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Pittsburgh Pirates Free Agent Target: Outfielder Cameron Maybin

By Marty Leap

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 07: Cameron Maybin #38 of the New York Yankees celebrates his one run home run against the Minnesota Twins in the ninth inning in game three of the American League Division Series at Target Field on October 07, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - OCTOBER 07: Cameron Maybin #38 of the New York Yankees celebrates his one run home run against the Minnesota Twins in the ninth inning in game three of the American League Division Series at Target Field on October 07, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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As the Pittsburgh Pirates continue to hunt for outfield help, veteran Cameron Maybin is a player they could target in free agency

The MLB Winter Meetings have come and gone. As of now, Starling Marte is still a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, the expectation remains to be that the Pirates will trade their starting center fielder before the start of the regular season.

With or without Marte, general manager Ben Cherington will need to be in the market for outfield help this offseason. That is a big reason why Brandon Nimmo is a name that regularly popped up in trade talks between the Pirates and the Mets.

Even if Marte would not be traded, the team would need help in right field where Gregory Polanco‘s health remains a question. If the Pirates have a healthy, productive Polanco they would still need a fourth outfielder.

One player the Pirates could target in free agency is outfielder Cameron Maybin. The 13-year MLB veteran can play all three outfield spots, which would allow the team to not have to play Bryan Reynolds in center field if/when Marte is traded.

Throughout his career Maybin has been known as a defensive first player. He has a positive career defensive runs saved in the outfield and he owns a career dWAR of 9.4.

While Maybin has been more known for his defense, he is still a serviceable hitter. Maybin owns a lifetime .256/.324/.376 slash line to go with a 8.7% walk rate and a 94 wRC+. He is also coming off a career best offensive season in which he slashed .285/.364/.494 with a 11.2% walk rate and a 127 wRC+ as a member of the New York Yankees.

Maybin also brings a speed element to the table. In six of his 13 MLB seasons Maybin has stolen at least 15 bases, including a pair of 20+ stolen base seasons and a 40 stolen base season. This would also be a welcome addition to a Pirate lineup that could wreck havoc on the bases this season with Kevin Newman, Cole Tucker and a healthy Polanco.

Next. 3 Potential Marte Trades. dark

The 32-year-old Maybin is a right-handed hitter, and the Pirate lineup could use another right-handed bat. Outside of Nevin Newman, and the likely to be traded Marte, there are no right-handed hitters in the Pirate lineup. Adding a right-handed bat to the lineup would be a smart move for Cherington to make, and Maybin could be that bat.

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