Demilio: 3 Free Agents Pirates Should Target

This is one in a series of articles where the PBN staff list their top free agents the Pittsburgh Pirates should target this offseason. 

Monday evening marks the official start of free agency. At 5 p.m. ET, free agents are allowed to start negotiating with any of the 30 teams.

The Pirates enter the offseason with several holes to fill on their roster and there is increased pressure on both general manager Ben Cherington and manager Derek Shelton to build a winner after another last place finish in the National League Central.

No, the Pirates won’t be in the market for stars like Juan Soto and Pete Alonso, though either would not only fill a need, but provide a monumental boost to a mediocre offense. The Pirates don’t spend significant money in free agency and that likely won’t change much, though owner Bob Nutting should be willing to loosen the purse strings at least a touch as frustration within the fanbase builds.

Now, as part of this series, our three-man staff will each be giving three free agents for the Pirates to target. Because of this, I can’t fill all the needs at once. My three free agent targets fill three spots but none address first base.

Pittsburgh will look to address first base — unless they shift Bryan Reynolds there. Though I don’t have a first baseman on my list, here are three free agents I believe the Pirates should target.

Ha-Seong Kim

After shifting Oneil Cruz to center field, the Pirates have an opening at shortstop. Kim provides quality defense not only at short, but also at second and third base. He was a Gold Glove winner in 2023 as a utility player and the Pirates love their versatility.

The 29-year-old Kim has been essentially a league-average performer at the plate in his career with a .242/.326/.380 batting line to go along with 80 doubles, 47 home runs, 200 RBIs and 78 steals in 540 games.

Kim doesn’t strikeout much which would be a welcomed change to a Pirates’ lineup that finished with the fourth-most strikeouts in baseball last season.

While he’s capable with the bat in his hands, Kim’s biggest impact on the Pirates would be both defensively and on the basepaths.

Kim is eligible for free agency after declining an $8 million mutual option in lieu of a $2 million buyout. There is some risk in signing Kim as he underwent right labrum surgery last month and could miss the start of the season. But the risk creates an avenue for the Pirates to bring on some upside at a reasonable price.

Alex Verdugo

Outfield is another major area the Pirates need to address this offseason. Bryan De La Cruz struggled after he was acquired from the Marlins and Jack Suwinski became an afterthought after a dreadful start to the season.

The Pirates should look to Verdugo, who doesn’t turn 29 years old until May, as a buy-low option coming off of a down first season with the New York Yankees.

In 149 games with the Yankees this past season, the left-handed hitter hit .231 with a .647 OPS, 28 doubles, 13 home runs and 61 RBIs. Though he hasn’t been as impactful a hitter as many had hoped, he’s been a reliable presence with a career .272 batting average and a .742 OPS across eight big-league seasons.

Defensively, Verdugo is an excellent left fielder and can patrol the outfield grass at PNC Park, which would push Reynolds to either right field or first base as his defense regressed in 2024.

Considering some other options who might be in the Pirates’ price range, Verdugo could have the most upside.

José Leclerc

The Pirates’ bullpen in 2024 was a major letdown. The unit was supposed to be the team’s biggest strength but instead proved to be a massive liability.

Leclerc, who turns 31 next month, could come in and immediately handle higher-leverage situations alongside David Bednar and Colin Holderman in the back of the bullpen.

The right-hander went 6-5 with a 4.32 ERA/3.48 FIP with 89 strikeouts in 66.2 innings with the Texas Rangers in 2024. In eight seasons in Arlington for his career, Leclerc posted a 3.27 ERA/3.44 FIP with 473 strikeouts and 41 saves in 360.1 innings across 350 appearances.

By relief pitcher standards, Leclerc could be a bit on the pricey side, but the Pirates should have no trouble paying what it takes to land him given his track record — at least theoretically.