The Pirates are coming off a season that saw the club take some steps forward as young players like Jack Suwinski and Johan Oviedo took steps forward while prospects like Henry Davis and Endy Rodriguez rose to the majors for the first time. Unfortunately, those young players didn’t help Pittsburgh much in the standings as the club finished fourth in the NL Central with a 76-86 record, 16 games back of the division-leading Brewers while key pieces like Oviedo and Rodriguez are expected to miss the 2024 season.
Those obstacles aren’t stopping the Pirates from participating in the shallower end of free agency, however. The club has already inked Rowdy Tellez and brought back Andrew McCutchen to help fill out the lineup, and Kevin Gorman of TribLive relays comments from GM Ben Cherington indicating the club hopes to add at least one more position player to the mix. One player Gorman notes the club has been connected to in the rumor mill is second baseman Adam Frazier, who spent parts of six seasons in Pittsburgh following the club drafting him in the sixth-round of the 2013 draft and promoting him to the majors in 2016.
Since the Pirates traded Frazier to the Padres partway through the 2021 season, Frazier struggled with both San Diego and Seattle before catching on with the Orioles on a one-year deal last offseason. Though Frazier saw his playing time reduced somewhat by the presence of young, up-and-coming players like Jordan Westburg vying for playing time at the keystone, he still got semi-regular playing time in Baltimore. In 455 trips to the plate with the Orioles last season, Frazier slashed .240/.300/.396 with a wRC+ of 93, a considerable upgrade over the 80 wRC+ he posted in Seattle the previous year. While approximately league average offense and rough defense (-15 OAA, -1 DRS) at second base isn’t exactly an impact signing, the addition of Frazier to the Pirates lineup could offer the club a stable, veteran solution at the keystone while not blocking the likes of Nick Gonzalez from taking a step forward and seizing everyday playing time in the majors.
More from around the league’s Central divisions…
- The Twins have faced plenty of uncertainty regarding the future of their TV broadcasting situation this offseason, prompting the club to cut payroll even after the club won its first playoff game since 2004. Some clarity of the specifics of Minnesota’s situation could be on the horizon as we head into the new year, according to Phil Miller of the Star Tribune. Miller reports that the Twins have been in the midst of negotiations with Bally Sports North to televise the club’s games in 2024. Though the previous deal between the sides concluded after the 2023 campaign, Miller indicates that BSN has “strong and sincere interest” in a one-year arrangement with the Twins. If the Twins aren’t able to come together with BSN on a deal for 2024, Miller suggests that the club’s games would likely be distributed by MLB as the league did with the Padres and Diamondbacks in 2023.
- Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris spoke effusively about newly-signed right-hander Shelby Miller after he landed in Detroit on a one-year pact last week. According to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News, Harris was particularly impressed by Miller’s performance with the Dodgers after coming off the injured list last summer. Miller’s final eleven appearances with the club saw him post 12 scoreless innings as he scattered seven hits and one walk while striking out 25.6% of batters faced. Per McCosky, Harris went on to suggest that Miller’s role has yet to be determined. The righty could compete for a spot at “the very back” of the Tigers’ bullpen alongside the likes of Alex Lange and Andrew Chafin or could be used in a multi-inning role. Miller recorded more than three outs in eleven of his thirty-six appearances with the Dodgers last year.
Nick Gonzales*
I feel like they probably have a mechanic in the website where once they spell out a players name it will automatically link it to baseball reference. Sadly it seems that it’s inaccurate as hell and the writers don’t bother to check it. I don’t care much, but it would be nice to see the real player they’re talking about without having to go to baseball ref myself.
I’ve actually never had any issues with it and I click on those names a lot.
Keep clicking on Nick’s name above and let me know when you get it right.
I see
Wrong baseball reference link is common here. If once every few weeks or a month is common.
Yes, I used it in my site for a while. Josh Bell was pretty problematic for a while. Eventually I quit using it and manually linking to fangraphs.
Pirates sending Moreta back to the Reds for Elly to play second base
You’re going to need to send back a lot more than that to Elly
Reds aren’t trading Elly. The fact you think Elly should be wasted at second base tells me you have never seen him play.
@Bobcasrelliniscat—yes as pirates fans we have seen Elly play on multiple occasions. If Oneil is healthy and still has his same range, a Multi Cruz middle infield would make it darn near impossible for anyone to get a ball that is on the ground out of the infield with those two and their range. Also with both available for the relay throw no matter where the ball is hit, who is gonna to be willing to take the chance of trying to beat a throw from one of them to the plate? Never gonna happen as neither team would ever trade a top talent to the other. Moreta for Newman is about all you’re ever gonna see.
Lol! Love your “sources say” comments. They can really get those who are not familiar with you wound up. One of these days one of these wild trades will actually happen no shock the baseball world.
Adam Frazier is atrocious. Has been for years. No idea how that guy keeps getting opportunities. Should not get a major league deal
have you seen the Pirates 2nd Basemen?
I’d take Frazier back in a heartbeat
Not likely but keep dreaming bmcferren
They have three young 2B with Peguero, Gonzalez and Triolo who are all likely to be better than the declining Frazier. For a team that doesn’t spend on payroll and is badly in need of a reliable SP while they wait for Skenes, Jones, etc., this is a big WTF.
It was also a WTF signing for us Orioles fans last year. $8 million for a 31 year old 2B who’d posted an 85ish OPS+ over the previous year and a half when we already had a developing IF logjam.
But hey, who knows, maybe Frazier gets a rush from returning to Pittsburgh like Cutch and has a nice little bounceback year.
Doesn’t make any sense unless it’s a minor league deal, which is all Frazier is worth anyways
I think Peguerro will probably be included on a trade for a starting pitcher, while Gonzalez struggled last year and having Frazier back, he could mentor the young 2nd baseman
Triolo will sub at first base and 3rd and basically become a utility player
I’m not defending the potential signing of Frazier but I’ve heard his name mentioned at various media outlets this offseason including the likely trade of Peguerro
And they have Termarr coming up through the system. Yeah, it’s somewhat odd that after a year of taking a look at all of their options, they are throwing up their hands and saying “none of the above”
I would hope they give Triolo a long look at 1st in Bradenton. The kid had a great stretch at the end and hit well
But not sure why they’d push guys like Peguero or Gonzales( or Bae, for that matter) into something akin to support roles unless there are doubts about Cruz’s health at this time
Termarr will probably be held back long for the extra year of control to kick in. I don’t think Frazier offers anything better than Bae does at this point and Bae at least has speed. The 3 to 1 strikeout to walk rate is a bit concerning for a punch and judy hitter though
maybe I’m living in the past , but Frazier in that 2 hole ahead of Reynolds was nasty in 2019 or wtvr
I’d be all for it
especially since we’re looking at something around 1 mil for him
Polanco is the best fit for the Pirates
His contract runs until the projected arrival of Johnson.
Priester alone should get it done. Gives the Twins a back of the rotation SP with years of control & gives the Pirates a potential All Star caliber player & veteran leader for the next 2 seasons
You really think Nutting is going to give up 6 years of Priester for one year of Polanco?
Exactly, Rsox, not to mention that the Bucs are already short of starting pitchers, trading Priester would put them without 2 potential starters
If any trades are made to secure a starting pitcher, it will come at the expense of one of the middle infielders
There is an option for an additional year on J. Polonco’s contract (meaning two remaining) for only slightly more than the last year, but I still agree with you, Rsox.
Yeah, they have 3 starting pitchers as we speak. I’m doubtful they sign or trade for anyone as they’ll have a stable of guys by mid summer, between the guys coming back from surgery and the kids on the farm getting nearer. So you’d have to think both Ortiz and Priester will round out the starting staff as they break camp, unless someone really jumps up
@steelerbravenation – I don’t see the Pirates picking up Polanco’s salary, and Priester’s value depends greatly on the team evaluating him.
From Fangraphs.com “Prospects TLDR: Scouts like Priester, pitch data does not. He’s added a hard slider/cutter to his amazing-looking curveball, but his fastball still doesn’t miss bats and his report reads like Aaron Sanchez’s did.”
There’s not much to like above AA in terms of results and Priester’s 4 seamer doesn’t play at the MLB level. Far from a sure thing, especially after he got destroyed by MLB hitters last year, Priester may or may not be coveted by the Twins F.O.
I think it’s more about the Twins moving Polanco’s salary. I didn’t think I would get beat over the head with the Priester return by Pirate fans. I mean he really is not that good but he would fill a hole for the Twins in the back of the rotation.
The problem is you are suggesting that a notoriously cheap team take on a rather high salary (by Pirates standards) and give up a starting pitcher (something they are short on) with 6 years of team control. Even if Priester is nothing but a 5th starter such a move is definitely against type for Bob Nutting and the Pirates
why would the Pirates trade Priester at this point?
they kinda need him
And they would be taking on the big salary when they have 3 young guys who look capable already, with Termar not far away. No thanks
Frazier is a free agent..
can prob get him in the 2-3 mil range
and Termarr isn’t close at all. unlikely he’s up in 2024
Moran worked with Priester on his sinker late last year which became his go-to pitch in getting ground ball outs
But he still needs to work on his lack of control to be an effective pitcher
Puguero’s defense is atrocious at either shortstop or 2nd base as Bae’s is at 2nd base
I like Puguero’s power potential but he strikes out far too often swinging at pitches no where close to the plate
And when your fastest player doesn’t know how to bunt to get on base, his speed doesn’t matter because he rarely walks
I’d rather have Priester as a good #4 in 2026 than Jorge Polanco on this roster.
Can always find a solid utility-INF vet for cheap.
I love Polanco as probably as a cleanup hitter in this lineup.
But can’t dump young controllable innings-eaters like Priester for an aging infielder.
I’d def do it for Peguero and some minor pieces if Minnesota is just looking to dump the salary tho.
Peguero could be similar at the plate to Polanco in the future too.
one of the Polanco’s anyways …. 😉
@Goku the Knowledgable One
It all depends on how the Pirates (and Twins) in this example view Priester. If the Pirates believe Priester will turn things around, they’ll definitely not trade him. If the Twins don’t believe in Priester’s scouting reports over how he actually performed, the Twins wouldn’t want him.
Aside from that, like mentioned before, the Pirates aren’t picking up Polanco’s salary so this is probably a moot exercise.
I liked Frazier as an Oriole.
Loved that he got his hacks in at the plate. IE put the ball in play; didn’t seem to strike out or walk all that much.
And, agreed, he struggled defensively at 2b. But a silver lining there? I watched him play some RF from the OPACY CF stands. IMHO, looked okay. Made some nice catches, kept the ball in front of him, hit the cutoff man and so on.
Thought he would get some interest from contending teams as a role player albeit not at $8 mil.
Frazier would make sense for the Guardians if they were considering moving Gimenez back to SS. Also for the White Sox who need help at both 2B and RF
All the young infielders you listed hit right handed, and tee off on left-handed pitching. Frazier would sit against all left-handed pitching.
Hey @BobVealle66! I know you are 88 now but do you have any heat still in that left arm of yours? The Bucs could really use you now
“Bob Veale could throw a strawberry through a locomotive.”
Still remember watching him when I was a kid
My velocity is down to 98 mph, but I’m working on a knuckle ball to keep the hitters off balance.
The good news is, you would not have to run the baes now. You probably could but you could save the energy for the heater 🙂
Bob Veale led the NL in strikeouts in 1964 and during an era when Sandy Koufax was dominating the game on the mound
I like Frazier if under 3m. Frazier is back! A name fans know. Maybe they can get him back on track. If they don’t have a solution then pass.
Right now Gonzales looks closer to dfa then starting above average 2b.
Wouldn’t miss many bats with Pirates development.
Triolo can play elite defense and multiple positions but probably utility player unless the bat significantly improves.
Peguero bat has the most promise but needs to improve. I wouldn’t miss him in a trade.
Well, Triolo’s bat *did* improve greatly over the last several weeks of the season, and with power. Someone told the kid to ditch the crouch method and he responded well.
Would hope he doesn’t get lost in the shuffle here. Gonzales showed flashes, Peguero even more so but faded. Out of them all, Triolo reminds me of the kind of kid who’ll blossom. Just hope it’s here in Pittsburgh
Tigers are going to have a deep pen this year. Bodes well for the season.
So much competition in spring training for the Tiger bullpen. Should indeed be interesting!!
Me too. We have legit pitching depth. These days you need a bunch of arms to make it through an entire season. Ain’t no Mickey Lolich on any roster these days.
Mickey’s first year, 1963, he threw 144.1 IP at age 22. He then pitched 200 innings every season between ’64 and ’75 – including 376 IP in 1971. He barely missed 200 IP in ’76 at age 35.
And then his arm fell off.
Now, we need a couple bats !
Most underrated pitcher all time.
Peguero is the guy I’m leaning on at 2B! Triolo as a utility and Gonzalez has to show something! No way I bring back Frazier! If we adding bats it should be 1B or OF and better than what we have!
SP and RP should be the focus!
Agreed. I’d kind of like to see a signing like Kiermaier to play CF but I think he will get paid well. I still think they should trade with the Marlins. Maybe grab an extra OF and a young SP from them.
Keirmeyer went to Toronto
Bullpen is fine. Probably will add some reclamations and waiver claims when the IL is available.
If Mitch Keller tells the Pirates he is not interested in signing an extension they need to take a serious look into moving him
Normally I’d agree with you, but the Pirates can hardly fill a rotation as is. If Oviedo/Burrows/Brubaker were healthy, then I could see it, but without them you’re basically forced to keep him for this season regardless of extension.
But, you’re right, if they don’t sign him to an extension by the end of this season they basically have to trade him next offseason. I tend to think they’ll get an extension done, but I heard through a birdy that he already turned down a very fair/good offer.
I’ll envision a pitching staff of Burrows, Brubaker, Skenes, Jones, Oviedo and perhaps Chandler in ‘25 and not lose sleep about it, if I’m the Pirates front office. Look, I like Keller but let’s be serious.
He had a nice first half and closed reasonably well but in between, it was the inconsistent Mitch who threw fastballs dead red and left hanging curve and off speed pitches in the hitters’ zones.
Yeah, I get that he doesn’t need to give the Pirates a discount but why does it sound like he’s playing hardball in negotiations?
And Solometo
Starting pitching prospects come and go, ask the Tigers and Royals. I’d rather stick with who is a known commodity and not rely heavily on those guys all needing to work. The two young starters this season were atrocious. Maybe Keller’s asking price goes down a tad. I don’t think he’s an ace but he’s solid and watching the games, I think he ran into some hard luck late in the season and was also worn down a bit.
Granted, Shelton did him no favors in allowing him to stay in games where he was being shelled early. Guess I don’t get the wisdom of being down 5 or 7 runs in the 3rd and watching the young man labor
Again, I think Keller has a great deal of upside but aside from his first half of ‘23, he’s not in that upper tier just yet. I don’t know what the Pirates are offering, but he hasn’t shown that track record just yet
In complete agreement with you about prospects, especially in this town. I hope the young guys are the real deal but if Priester is the representation well, we need to question the effectiveness of the personnel people again
Keller was offered an extension last summer with a substantial increase in salary but my understanding was he wasn’t interested in a “ team friendly “ contract
If they aren’t competitive by the deadline next year he will be traded
Extend or trade. Trade him now if a fair offer is available. Plenty of starters left to sign. They still need 1 more anyways. Make it 2 more. Maybe trade for someone with lots of control.
How does the Pirates compete with teh LA Dodgers???
The same way other teams competed against the Mets in 2023?
By being smarter. Not easy to do. Even being as smart or almost as smart can work.
“Strong and sincere interest” sounds a lot like sports-speak for ‘full and frank diplomatic conversations’. Means the parties are far apart.
I can’t see how bringing back Frazier would be positive for the pirates. In fact, it’s going backwards. Bae and Trilio can both play 2nd and backup at other positions. They flipped him at the right time. No need to bring him back.
Bae hasn’t looked the part yet. Triolo needs to hit. Not a fan of bringing Frazier back unless they are really confident they can improve upon what he’s been.
Harris is excited about Shelby Miller… Imagine if he knew real major league pitchers…
The Tigers had the best offseason this year. They made high upside signings and didn’t over commit to any of the overpriced free agents available. The Dodgers made all the headlines but nothing they did was fiscally sound.
You don’t believe Miller could be an all star reliever next year? Maybe lead the league in saves? I think this is a great deal and he’ll be a key reason the Tigers win the central.
No, I don’t believe Shelby Miller will lead the league in saves. I don’t think he will lead the Tigers in saves, or holds. I just hope he is a reliable member er of the pen. What the Tigers need is offense. Maybe there will be a limited market on Chapman and he will settle for a one year make good contract.
Their offseason wasn’t bad but Dodgers unfortunately can spend however they want and it won’t really hurt them or hold them back from signing more players. A team like the Tigers or Pirates would be hamstrung from a bad contract like Javy Baez or a bad SP and it wouldn’t let them bring in more players.
Javy Baez is on the Tigers, yet they are still bringing in more players. Detroit may no longer play at the top of the market, but they have never been bottom of the market.
It’s still pretty early in the off-season. I’m pretty sure we’re not done making moves. Remember, we didn’t acquire McKinstry until spring training ended and he ended up making over 500 PA’s for us. Many of the top 50 FA’s are still unsigned so we don’t know yet how it will affect teams once more of them sign. I have a strong feeling Baddoo will be traded and we’ll make 1-2 more waiver claims/FA signings before it’s all said and done.
McKinstry isn’t a player that should be getting 500 ABs for you, or be an acquisition to be bragging about. He should be in competition for the utility IF spot. He replaced Hittin’ Harold at a cheaper price. 3B is still a position of need. McKinstry/Vierling should not be hard to improve upon. Unless you are HARRIS. Trades aren’t his best talent.
Wasn’t bragging about McKinstry. LOL. My point was that a player who we acquired after ST ended ended up playing a pretty large role for us. So the team we have now (including the 3B platoon situation) might not closely resemble the team we have in April.
Also, it’s still too early to tell how the trades Harris has made for us so far turn out. We’re just now figuring out where we stand on trades that Avila made 2-3 years ago.
At least the Pirates are doing SOMETHING. Somebody wake up Jed Hoyer PLEASE!
Hey Scott Harris, he pitched a small # of innings, had a good team around him, and the Dodgers have a pitcher-friendly stadium. That’s not to say that he won’t be good or that I didn’t like the signing. But I’m not sure how impressed he should actually be.
His neighbors are bringing home Ferrari’s to their mansions and supermodel wives, while Harris is shopping in the discount bin at Big Lots.
Keep the Ferrari, I’ll take an old 1960’s Belvedere or Sport Fury, with some bondo patched holes, just covered in primer, with a hidden 426 Hemi 4 Speed, rolling down Gratiot Avenue in the early evening.
Good Times In Detroit!
Or Woodward !
That was even before my time.
It’s still going on. The official Dream Cruise happens on every third Saturday of August. Millions of people and cars show up….
I meant when they really cruised before emissions reduced performance and before the OPEC embargo of 73-74
You can find cruisers on just about every day, during the summer. Look for the burnouts on the street !
How does it work if mlb broadcasts the twins games? If I get mbltv will the games still be blacked out?
Doubt it. Why would MLB block out themselves?
I believe that even if BSN picked-up another year of Twins’ broadcasts they would not be blacked out. That’s what was suggested on a Gleeman and the Geek episode talking to Corey Provus, the incoming replacement for Dick Bremer.
Aside – the Bremer/Morneau booth is/was the best teevee team in baseball. Followed by the Mets, then the ChiSox, though Beneti was sometimes a bit too much – looking forward to how he works with the Tigers. Worst Booth is Rex Hudler – no added value whatsoever, plops out cliche after cliche. Cardinals booth also blows.
A $5M minor league deal would give them some roster flexibility
Jason Foley for closer in Detroit
Lange is too volatile. He’s Soto 2.0
Yeah. Foley also isn’t gonna lose games by giving up HRs
Scott, quit wasting time making these statements and get back to your real job; pushing papers around on your desk to look busy.
I’m just hoping Falvey manages to make some moves before the market dries up and he misses the boat.
Boras will be begging Falvey to give Bellinger a 1 year deal come march 1st
Yeah, and Falvey will be like “Oh, I’d love to, but I forgot to trade Kepler, Farmer and Polanco when the market was active so Jim Pohlad’s making me scrub toilets and clean up after games after cutting the sanitation staff because I’m over budget already 🙁 “
There are so many pitchers available this year. I can’t believe that the Tigers wouldn’t take advantage and sign a couple more, at least for trade.
Teams are limited by a 40 man roster. Look for minor league signings once players realize that ML contract is not being offered. Besides, gotta keep a spot for Nevin. He’s the poster boy for HARRIS acquisitions.
2023 Opening Day Lineup: C Eric Hasse, 2B Jonathan Schoop, 3B Ryan Kreidler, LF Austin Meadows, DH Miguel Cabrera. SP Eduardo Rodriguez.
Replaced by C Rogers, 2B Keith 3B Vierling LF Canha DH Carpenter SP Skubal.
I’d say that progress. Just wish it was a better name at 3B!
Still possible Kreidler could be the name at 3B, if he can remember how to hit. He’s probably the best defensive 3B in the system.
All their internal options seem to have holes in their games that make them better suited to be part timers (Vierling, McKinistry, Ibanez) or failed their auditions (Kreidler, Maton). Unfortunately it seems like there are a lot of teams looking for 3B help this offseason and not a lot of 3B capable players in free agency or available via trade whovare mu h of an upgrade. Even Chapman derived most of his value from his glove, after a hot start with the bat. I get why they might use a placeholder and see how Jung continues to develop. If Jung doesn’t look like the answer and they want to go big in the offseason Bregman is available and has connections with Hinch. I’d like to see what Miguel Vargas from LAD or Tyler Black from Mil could do at 3B in Detroit. Lots of time until April so cross your fingers.
I like Ryan Kreidler too. Regardless if he hits, Nick Maton was not a good defender and didn’t hit at all. Kreidler is an improvement.
Maton hit for power and drew walks but otherwise nothing. A position player could get him out. When you dig under the hood with Kreidler I don’t think there is much hope beyond a backup IF and there is lots of competition for that spot. I don’t see him playing over Ibanez, McKinistry or Vierling unless he has found a new gear.
You can readily see if they would not be so cautious about maybe losing guys like Kreidler, the Tigers really could reinforce the 25 and 40 man rosters and win big.
They can make room to sign some more guys. Are the owners being too frugal, just at the wrong time?
They need to trade Baddoo and McK. McK used to play for LAD. You’d be doing him a favor.
I’m not sure what Scott Harris could get for Akil Badoo. He’s a very poor defensive OF and couldn’t start on any other MLB team, not even in Oakland.
I think the frugal organizations are being smart. The income stream will be reduced significantly. The Dodgers are guaranteed with money using from Guggenheim Partners non sports investors’. I would expect that investors will soon take issue over Guggenheim’s mismanagement of their assets.
I really wouldn’t have had a problem with signing Frazier given he can move around some if the need is there.
Adam has had some fine years and has proven he can hit at fair rate. he is one of those players that relies on BABIP. That type of player often has dramatic swings in there stats. These types of players also often decline quickly if/when they start losing a step.
But is far from an impact signing. If the team wants to prove they are ready to take a step forward they need to get at least one bigger signing that is more of a sure thing.
Not saying these other players are bad but they are typical hope they become trade bait for a mediocre prospect.
I’m having a hard time understanding why Kyle Farmer, Jorge Polanco and Max Kepler are still on the Twins.
There were 9 teams with 2.0 fWAR or less from 2B last year.
There were 17 teams with 2.0 fWAR or less from RF last year.
There were 13 teams with 2.0 fWAR or less from SS last year.
There were 14 teams with 2.0 fWAR or less from 3B last year.
Farmer is basically a 2.0 WAR guy. Stick him at 2B, SS or 3B, he’ll give you 2 WAR in a full season. Not great, but good enough.
Polanco is a 3.0-4.0 WAR guy (if healthy) at 2B. Obviously, health is a concern, but he finished the season playing and had no medical work scheduled for his ankle for the first time in a couple years. The upside is borderline All Star production. The low bar is 2 WAR, and he has an additional market cheap option.
Kepler ‘s a consistent 2.5 WAR RF for $10MM. He gets a team there with his defense or his bat and has never produced less than 1.9 fWAR or bWAR in a full season in his career.
Like… how is it Falvey can’t figure out how to move these guys?