Pittsburgh Pirates: Potential 40-Man Roster Casualties

With the 40-man roster full for the Pittsburgh Pirates, which players could be in danger of losing their 40-man roster spot this offseason?

After trading Josh Bell to the Washington Nationals, the Pittsburgh Pirates still have a full 40-man roster. This is due to Wil Crowe, one of the two pitchers acquired in the trade, being added to their 40-man roster.

This time of year 40-man roster space is always a valuable thing. With trades, free agent signings and waiver claims, team’s 40-man rosters are often in flux during the offseason. That applies to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

It appears that the Bell trade will not be the last trade the Pittsburgh Pirates make this offseason. Starting pitcher Joe Musgrove and second baseman Adam Frazier remain on the trade market. Starter Steven Brault, and relievers Chris Stratton and Richard Rodriguez could be traded as well.

If/when other trades are made, the Pirates may need to create room on their 40-man roster for players acquired. This need may also arise through any free agent signings or waiver claims that the team makes.

This raises the question, which Pirate players on the 40-man roster could see their spots be in jeopardy? Well, today, we will dive into just that.

Starting with position players, there does not appear to be many obvious candidates to be DFA’d this offseason. Infielder Erik Gonzalez could be an option, outfielder Anthony Alford could be a long shot cnadidate, but that would appear to be it. Most of the likely DFA candidates appear to be members of the Pirate pitching staff.

Relievers Michael Feliz and Carson Fulmer both are out of options, and both could be candidates to get desiganted for assginment this offseason. While they still have minor league options remaining, Sean Poppen and Tyler Bashlor are two other relievers who are DFA candidates.

Fulmer has already been DFA’d by the Pittsburgh Pirates, with this coming last summer shortly after the team claimed him off waivers. Feliz pitched in just 1.2 innings last season due to injury, and has a lifetime 5.16 ERA and 4.10 FIP in 226.2 MLB innings. Neither Poppen nor Bashlor has yet proved they can stick at the Major League level.

While it is less likely, releivers Nik Turley and Cody Ponce could also be two players to watch here. That said, after each flashed some good things while making their MLB debut last season, odds are, the Pirates will want them both around for 2021.