Perrotto: Ben Cherington Can Look to His Past for Pirates’ Trade Partner

The three players who started the most games in the outfield for the Pittsburgh Pirates this past season were Bryan Reynolds, Michael A. Taylor and Jack Suwinski.

That’s not going to win anyone a pennant.

Reynolds was an All-Star for the second time in his six-year career. However, Taylor was designated for assignment during the last week of the season after hitting .193 in 113 games. Suwinski was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on July 28 with a .182 in 88 games and seemingly fell off the face of the Earth.

The Pirates helped their outfield when they shifted shortstop Oneil Cruz to center field in late August. Yet this move may open another hole because veteran Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s ability as an everyday shortstop is not a sure thing.

Bryan De La Cruz was awful after being acquired from the Miami Marlins to take Suwinski’s spot on the roster and being installed as the regular right fielder. In 44 games, he hit .200/.220/.294 with three home runs.

Unless the Pirates are convinced that Suwinski and/or De La Cruz can be starters next season – how can they? – then general manager Ben Cherington needs to acquire an outfielder this winter.

The Pirates could use more than just an outfielder, though, after finishing the 2024 season ranked 23rd in the major leagues in batting average, 24th in runs scored, 25th in home runs, 26 in on-base percentage and 27th in on-base-plus-slugging.

“We need to score more runs. We know that,” Cherington said. “We need to continue to improve as an offensive team. We believe there will be opportunities for us to add to the team. I don’t know how we’re going to do that. I don’t know what the vehicle will be. But there will be opportunities to add to the team this year in a way that helps the offense.

“We also know, not to beat a dead horse, that some of helping the offense will be guys who are here already performing better. In some cases, it’s sort of coming back to an expected level. So that needs to happen.”

One place where Cherington could find outfield help is one of his old organizations, the Boston Red Sox.

The Red Sox have one of the best prospects in baseball in 20-year-old outfielder Roman Anthony, who could be ready for the major leagues despite playing just 35 games in Triple-A this year. The Red Sox will likely re-sign left fielder Tyler O’Neill in free agency following a 31-home run season.

That might leave the Red Sox willing to part with one of three outfielders – Jarren Duran, Wilyer Abreu and Ceddane Rafaela.

Trying to deal for Duran would be shooting high as the 28-year-old was the MVP of the All-Star Game this season when he hit .285/.342/.592 with 21 homers and 34 stolen bases in 160 games while leading the American League with 48 doubles and 14 triples.

The price would likely be steep as Duran won’t become eligible for free agency until after the 2028 season. However, the Pirates have the starting pitching depth at the major-league and minor-league levels to entice Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow.

The 25-year-old Abreu has five years of contractual control remaining through 2029 and had a .263/.333/.461 slash line with 15 homers in 132 games. Like Duran, Abreu is a left-handed hitter, which plays well at PNC Park.

The Red Sox are likely to drive a hard bargain for Rafaela, a 24-year-old right-handed hitter, signed to an eight-year, $50-million contract early in the season. He hit .246/.274/.390 with 15 homers and 17 steals in 152 games.

In 2013, Cherington was the Red Sox’ general manager and the left-handed Breslow was a key reliever as Boston won the World Series. This winter would be the perfect time to team up again.