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3 Players Who May Have Played Their Last Game with the Pittsburgh Pirates
With the possibility of the coronavirus canceling the 2020 MLB season seemingly growing by the day, who are some players that may have played their final game with the Pittsburgh Pirates?
As everyone knows, the 2020 MLB season, along with all other sports in the country, is on hold due to the spread of the coronavirus. With each passing day the odds of their being a MLB season seem to continue to decrease.
If there is no 2020 season, then there are countless of players around baseball that have unknowingly already played their final in the uniform of their current team. This includes the Pittsburgh Pirates.
While there are obviously bigger problems in the world right now than this, if fans are robbed of getting to watch their favorite players on their favorite team for one more season it would be a shame. The same can be said for players being robbed of one last season in front of those fans, and playing for the city they currently call home.
Now, this group will not include free agents who were signed in the offseason to one-year contracts. So, this would include Pittsburgh Pirates players such as pitchers Derek Holland and Robbie Erlin.
Relief pitcher Keone Kela
This is an obvious one. Pittsburgh Pirates closer Keone Kela is set to become a free agent following the 2020 season. So, if there is no season, the next time he pitches in a MLB game it will not be as a member of the Pirates.
The Pirates acquired Kela at the 2018 trade deadline in an effort to create one of the best bullpens in the National League. This came as part of a trade deadline that saw the Pirates surprise the baseball world by making two of the biggest splash moves by trading for Kela and starting pitcher Chris Archer. Kela’s work after coming to Pittsburgh helped the Bucs finish the 2018 season with a winning record for the first time since 2015.
Kela spent large chunks of the 2019 season on the injured list due to a shoulder issue. He also served a team issued suspension due to an altercation with coaches. When he was one the mound, however, Kela pitched well. In 29.2 innings of work he posted a 2.12 ERA, 3.52 FIP, a strong 0.91 HR/9, 9.2% walk rate, and a 27.7% strikeout rate.
Since coming to Pittsburgh in July 2018, Kela has pitched 46 innings. In these 46 innings of work he has posted a 2.54 ERA and a 3.41 FIP. He’s allowed 0.98 HR/9, walked 9.7% of batters faced and struck out 30.7% of opposing batters.
While Kela’s Pirate career may prove to be short lived, he has done what the team expected when they acquired him. He has been an above average bullpen arm. The problem is, Kela battled injuries and off field issues in 2019, and a lot of the other pieces the team expected to fall in place with the rest of the roster did not.
First baseman Josh Bell
All-Star slugger Josh Bell quickly became a fan favorite in Pittsburgh. From his days as a highly touted prospect, after receiving the largest signing bonus in MLB Draft history, to hitting a grand slam in his second MLB at bat back in 2016, Pittsburgh Pirates fans have long adored JB.
Well, the team’s star first baseman is set to become a free agent following the 2022 season. Due to this, unless the team believes they will be ready to contend in 2021, the best way to maximize Bell’s value would be to trade him prior to the start of the 2021 season.
So, has Bell played his last game as a Pirate?
While it is is not as a likely as some other players on this list, it remains possible. By losing the 2020 season in which rising players such as Cole Tucker, Joe Musgrove, Kevin Newman, Mitch Keller, and Nick Burdi could have continued to develop as MLB players, as well as top prospect Ke’Bryan Hayes solidifying himself as the team’s starting third baseman, it would be a lost year of development. This would all but assure the team will not be ready to compete in 2021.
If the team is not in a position to compete in 2021, then trading Bell in the off-season would be the team’s best course of action for loading up on young talent that can help them win a year or two in the future. While it is not something many fans would like, if there is no 2020 season then be prepared to never watch Bell as a Pirate again.
Starting pitcher Chris Archer
The Pittsburgh Pirates have made many bad trades in franchise history. The aforementioned Archer trade in July 2018 has quickly become one of these trades. The crazy part is, at the time the trade rejuvenated the fan base and many fans were in love with it. But that’s a discussion of its own.
Archer is set to hit free agency following the 2021 season. Right now, his trade value is not overly high due to him struggling since coming to Pittsburgh. That said, the Pirates would almost assuredly look to trade him in the off-season if the 2020 season is canceled.
At that point the team will be looking to get any value whatsoever in return for Archer. They could wait until the 2021 trade deadline after giving Archer an opportunity to re-establish some trade value. However, that could be a risk. What if Archer continues to pitch poorly and totally destroys any trade value he has at all?
Next. Prospect Profile: Austin Roberts. dark
Like Bell, it is no guarantee Archer is traded if the 2020 season is canceled. The odds of him being traded, however, are higher than Bell’s. Archer is multiple time All-Star, he still strikes a lot of batters out, and he was a victim of the out dated pitching philosophy of the old Pirate regime. There are undoubtedly teams in baseball that believe they can fix Archer.