Demilio: No Reason to Panic Over Pirates Quiet Offseason… Yet (+)
It’s been nearly a month now since the Texas Rangers were crowned World Series Champions after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks in five games in the Fall Classic.
It has taken a while to develop, but the hot stove is starting to heat up as free agents are finding new homes and a flurry of trades have been completed.
So far, the Pittsburgh Pirates haven’t really joined in on the action around the league. The only trade they’ve made is a deal that sent right-handed pitcher Cody Bolton to the Seattle Mariners for cash considerations. In free agency, the Pirates have only added a depth outfielder in Gilberto Celestino on a minor league deal.
It’s been quiet so far from general manager Ben Cherington’s office on Federal St. at PNC Park. Even though the Pirates have plenty of work to do this offseason, there’s no real reason to hit the panic button — at least not yet.
Some teams have been active early. One of those teams is the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals. This winter, the Cardinals have already revamped their rotation by bringing in Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson as free agents.
While it can be frustrating to see the Pirates’ so-far patient approach to this offseason, they really haven’t missed out on a lot in the grand scheme of things.
Sure, Lynn and Gibson could have fit the Pirates and their need to add multiple starting pitchers. But there are plenty of other players out there who fit a similar, or an even more appealing profile.
It took in excess of $10 million for St. Louis to sign each of those two pitchers, and neither one is coming off of a particularly strong season. Lynn finished the season 13-11 with a subpar 5.73 ERA. Gibson went 15-9 with a 4.73 ERA. Both pitchers are 36 years old.
Even with pitchers like Lynn, Gibson, Gray, Aaron Nola and Kenta Maeda already off the board, there is no shortage of starting pitchers left in free agency. Not to mention the trade market.
The Pirates will also be seeking a first baseman. Every name available there at the beginning of the offseason is still available. In fact, there are more first baseman still on the board than when free agency opened. Rowdy Tellez (Brewers) and Dominic Smith (Nationals) were both non-tendered earlier this month.
Among the other free agent first baseman available this offseason are ex-Pirate Carlos Santana, Rhys Hoskins, Jeimer Candelario, Brandon Belt, Garrett Cooper, C.J. Cron and Joey Votto. Some of those names are undoubtably more appealing than others, but the point is the Pirates can still have their pick.
There are other areas that need addressed this winter for Pittsburgh. Something that does befuddle me is that there still is no deal yet between the Pirates and Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen has made it clear he wants to return, and Cherington expressed mutual interest in a reunion. Here we are, almost in December, and there isn’t a deal. I still expect that to get done.
There could be several reasons as to why Cherrington hasn’t struck for a notable deal up to this point. Maybe he feels the prices are still to steep for the Pirates’ taste in the early stages. Perhaps some of the mid-tier free agents, the aisle in which the Pirates shop, are waiting to see what happens with some of the bigger fish like Shohei Ohtani and Cody Bellinger before proceeding. That goes for general managers looking to execute trades, too.
With all of that being said, the Pirates will need to be active this winter. For the first time in a while, there is some level of optimism heading into next season. The Pirates are coming off of a 76-86 season, good for a 14-game improvement from their 2022 campaign.
Even with the improvement in their record, the Pirates have glaring needs in the rotation and at first base. In order to take the next step towards contention, Cherington will have to make some impactful additions in key areas.
Sure, patience can be a virtue. But wait too long, and you could be left scrambling.
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