Pirates’ Christmas Wishlist to Fill Out Roster (+)
Christmas Eve is upon us, but the Pittsburgh Pirates have plenty of holiday shopping left to do.
The Pirates have made a couple of notable deals so far this winter. Earlier this month, they acquired first baseman Spencer Horwitz in a trade with the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for Luis Ortiz and a pair of pitching prospects.
On Monday, the Pirates formally announced the expected move of re-signing Andrew McCutchen to another one-year contract. McCutchen figures to again serve a prominent role as the team’s designated hitter.
OK, that’s two holes filled, But the Pirates have more to do heading into the 2025 season.
Outfield is the biggest area of need as the lineup is in need of further reinforcements to escape the bottom-dweller status that has been attached to the Pirates for the last handful of seasons.
The bullpen is also in need of help. It was an area that many thought would be a strength of the team in 2024, but proved to be a liability. Specifically, the Pirates will need to add a left-handed reliever in wake of Aroldis Chapman signing with the Boston Red Sox and Jalen Beeks and Ryan Borucki both currently free agents.
Though they still have Isiah Kiner-Falefa on the roster, it could behoove general manager Ben Cherington to look for a more reliable shortstop option after Oneil Cruz’s transition to center field.
In essence, there’s still much to be done between now and the start of spring training. And yes, a new owner, new GM, new manager, blah blah blah. Trust me, I understand the frustration, but none of that is happening.
For the sake of this Christmas wishlist, let’s focus on player acquisitions.
OF Mike Yastrzemski
The first player who the Pirates could target is veteran outfielder Yastrzemski, who has spent his entire six-year career with the San Francisco Giants. A late bloomer, Yastrzemski debuted at age 28 in 2019 and has been a consistent performer ever since.
For his MLB career, the 34-year-old has slashed .239/.322/.457 with 134 doubles, 22 triples, 106 home runs and 318 RBIs in 694 games. He’s also a strong defender with 32 defensive runs saved in his career.
Trading for Yastrzemski would give the Pirates some needed thump and his left-handed swing would play well at PNC Park. He will make $9.25 million in 2025, a reasonable sum for the Pirates to take on.
SS Ha-Seong Kim
Kim may miss the start of the season as he recovers from labrum surgery, but the Pirates have Kiner-Falefa to hold his place until he gets healthy.
The 29-year-old Kim is a strong defender and has been a league-average player with the bat. His best season came in 2023, when he won a Gold Glove and finished 14th in the National League MVP race after hitting .260 with a .749 OPS, 17 homers, 60 RBIs, 38 steals and 16 defensive runs saved across three positions.
Kim’s ability to man shortstop would not only give the Pirates a Gold Glove-caliber defender at a premium position, but would allow them to utilize Kiner-Falefa’s best attribute — his versatility.
LHP Colin Poche
Poche, 30, took a step back in 2024 after a stellar 2023 season, but was still effective coming out of the Tampa Bay Rays’ bullpen.
In 43 appearances, the left-hander posted a 3.86 ERA and recorded a pair of saves. The year prior, Poche went an astonishing 12-3 with a 2.23 ERA across 60.2 innings.
Poche was non-tender by the Rays earlier this offseason, but he presents an interesting reclamation project of sorts. He also is in the 96th-percentile in extension, an attribute the Pirates love.
RHP José Leclerc
Leclerc, who turned 31 years old last week, had quite a career while with the Texas Rangers.
Across eight seasons, the right-handed reliever recorded 41 saves and posted a 3.27 ERA with 473 strikeouts in 360.1 innings pitched. Despite finishing 2024 with a 4.32 ERA, he owned a 3.48 FIP and finished with 89 strikeouts in 66.2 innings — both the second-highest totals of his career.
Leclerc would give the Pirates back-end experience and insurance if David Bednar’s 2024 struggles were to continue.
2025 Outlook
Base off of these moves, here’s what the Pirates would look like for next season.
Lineup
Bench
Starting Rotation
Bullpen
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