North Shore Nine

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in the process of getting ready for the offseason. They have begun to call up some players to see what they have in them, Nick Yorke, and are likely monitoring what staff to keep or jettison. Both Derek Shelton and Ben Cherington have been given votes of confidence in the past few weeks. Cherington’s came for a number of media sources and Shelton’s came from Cherington himself. That being said it is also possible one or both of them get shown the door when the season’s last pitch has been thrown. It does appear however most likely that it might end up being a coach shake up. Andy Haines is one that most fans want to see gone. The Pirates rank 26th in Homeruns, Slugging, OBP and OPS, 18th in RBI, 20th in Runs, 22nd in hits and rank 5th in strikeouts. All of this might finally cost Haines his job, but who knows the Pirates can be slow in making changes, even when necessary. However, the real issue is the production from the players on the team, so who could the Pirates target this offseason to get this team back in the playoffs.

Let us look at each position as a way to best determine where financial resources need to be spent.

Nick Gonzales
Ke’Bryan Hayes
Isiah Kiner-Falefa
Jared Triolo
Alika Williams
Nick Yorke
Connor Joe
Liover Peguero
Henry Davis
Endy Rodriguez
Joey Bart
Jason Delay

The Pirates enter the offseason with a potential desperate need to add to the infield. Hayes has struggled to remain healthy and to hit this season. Gonzales was a very pleasant surprise and should easily slot into 2B next year. Williams is a good defender but has trouble hitting water falling out of a boat. Joe again started out hot and then faded as the earth began to heat up. Triolo waited again until September to remind people why some were excited about him. Kiner-Falefa is best suited as a super utility guy and not as an everyday SS. Yorke has had limited playing time and therefore cannot be counted one way or the other just yet. All in all a group that does not leave fans with a strong sense of confidence. They will also potentially have Rodriguez at 1B as an option, if he is ready, or as part of a three headed C monster. All in all a group that does not leave fans with a strong sense of confidence. Moving into the offseason finding a full-time starting SS might be a big step, as well as finding a better option at 1B, unless they do try to shift Reynolds there.

First base:

Pete Alonso
Alonso is one of the premier free agents heading into the offseason. He will be 30 years-old to start the 2025 season and is coming off his 5th straight 30+ homerun season. He will be the main target for most teams looking to make a splash on the market and the Pirates should be leading the charge for his services. Pirates truly lack the power from that is generally reserved for the first base and DH positions. Slotting Alonso in-between Reynolds and Cruz would give the Pirates a true heart of the lineup. However, the potential for Alonso getting a 7-year $200 million plus contract is far from out of the question. As much as the Pirates and their cheap owner need to pony up in FA to make this team better, sadly that much money is off the table for the Pirates.

Christian Walker
Walker is a 33-year-old right-handed first baseman who has spent the last 8 years in the Arizona Desert, after two brief call ups when in Baltimore. Over the last three seasons he has quietly cemented himself as a premier 1B, winning Gold Gloves in ’22 and ’23 while average move than 30 home runs a year. In each of those seasons his OPS has been over .800 as well, making him a dual threat on the field and at the plate. All signs point toward Walker going to free agency this offseason, not only looking for a payday, but a potential change of scenery. A PA native, Walker would be a great fit for the Pirates moving into their contention years. ESPN had noted they expect him to get between $40-$80 in his next contract, though it is unclear how many years that would be over. That being said other report have guessed or projected he could get a 3-year contract worth north of $60 million in the offseason. This all tracks with what players like Anthony Rizzo got at the same age. If the Pirates could sign Walker for 2-3 years with a $18-22 million a year hit it would be not only within the general market value, but within what the Pirates should be able to afford for a premier player.

Shortstop:
Ha-Seong Kim (Option)
Kim who turns 29 this offseason is a multi-talented infielder who can play every position. He has spent 4 years in MLB all of them with the San Diego Padres. There is a mutual option for Kim this offseason but it rare for those to be jointly exercised. He has not played down the stretch due to a shoulder injury that sent him to the IL on 8/18. If one or both sides decline the option Kim will become one of the top infielders on the market. He should also be the Pirates #1 infield free agent target if he hits the market. His ability to play all the infield positions makes him very valuable, especially as the main position of his was shortstop. To make things even better this gold glove defender should be well within the comfort range of what the Pirates like to spend on free agents. Current estimates have Kim signing a 4-year deal worth around $12 million a year. For a superior defender with a solid bat who has a career 15.3 WAR over 4 seasons that seems to be very reasonable. If Kim is willing to come play in Pittsburgh, the Pirates should make him one of their top priorities this offseason.

Willy Adames
Adames is a 29-year-old right-handed hitting player who is finishing his 7th season, having split time in Tampa and Milwaukee. He has been known for his good bad and solid to good defense in the middle of the diamond. While his defense has been uncharacteristically bad this year it could be a onetime poor season. Which is not what you want to have in a contract year. However, his offensive production has been stellar. He has already set his career high in home runs and will likely do the same for doubles. He has been very productive on both sides of the ball in his career and is very familiar with the NLC. The problem for a team like the Pirates however is once again the projected annual salary it would likely take to acquire his services. Projections have ranged from $18 million to $25 million a season for anywhere from 3 to 5 years. If his defense would rebound this would a great add for a team in need of a defender at short as well as more power in the lineup. However, it seems unlikely that the Pirates would be able to outspend such a larger market then themselves in Milwaukee. Nevertheless, if Pirate management are serious about winning adding a good player at a position of need is a win. To also take said player away from a rival is what is defined as a win-win.

Paul DeJong
DeJong is a 31-year-old right-handed hitting shortstop who is finishing his 8th year in the league. Originally drafted by the Pirates he returned to school to be drafted the next year by the Cardinals where he spent 7 years of his career. However, since then he has spent parts of the last two seasons with Toronto, San Fransisco, Chicago (A) and Kansas City. DeJong is a solid defender at short, with a little experience at 2B and 3B as well. His offense however is what he might be better known for as he averages over 20 home runs and doubles a year. He is not the ideal target for a team looking to win a division and go to the playoffs. However he is a solid contributor who can help a team, and he is expected to be reasonable priced. The current expectation is a deal between 4-6 million a year for anywhere from 1-3 years. This is something the Pirates can absolutely afford to add into the mix at SS for 2025.

If the Pirates move Reynolds to 1B, as appears more and more likely. Than the money they have this offseason will need to be spent in the Outfield and at Short. If Kim becomes a FA he would be the perfect player for the Pirates to add who can compliment what they already have and provide a Gold glove as well as a solid bat. With his projected price point as well they could then spend more money in the OF where it might be most needed. Regardless, the Pirates have space and will need to spend money this offseason to go along with a very exciting core of young players.