North Shore Nine

In Part II of the Pirate Offseason series, we explore reasonable ways in which the Pirates can continue to grow. In Part I the Pirates did not retain anyone that was a free agent to be and released a few guys with years left of service (Connor Joe). In this scenario the Pirates will look to add hesitantly in free agency and explore some trade targets to make the team better.

The Pirates have already said they do not plan to spend much money in free agency and that they would explore the trade market where they could. This makes sense as they have a plethora of pitching talent that could easily net them a good bat in return. Trade targets would include a corner outfielder, preferably with a glove and some pop, and a shortstop. Free agent targets could be a bat and some relief help, maybe a shortstop.

Catchers (Joey Bart, Henry Davis):
No change from the other scenario. Bart and Davis seem to be good choices to start the season as the tandem behind the plate. However, it is possible the Pirates want to see what Davis can do in AAA again or allow him to get reps in down there. If that is the case, then Jason Delay would be the backup catcher for the Pirates to start the year. Either way it’s very likely that once Endy Rodriguez becomes healthy enough and gets some playing time under him, he will join the Pirates to replace either Delay or Davis.

First base (Bryan Reynolds):
This still makes too much sense to not occur, even with the free agent this scenario signs. While he could stay in the outfield there were too many signs that point to this not happening late in the season. So once again Reynolds moves to 1B, where he should be quiet good.

Second base (Nick Gonzales):
No change here, unless an injury occurs or something goes terribly wrong Gonzales appears to have 2B locked down. The only thing you will see more in this scenario is some Yorke and Cook action at 2B as they will now be coming off the bench instead of starting in the OF.

Third Base (Ke’Bryan Hayes):
As long as he is healthy Hayes is the starting 3B. However, it is expected that he will get a lot of early season spells and extra days off with Jared Triolo seeing an increased amount of time at 3B. Also with IKF on board there is plenty of shuffling Derek Shelton and crew can play with to keep folks fresh and hopefully less injured on a full season.

Shortstop (Isiah Kiner-Falefa):
IKF still at short in his scenario. Though like with the others he could be bounced around a bit in this scenario with Yorke or Triolo getting some time at SS.

Leftfield (Colton Cowser):
In this scenario the Orioles are able to retain Santander to go along with Mullins and Kjerstad for their outfield. To pry Cowser away Pirates go big, send SP Luis Ortiz, SP Braxton Ashcraft and Tsung-Che Cheng. Is this enough for Cowser? Maybe, it is a good young pitcher in Ortiz who can step in immediately for the Orioles in their rotation. It also gives them Ashcraft the 85th prospect in the end of the year pipeline prospect. It also gives them Cheng who while he had a poor season, he is still a prospect that could be better than the typical third piece teams generally give in deals. Also, with Cowser just having surgery for a fractured hand it would be a risk on the Pirates side, and a gamble that he loses something on the Orioles side. While there is a good chance the Orioles cannot keep Santander, however if they do this deal would be good for both teams.

Centerfield (Oneil Cruz):
No change here either, they Pirates have decided to go this direction, and it would be idiotic to back track now.

Rightfield (Bryan De La Cruz):
In this scenario the Pirates go with the mid-season trade piece to run around RF at PNC park. He did not play well with the Pirates, and has been slowly getting worse each of the last few seasons. However, an offseason with his new team and hopefully some help and bonding from guys like Cruz and Cutch could be helpful for him. Again if he can come into spring locked and loaded, there is a high percentage chance he will be the starting RF on Opening Day.


Designated Hitter (Andrew McCutchen):
Guess who’s back, back and again, Cutch is back, tell a friend. In what should be the easiest move of the offseason the Pirates bring my fan favorite Andrew McCutchen for another year at 5 million. He slots right back into the DH role. The only difference however will be the free agency addition of Ryan O’Hearn who give Cutch some rest from the DH spot a few days a week.

Bench (Jared Triolo, Ryan O’Hearn, Billy Cook, Nick Yorke)
Big difference here is adding Ryan O’Hearn on a 2 year 16-million-dollar contract. Spotrac has his market value higher, however if the market value was that high then the Orioles would have just picked up the 8-million-dollar option (That is just the reasoning here at least). O’Hearn would be a reasonably priced bopper for the Pirates, he could spend time at DH, 1B and OF for the team. It might be weird watching the Pirates roll out 4 lineups a week with the same players all in different positions, but whatever will get them wins. Triolo remains the super utility infielder, with Cook and Yorke moving to the bench to become super everywhere utility players.

Starting Pitcher (Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Jared Jones, Bailey Falter, Bubba Chandler)
The only change here is the Pirates doing the right thing again and giving the Rookie the chance to take off and run with it. Bubba Chandler breaks north with the Pirates in this scenario looking to make it back-to-back Rookie of the Year pitchers for the Pirates.

Bullpen (David Bednar, Colin Holderman, Dennis Santana, Kyle Nicolas, Mike Burrows, Scott Alexander and Buck Farmer)
This time instead of going all internal the Pirates go out and add two lefties to the bullpen to round it out. Spotrac has the market value at $2.5 million for Alexander and just over $6 million on Farmer. If the Pirates could get both for 8 million total, then they should, Alexander has a proven track record and would be an ideal fit for the Pirates bullpen. Farmer has had a little more up and down, but he has had three solid season the last few years with 2024 being his best. After spending three years in Cincinnati, he is very familiar with the NLC potentially adding some value to his acquisition. The rest of the bullpen remains the same with a strong back four and a good long relief or spot starter in Burrows.


In this scenario Pirates add a trio of free agents and one a big trade for a popping young bat. It would also be a $16 million-dollar free agent commitment from the Pirates. Which is less than what the Pirates spent last year on Grandal, Taylor and Chapman. Though sadly folks will also have to factor in the over $12 million combined bump that Reynolds and Keller are due this upcoming season (and the IKF salary), and Arby for those players who are kept. Regardless, if the Pirates cannot spend that much in free agency, then they need to pack it in. A slightly revamped bullpen and two big bats would go a long way to helping this team add wins to the 2024 total. Is it enough to put the Pirates over the top and make the playoffs? It should be, two big bats to sandwich around Reynolds and Cruz and Cutch and Gonalez is exactly what the team needs to push themselves back into the playoffs.