Free Agent Rumbling: Pirates Linked to Former Yankees Outfielder

The winter advisory taking over Western Pennsylvania on Monday could also describe the rumor mill surrounding the Pittsburgh Pirates this offseason — ice cold.

It’s been crickets from 115 Federal St. this offseason in regards to connections between current free agents and the Pirates. It doesn’t mean general manager Ben Cherington hasn’t been active, however.

It should come as no surprise, but outfield and bullpen help are currently the top priorities for the Pirates this offseason, a source told Pittsburgh Baseball Now. The Pirates are exploring both the free agent and trade markets to add to their roster.

While there haven’t been many rumors surrounding the Pirates since acquiring Spencer Horwitz and re-signing Andrew McCutchen, they are interested in outfielder Alex Verdugo, FanSided’s Robert Murray said on The Baseball Insider’s Podcast.

Verdugo, 28, completed his lone season with the New York Yankees in 2024 after splitting the beginning of his career between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. This past season in New York, Verdugo scuffled to a .233/.291/.356 batting line with 28 doubles, a triple, 13 home runs and 61 RBIs in 149 games.

While 2024 was a down year for the left-handed hitter, Verdugo, has been at least a league-average offensive player for the bulk of his career. From 2o19-23, Verdugo combined to slash .283/338/.432 slash with 146 doubles, 10 triples, 55 home runs, 250 RBIs and 20 steals in 599 games. During those five seasons, Verdugo amassed an 11.1 bWAR.

A lot of his success at the plate is because of his ability to put the ball in play. Verdugo ranked in the 88th-percentile of strikeouts in 2024 and has only struck out in roughly 15% of the time in his career.

Though Verdugo has yet to live up to the potential that made him one of the game’s better prospects after he was drafted in the second round in 2014, he’s been a pretty reliable and durable contributor since earning a full-time role.

The Pirates need help in a corner outfield spot, and while Verdugo has played all three outfield positions in his career, the majority of his reps have been split between left and right field.

Verdugo was the Yankees’ everyday left fielder in 2024 and led the league with a .996 fielding percentage, recorded nine outfield assists, eight defensive runs saved and was a Gold Glove finalist. The native of Tucson, Arizona possesses one of the stronger arms in baseball.

Is Verdugo a potential difference-maker? Unlikely. But he’s relatively young, provides good defense and would help lengthen a lineup in need of further help. Given the Pirates’ track record of free agent signings, that’s about as good as you can hope for.