The Pittsburgh Pirates have underperformed expectations in 2017, but with the MLB trade deadline near, and moves to be made, the Bucs can improve.
The Pirates are in a difficult position. Expected to compete for a postseason spot in 2017, Pittsburgh has underperformed terribly. Entering Thursday’s series finale with the Phillies, and with a trip to Wrigley Field set for the weekend, the Bucs are 39-46, seven games back in the NL Central.
The team also has a few big-name trade assets available, namely starting pitcher Gerrit Cole and former MVP Andrew McCutchen. Both Cole and McCutchen have been prominently featured in trade speculation, and each would give Pittsburgh an opportunity to add talent to its farm system. Teams are also sure to reach out about Josh Harrison, David Freese, John Jaso, Juan Nicasio and others.
Given the fact the Pirates have a poor record and valuable assets to part with, it would make sense to see the club as sellers ahead of the July 31 MLB trade deadline. However, it might not be such a simple decision.
A lot of bad luck has gone into the slow start. Jung Ho Kang’s off-field issues in Korea, which led to his inability to acquire a work visa in the United States, has played a big role in an underperforming offense, as has Starling Marte’s PED suspension. Through Wednesday, the Bucs had scored the fifth fewest runs in the major leagues. Also, talented starter Jameson Taillon missed time after a cancer diagnosis.
While Kang’s return date is unknown, Marte is currently on a rehab assignment and will be available for the second half of the season. Also, Cole is under team control for two more years, and McCutchen, who struggled terribly in 2016 and started slow this year, has bounced back nicely and has only an option year left on his contract. Also, Austin Meadows, one of the top prospects in baseball, should be in Pittsburgh soon.
With that in mind, it makes the most sense for the Bucs to wait at least one year before beginning a full rebuild. The club isn’t far away from playoff contention. Instead of parting with Cole and McCutchen, Pittsburgh should use the 2017 trade deadline to reload for a postseason run in 2018.
Needs
Leadoff Hitter
Adam Frazier has spent the majority of the season as the Pirates leadoff hitter, having been penciled into the top spot in the lineup 47 times through Wednesday. Josh Harrison (22) and Jordy Mercer (10) have also hit leadoff. Simply, none is a perfect option for the top of the order. Marte, who hit first twice in April, would be an upgrade, but better options are available on the trade market.
Infield Help
It seems strange since the No. 3 MLB ranking in third base fWAR is Pittsburgh’s best individual position this season, and with Kang still on the roster, but third base is a need for 2018 and beyond, especially if the Pirates move Freese before the trade deadline. Shifting Harrison to third full time is an option, which would make second base a need.
Starting Pitching
The Pirates starting rotation isn’t terrible. Pittsburgh ranks 13th in the majors and sixth in the National League in starters ERA (4.41). Cole has ace-like stuff, Ivan Nova has been one of the most dependable starters in the NL since he came to Pittsburgh last summer, and Taillon, when healthy, has All-Star potential. But the rotation has been very inconsistent, and finding another Nova-like diamond in the rough would be terrific.
Defense
The Pirates have been the fifth worst defensive team in the majors this season, and second worst in the NL, according to FanGraphs’ Def metric. Pirates right fielders have been the worst in the majors (-13.8) defensively and center field ranks 27th (-4.8).
Assets
Baseball Prospectus Organizational Talent Ranking: 8
MLB.com Top 100 Prospects: 3
MLB.com Top 10 Prospects
- Austin Meadows, OF
- Mitch Keller, RHP
- Kevin Newman, SS
- Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B
- Cole Tucker, SS
- Will Craig, 3B
- Nick Kingham, RHP
- Steven Brault, LHP
- Elias Diaz, C
- Gage Hinsz, RHP
Meadows is one of the highest rated prospects in baseball, and he’s nearly major league ready. Theoretically, Meadows was supposed to be the successor to Andrew McCutchen had he been traded over the offseason or this summer. However, we’re going to operate on the assumption that McCutchen’s hot streak makes it less likely he’s traded, and that the Pirates will pick up his option for next season.
Meadows isn’t going anywhere, and the outfield is already pretty full in PNC Park, which means the Pirates may need to move Marte (an unliklihood since he’s ineligible for postseason play) or Gregory Polanco.
Trade John Jaso to the Yankees
The Yankees’ need for a first baseman has been well documented, and there are candidates available all over the place. New York could go one of two routes. The first would be opting for a rental player, such as Yonder Alonso, who has had a career year for the A’s, or crosstown slugger Lucas Duda. A second option would be to spring for a long-term option, such as Brandon Belt from the Giants.
Should the Yankees opt for the first option, John Jaso is likely on their list. Jaso is in the second year of a two-year, $8 million contract and will therefore be a free agent at the end of the season. In addition to first base, the 33-year-old can play both corner outfield spots (a former catcher, Jaso hasn’t seen action behind the plate since 2014).
In 71 games this season, Jaso has a .250/.326/.459 slash with seven home runs and 24 RBI. His batting average and on-base percentage may be moving in the wrong direction (and have been over the past two seasons), but Jaso’s .459 slugging percentage ties the career high he set with Seattle in 2012, when he also set a personal best with 10 home runs and 50 RBI. Also, as a left-handed hitter, those numbers should go up at Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees would offer Pittsburgh an opportunity to add to its farm system, and New York might be willing to part with a major league ready player for Jaso. Third baseman Miguel Andujar would be a nice fit, as would infielder Tyler Wade or right-handed pitcher Domingo Acevedo. If the Pirates could get any one of the three, they should pull the trigger.