North Shore Nine

It is too early to tell who might or might not be available this offseason on the international market. Last season there were a number of players expected to join those that did make the transition to the MLB, who did not for various reasons. However, if some of the expected names do indeed come to MLB the Pirates could be a good fit for a few of them.

Kazuma Okamoto (1B):
Okamoto is a 28-year-old 1B/3B/OF, he stands at six feet tall weighing just over 200 lbs. He has played in the NPB for 10 years so far having a number of great seasons for Yomiuri. He has gone to six All-Star games, been the home run leader three times as well as a two-time gold glove winner. Over his career in the NPB, he has played 608 games at 3B, 440 at 1B and 77 in the outfield, though his best position is at 1B. He had six straight seasons of 30+ homeruns, a streak likely to be broken this year. He is a power hitting 1B with a gold glove attached, something the Pirates could desperately use. Due to his number of years of service in the NPB Okamoto can become a international free agent this year. If he choices to do so the Pirates could go after him as likely he would be cheaper than the other crop of 1B on the market. With his slight downturn this year offensively, he could also not be as sought after as he might otherwise have been. If the Pirates want to be smart, and gamble a bit, then Okamoto could be a very good surprise, much like Jung Ho Kang was for them all those years ago.

Baek Ho Kang (1B):
Kang is a 25-year-old left hitting first baseman out of the KBO who stands at 6 foot and weights just over 200 lbs. As he has only played 7 seasons in the KBO for KT Wiz he would have to be posted to come to MLB. In his time in the KBO he has been named Rookie of the Year in 2018, was a three time All-Star and has won a pair of gold gloves. While predominantly a 1B he has spent about 25% as much time as a LF as well for KT. When he has been healthy, he is capable of hitting 20 plus home runs with nearly twice as many doubles, all while hitting for average. Kang does not have the career arc or pedigree that Okamoto has, and based on a pair of down years in ’22 and ’23 it might be unlikely that KT would be willing to post him. But he might have had enough of a bounce back year to be trotted out for MLB teams to see. If he is a player who can play LF and 1B might be a good option for the Pirates. Furthermore, he has very similar number in the KBO to what Jung Ho Kang did before coming to the Pirates, and in two less seasons. If the Pirates could get a repeat of what they got with Jung Ho before his malicious injury, then it would greatly help their 2025 chances at the playoffs.

Raidel Martinez (RP):
Martinez is a 28-year-old relief pitcher out of Cuba who has spent the last seven seasons in NPB. During his career he has put up very good number, he is 13-18 with a 1.71 ERA having thrown 305.2 innings striking out 349 and walking 70. His WHIP is a .896 and he holds a 10.3 SO/9 stat line. To top that off he has also made three straight All-Star appearances in the league. Martinez stands at 6’4″ and has a fastball that can hit triple digits, he adds to that a splitter which might be his best pitch. He is a player who has enough service time to come to MLB without having to be posted first. Based on his numbers in NPB and the fact the Pirates are in need of a revamped bullpen, Martinez would be a great fit. If it helps at all, they also already have a great Cuban pitcher on their team in Johan Oviedo, if it would ease the transition at all. Pirates sadly need to remain smart with their money, so signing an untested player from overseas can be a good way to get a high reward off a minimal risk.

Kaima Taira (SP/RP):
Taira is a 24-year-old Reliver converted to starter in the NPB he stands at 5’8″ and weighs just over 200 lb. Taira was a reliever until 2023 when he was converted to a starter, which statistically went well though it was reported his fastball took a dip as he changed his arm slot when he transitioned. All-in-all over six seasons he had been good for Seibu. He is 21-17 with a 1.94 ERA over 390.1 innings he has struck out 422 and walked 157 holding a 1.12 WHIP. Based on his age and experience he will need to be posted to come to the Majors, and it is debatable if Seibu would do so. However, with the clock ticking until he can make the transition without compensation for Seibu, they might market him to MLB teams and see what happens. The Pirates could benefit from this adding a young player with promise to use either in a long relief role, or in a back of the bullpen spot. A lot will depend on if Taira sees himself as a starter or a reliver moving forward. But if he is willing to do what his new team needs, the Pirates could be a good fit and make use of his services.

As previously written, it would behoove the Pirates to bet heavily on incoming Foreign Free Agents or Posted players. It is a relatively low risk for most MLB teams, with high reward upside. Now, obviously some incoming guys are at a level the Pirates will never be able to afford, but none of these potential players fit that bill. If the Pirates want to win and if they want to be cheap asses about it then betting here is worth their time and effort.