The Pirates roared back to relevancy last season with the arrival of rookie right-handers Paul Skenes and Jared Jones, but the club still finished 76-86 and in last place in the NL Central. The rotation is in safe hands, led by Skenes (Rookie of the Year winner, Cy Young finalist), Jones, Mitch Keller and top prospect Bubba Chandler. The lineup, however, remains lacking.
Notable free agents
- Aroldis Chapman, LHP
- Jalen Beeks, LHP
- Andrew McCutchen, OF
Greatest needs
If the Pirates are serious about contending in 2025 — and they should be — their lineup requires immediate addressing. Andrew McCutchen, Bryan De La Cruz, Connor Joe, Rowdy Tellez and Yasmani Grandal are all gone from the roster. (McCutchen is a candidate to return.) With Joey Bart’s breakout last season and the return of Endy Rodríguez, the Pirates should be set at catcher even with former No. 1 pick Henry Davis struggling at the big league level. The Prates should be in the market for impact bats at corner outfield and first base. While Pete Alonso is likely out of their price range, would they pony up to pay Christian Walker? (History says no.) How about Tyler O’Neill or Max Kepler in right field? With closer David Bednar coming off a down season, the Pirates also need to add at least one leverage reliever. Preferably multiple.
Trade considerations
If the Pirates decided to add this offseason by way of trade, it would cost them starting pitching prospects, primarily. The good news: They have plenty. It would be a surprise if they moved their top prospect, righty Bubba Chandler, or any of their top position player prospects (Konnor Griffin, Termarr Johnson). But Mike Burrows, Braxton Ashcraft, Thomas Harrington, Anthony Solometo and Hunter Barco would all be desirable centerpieces in trade packages. Unless the Pirates find a taker for catcher Henry Davis, it’s hard to see them trading away any position players of value (the lineup can’t afford to lose the few there are).
Prospects on the verge
The Pirates broke camp last spring with Jared Jones in the rotation, and Paul Skenes joined him a month later. (Had Skenes been on the Opening Day roster, the Pirates would have gotten a draft pick for him winning Rookie of the Year. They’ll not make that mistake again.) Bubba Chandler could be in position to head north with the Pirates out of spring training. The 2021 third-round pick will be one of the most hyped pitching prospects in the game entering next season. Beyond that, the Pirates do not have the position player prospects to fill their immediate lineup needs. Termarr Johnson has played only 14 games at the upper levels of the minors. Nick Yorke or Nick Gonzales will likely start the season at second base, but neither is expected to be much better than replacement level at the position.
One big question
Will ownership really spend this offseason? The 2025 season marks 10 years since the Pirates’ last playoff year. As the franchise has endured a lengthy rebuild, rewarded with multiple No. 1 picks by delivering one losing season after another, the company line has been that the financial backing will be available when the team is ready to compete. Well, it’s time. The Pirates have five seasons before Skenes and Jones are free agents. The rotation — the most expensive asset for a low-payroll team — is locked in and, for now, healthy. The lineup remains in shambles, and that’s a shame for an organization that has had several years to figure out a way forward. The Pirates are light on impact position player prospects. They must get them from free agency or trades, and they must do it this winter. They had a shot at making the playoffs last season and settled for adding Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Bryan De La Cruz at the deadline. It did nothing to save their lineup. It did so little, in fact, that De La Cruz was non-tendered this winter. If ever there was a time for owner Bob Nutting to spend (even moderately!) in free agency, it would be now.
