Perrotto: Pirates Need More Than Wisdom From Adam Frazier

Adam Frazier feels he is finally back home after playing for five teams in the past four seasons.

The veteran utility man is back with the Pittsburgh Pirates after signing a one-year, $1,525,000 contract as a free agent just before the start of spring training. Frazier was drafted by the Pirates in the sixth round in 2013, then made his major-league debut with them three years later.

Frazier spent six seasons with the Pirates before being traded to the San Diego Padres in 2021, just two weeks after being the starting second baseman for the National League in the All-Star Game.

Frazier then played one season each with three teams – the Seattle Mariners (2022), Baltimore Orioles (2023) and Kansas City Royals (2024).

“A lot of familiar faces still here between the coaches and the players, so that makes things easier when you’re going into a fresh environment, so it’s been fun,” Frazier said.

Frazier had a rough spring training, going 6 for 36 (.167) in Grapefruit League play with two doubles. Nevertheless, the Pirates do not have buyer’s remorse.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington tried to sign Frazier each of the previous two winters before finally landing him this year on Jan. 28.

“Ben and I stayed in touch, and we would talk in the winters,” Frazier said. “I didn’t have ill feelings about him trading me. I knew they were trying to get younger, and they had been trading a lot of veteran guys. It’s not like I didn’t expect it.”

Frazier almost signed with the Pirates before the 2023 season but instead chose the Orioles. It proved to be a wise move as he was the starting second baseman on a team that won the American League East.

Frazier moved on to the Royals last season and batted just .203. However, a hand injury limited Frazier, and the Pirates still felt that the 33-year-old could be a productive player.

They will need him to produce now after second baseman Nick Gonzales was placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday with a non-displaced left ankle fracture. Frazier figures to get the bulk of playing time at second base while Gonzales, though the Pirates recalled infielder Enmanuel Valdez from Triple-A Indianapolis and have infield prospect Nick Yorke at Indy.

The Pirates also want Frazier to add veteran presence to a team that has finished 76-86 each of the last two years and hasn’t had a winning season in 2017. Though he never played on a winner during his first stint with the Pirates, he participated in the postseason each of the last three years.

Frazier has also been a teammate with three of the top young players in baseball – Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez, Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson and Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.

“I’ve learned a lot of things over the last few years, and really the most important things are the little things it takes to win on a daily basis,” Frazier said. “Getting the routine outs are so important. You play a clean game on the defensive side of the ball, and then you’re in every game. Those kinds of things. What it takes on and off the field to give you a chance to win every night.

“One of the parts of the game I enjoy is teaching the young guys the ins and outs of the game, the details that allow you to be successful on a daily basis.”

The Pirates have yet to learn how to win. They are 1-2 this season, and a lack of attention to detail has been a problem again in 2025.

Maybe Frazier can teach the Pirates how to play the game correctly. It would be even better if he could rewind the clock to 2021 while subbing for Gonzales.