Pittsburgh Pirates Free Agent Target: Outfielder Domingo Santana

Could former National League Central foe become a free agent target for the Pittsburgh Pirates?

As the MLB offseason carries on, Ben Cherington and the Pittsburgh Pirates continue to hunt for help. With the hunt carrying on, the team is looking for an outfield bat.

As has been covered on this site multiple times, with or without Starling Marte in 2020 outfield is a need. All signs point toward the team trading Marte, which creates an obvious need in the outfield. Even if they do not move Marte, with Gregory Polanco and Jason Martin‘s health questions, and a lack of a true fourth outfielder, the team will remain in the hunt for an outfield bat.

A potential free agent target to fill this need is former National Central foe Domingo Santana. Not only would the former Milwaukee Brewer fill the need for an outfield bat, he would also fill the need for a right-handed hitter.

The Pirate lineup is slated to feature left-handed hitters Adam Frazier, Colin Moran and Gregory Polanco. Also, switch-hitters Bryan Reynolds, Cole Tucker and Josh Bell, all of whom hit better from the left-hand side, are projected to be key components in the lineup. So, the need for a right-handed hitter is apparent.

In 2019, Santana played for the Seattle Mariners. With the Mariners, Santana slashed .253/.329/.441 with a 107 wRC+. His 21 home runs gave him his second career 20 home run season and his 9.3% extra-base hit rate was the second highest of his career.

Throughout his career Santana has always been a player that brings power to the table. In 1,835 career plate appearances Santana owns a .453 slugging percentage and a .194 ISO. His 10.0% extra-base hit rate is strong, too.

The Pittsburgh Pirates need to add an outfield bat this season. They also need to add a right-handed bat. Santana would fit both of these roles. Additionally, he would also add power to the Pirate lineup. For these reasons, he should be a free agent target for the Pirates this offseason.