Pittsburgh Pirates: Grading Each 2020 Free Agent Signing

PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 23: JT Riddle #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on August 23, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 23: JT Riddle #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on August 23, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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Pittsburgh Pirates
ST LOUIS, MO – AUGUST 27: Jarrod Dyson #6 of the Pittsburgh Pirates points to Cole Tucker #3 of the Pittsburgh Pirates after scoring a run on Tucker’s single against the St. Louis Cardinals in the eighth inning at Busch Stadium on August 10, 2020 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

Despite the new front office, the Pittsburgh Pirates proved to have the same off-season as years past with offloading quality players for future pieces and signing low-value additions to bolster the roster. But how much value have these new additions added?

Like most other years, the Pittsburgh Pirates failed to make a big splash in free agency. Signing free agents, while it can be a gamble, provides an MLB team with the quickest way to fill a hole in the roster. Following the trade of Starling Marte and the release of Elias Diaz, the Pirates had holes to fill at both center field and catcher. The club also desperately needed new arms in both the bullpen and the starting rotation.

Under the leadership of new general manager Ben Cherington, the Pittsburgh Pirates yet again added low-value veterans to the roster in order to fill these spots. Among these additions was catcher Luke Maile, who has yet to make an appearance this season due to injury. He joins Jarrod Dyson, Guillermo Heredia, and his replacement John Ryan Murphy on the offensive side, while Derek Holland and Miguel Del Pozo make up the pitching additions.

We’re going to limit this one to the players who have actually made an appearance this season. That means we’ll ignore Maile and also guys like Hector Neosi who haven’t made appearances for various reasons like injury and the health concerns.

Let’s give these guys some ratings.