforce out of spring?
@BurnerBurgh: Who’s the more than likely Minor League pitcher to make the Opening Day rotation
@WhatsTheWeard: Do you see the Pirates deploying any of their starting-pitching prospects within the bullpen?
Triple-dipping right here since there was a variety of buzz in my feedback concerning the pitching prospects.
With the apparent caveat that there’s a variety of time between now and Opening Day, I don’t assume Chandler has an incredible shot of creating the rotation out of camp. There have been loads of query marks within the rotation final spring, and Jones took benefit of the chance. There’s much more depth this time round, so I don’t know if there’s a spot up for grabs. With that stated, Chandler is among the greatest younger pitchers round, and if he exhibits he’s prepared in Spring Coaching, there’s at all times an opportunity.
So if the rotation has depth, what concerning the bullpen? The Pirates haven’t had discussions about Braxton Ashcraft going into the bullpen, however his stuff would completely play there, and it may very well be a technique to handle his innings. Mike Burrows additionally has good things and may very well be a swing man. Clearly you want starting-pitching depth, so you’ll be able to’t convert everybody right into a reliever, however they confirmed final yr with Luis Ortiz {that a} journey to the bullpen doesn’t shut the door on beginning, and this workforce must deepen its bullpen pool.
@RedDirtRob87 – What are the Pirates on the lookout for in a hitting coach?
Throughout his end-of-season media availability earlier this month, Cherington talked about how there must be extra consistency in messaging and the implementation of that messaging on the hitting facet. It’s additionally not going to fall on only one individual to be a hitting coach. The Pirates desire a hitting workforce that’s collaborative and player-focused, and the brand new hitting coach goes to go that group.
Given the variety of younger hitters on this roster who want to enhance in 2025 — together with Henry Davis, Endy Rodríguez, Jack Suwinski and Jared Triolo — somebody with a player-development background or perception on the right way to make that soar from the Minors to Majors much less daunting would definitely be a plus.
@DomDiTommaso: Make the case for Juan Soto signing with the Pirates this offseason.
I imply, it by no means hurts to make an elevator pitch, proper? Simply promote the attract of Pittsburgh: The suitable-field porch is brief, the town loves its sports activities groups and we put fries on sandwiches. You can do an entire lot worse.
