MLBTR Predicts Pirates for 3 Top 50 Free Agents

In one of my personal favorites of the offseason, MLB Trade Rumors released its top 50 free agent predictions, and the Pittsburgh Pirates are listed as a landing spot for three players.

The Pirates’ needs this offseason are clear: offense and plenty of it as well as support in an underperforming bullpen.

On offense, the Pirates will be focused on upgrades at first base, shortstop and in the outfield. MLBTR has the Pirates addressing their need in the outfield and adding a strong veteran presence to bullpen.

How it Works

MLBTR lists their top 50 free agent predictions along with their projected contracts. It’s impossible to predict how much each player will land in free agency, but they tend to be in the right ballpark more often than not.

Four different writers — Tim Dierks, Anthony Franco, Darragh McDonald and Steve Adams — each give their predicted landing spot for each player on the list.

Each writer has the Pirates signing one player.

19. OF Tyler O’Neill

Both McDonald and Adams have the Pirates making a splash in landing O’Neill, who is coming off of a powerful season with the Boston Red Sox.

In his first season with the Red Sox after he was acquired last winter from the St. Louis Cardinals, the 29-year-old slashed .241/.336/.511 with 31 home runs in 113 games. Defensively, O’Neill has experience at all three outfield spots with the bulk of his time coming in left field.

The outlet predicts O’Neill to land a three year, $42 million contract, which would represent the largest deal ever handed out by the Pirates in free agency. In addition to the Pirates, the Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants were tabbed as the other landing spots.

32. OF Michael Conforto

Franco also has the Pirates adding an outfielder, but a more cost-efficient solution in the veteran Conforto.

The 31-year-old (32 on March 1), spent the last two seasons with the Giants after missing 2022 with an injury. It was a sluggish 2023 season for Conforto, but he rebounded with a .759 OPS, 27 doubles, 20 home runs and 66 RBIs in 130 games this past season.

MLBTR predicts Conforto to land a two-year deal worth $18 million this offseason. While a reasonable deal, it would be the first time general manager Ben Cherington signed a free agent to a multi-year contract with the Pirates.

47. RHP David Robertson

And finally, Dierks has the Pirates adding Robertson as a free agent addition to the bullpen after a stellar season with the Texas Rangers,

Robertson, who turns 40 in April, made 68 appearances with Texas this season and posted a 3.00 ERA with a 2.65 FIP. He also struck out 99 batters in a career-high 72 innings.

Signing Robertson would represent a similar situation to last winter’s splash of landing Aroldis Chapman. The Pirates landed the veteran Chapman for $10.5 million, so it’s logical to suggest they’d be willing to splurge on a veteran reliever once again.