The Pittsburgh Pirates finished the 2023 season with yet another losing record, 76-86, 16 games back from the division-winning Brewers, and eight games out of the Wild Card spot. This franchise has finished first only once in the past 30 years. That year, they had Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonilla, and Andy Van Slyke in the lineup that ended up losing to the Atlanta Braves in the Playoffs. The team has had some decent teams that competed over the period, but none that showed the promise of that team back in the mid-1990s. In a sports city like Pittsburgh with the Steelers and Penguins, both of which have had multiple Championship parades over the years, it’s been tough for us Pirates Fans waiting our turn. So, how can the team take the turn towards correcting that trend?
Talented Young Arms
Over the past few seasons, we have seen the likes of Gerrit Cole, Joe Musgrove, and Tyler Glasnow be traded away during their time with the Bucs. Now, I understand they always seem to flourish away from PNC Park when they toss on a different uniform, but one has to think they had the same potential with the Pirates as they did with their new teams. Is it the pitching coaches? Could it be the routines the new clubs have for their pitchers? Could it just be that we trade them away one year before we see them take off while remaining in the Pirates uniform? Honestly, I think it’s a mixture of both, with some bad luck thrown in as well. The team has been trying to add young talent along the way, fighting to get back to some relevance in the National League to compete with the Braves, Dodgers, Brewers, Cardinals, Padres, Diamondbacks, and Phillies for a while. Right now, the Pirates have Mitch Keller and a 2023 Draft pick from LSU, Paul Skenes, who can bring it on the mound, reaching triple digits on the radar gun last year in his first professional baseball action. Skenes might not quite be ready to break into the rotation to start the season, but I expect he’s not far off from contributing to this team, and it could be sooner than we think! My top priority would be extending Keller and locking him up for the foreseeable future; that’s number one. Two hold on tight to Skenes and continue to see him develop. Thirdly, I would actively look to add another young, controllable arm via trade. Remember Billy Beans’ teams? They had great young arms and just the right pieces in the field, allowing them to compete constantly in the American League West Division. Add another controllable arm with high potential to this rotation, and this Pirates team could be talked about like the Cincinnati Reds and all their young talent. Skenes isn’t the only talented young arm the Pirates have control of right now; Bubba Chandler and Jared Jones are two others that I am excited to watch develop this year. Bubba Chandler has the stuff to be a middle-of-the-rotation arm while Jared Jones is currently a starter, but very well, he could end up a top candidate to be the team’s closer of the future with his power arm(More on these two later).
Young Core of Talented Bats
Henry Davis, O’neil Cruz, Ke’Bryan Hayes, and Jack Suwinski are all Major League talents who will play key roles for the club this year and in the future. Cruz missed most of last season with a broken Fibula after a slide into home plate early in the year but looks to bounce back this coming year. Hayes has struggled to stay healthy, always finding time on the disabled list, which has kept him from his true potential. Davis will be behind the plate for the Pirates this year after the news of Endy Rodriguez’s injury that is costing him the season. Jack Suwinski will look to improve on his average while providing the team with decent power and average defense in the outfield. Termarr Johnson, the Pirates number two rank prospect heading into the year, is a middle infielder with decent defense. Still, his hit tool is what everyone is talking about: a good mix of speed, power, and contact who will most likely make his big league debut sometime during the 2025 season or perhaps 2026. Edward Olivares, who was received in a trade with Kansas City, is a low-risk, potential, high-reward trade that could be a help in the future if he can remain healthy.
Who is a part of a Brighter Future
First, let’s establish who in my mind is part of the future that’s currently in the Pittsburgh system; again, these are my opinions only.
- RHP – Paul Skene
- SS – O’neil Cruz
- 3B – Ke’Bryan Hayes
- RHP – Bubba Chandler
- RHP – Jared Jones
- 2B – Termarr Johnson
- C/OF – Henry Davis
- LHP – Anthony Solometo
When reviewing the prospect depth for the Pirates, I was excited and intrigued by all the arms in the system with such high ranks. Paul Skene, Quinn Priester, Bubba Chandler, Jared Jones, Thomas Harrington, and Anthony Solometo all have the potential to fill out the starting rotation, some as early as 2025 and some making appearances in 2024. My concern is the lack of upcoming bats for the Pirates coming up. Henry Davis is already slated to start behind the plate for the Bucs this season while Endy Rodriguez heals, potentially moving to the outfield in 2025 when Rodriguez returns. Besides Davis, the Pirates have Termarr Johnson coming up to fill the second base spot, currently ranked as the second-ranked prospect behind Skenes. Yordany De Los Santos, who plays Short and third, is ranked 7th while being blocked by Hayes/O’Neil; currently, Tony Blanco Jr can play First, and the outfield is ranked tenth in the organization. Estuar Suero is an athletic Outfielder ranked 12th. Mike Webb, a middle infielder, is ranked 19th and also blocked by Johnson/O’Neil. Malcolm Nunes, ranked 20th in the Pirates organization, can play either corner infield position and could be a replacement eventually at first. In my opinion, this group needs support. If Hayes is part of the future, which I believe he should be along with O’Neil and Johnson in the infield, that would make De Los Santos and Mitch Webb expendable at this time, in my opinion. In the past, the move was always to move young arms to bolster the farm system. Bryan Reynolds was just signed last year to a seven-year extension, so you’d have to assume he will be part of the future, whether in center or left field, as the years go by. Liover Peguero will be the starting Second baseman this year, and even when Johnson arrives, he provides value, whether staying at second and Johnson playing DH or moving to the outfield.
Three Players worth exploring moving
Jack Suwinski is currently a starting Outfielder and has team control, but they might not be a long-term fit; he provides power but also swings and misses far too often. The proposed move of Suwinski is only the right fit with a return that allows flexibility in the future; it also is the one that would be the toughest sell. With that said, the Mariners have a surplus of pitching and could potentially be in the market for a power-hitting lefty. A return of Bryan Woo would be a stretch, but below, it shows the value favoring the Pirates.
David Bednar has been the closer and holds value, but could he be better suited as trade bait? I think so right now, at least. Trade him to the Rangers, who are looking for Closer/back-end help for Struggling SP Jack Lieter and Outfield prospect Yiesson Morrobel.
Yordany De Los Santos/Mitch Webb, both middle infielders, appear to be blocked by the O’Neil/Peguero/Johnson mix as of now, so why not move them for outfield help? I think you could approach the Astros and see if they would be willing to make a move for one of these guys to play future second base in exchange for Kenedy Corona, a 23-year-old Outfield prospect who could be ready to contribute as soon as this year if not next year either in Center or Left field.
Recap
The three proposed moves above would mean the Pirates outfield would have Edward Olivares in Left, Bryan Reynolds in Center, Joshua Palacios in Right, and McCutchen at DH. Starting Rotation of Mitch Keller, Bryan Woo, Marcos Gonzales, Martin Perez, and Quinn Priester. The team would have to appoint a new closer, but in the long run, you’ve added athletes to the outfield prospect depth and potentially grabbed Jack Leiter, who could be a great 3rd Starter in the end behind Paul Skenes and Bryan Woo. If you throw in Bubba Chandler as a 4th, this team would have potential for a very good future starting rotation. These are just some moves and ideas of mine. I am not expecting everyone to agree, but if we want to build for the future with talent in all areas to complement what we currently have, I would explore this.
