Pittsburgh Pirates Free Agent Target: Shortstop Freddy Galvis

Veteran shortstop Freddy Galvis could be a free agent target of the Pittbsurgh Pirates this offseason as they try to answer their question mark at shortstop

Entering this offseason, the Pittsburgh Pirates will have plenty of questions to answer. When it pertains to the 2021 season, their biggest question that will need answer may pertain to who will play shortstop.

While the Pittsburgh Pirates have internal options for shortstop in 2021, none of them are overly confident inspiring. Due to this, the Bucs may be best suited to search for shortstop help in the free agent market. One potential free agent target at the shortstop position could be veteran Freddy Galvis.

With the Cincinnati Reds in 2020, Galvis hit for a .220/.308/.404 slash line. Galvis posted a 91 wRC+, .184 isolated sluggin (ISO), 8.2% walk rate, and a 18.9% strikeout rate. All of these numbers would be offensive upgrades for the Pirates at shortstop.

Lifetime, Galvis owns a .257/.291/.385 slash line with a 79 wRC+. Not great numbers, but better than the internal shortstop options for the Pittsburgh Pirates. This includes a .138 ISO, which is solid for a shortstop.

Defensively, Galvis brings a good amount to the plate. Prior to last season, he had four straight seasons with a positive Defensive Runs Saved at shortstop. Since 2017, he owns a +26 Outs Above Average at the shortstop position.

Galvis is a switch-hitter who could provide the Pirates with some left-handed pop in their line up. His left-handed swing is one that could play well with the Clemente Wall.

If the Pirates look to go with a veteran stop gap at shortstop in 2021, Galvis could be a free agent target. Adding someone like Galvis would make a lot of sense. It would add to the team’s middle infield depth, and could give them a quality trade chip come July.