Pittsburgh Pirates: What Happens If Adam Frazier Is Not Traded

While trade rumors have swirled around Adam Frazier, he is still with the Pittsburgh Pirates. What happens if he is not traded before Opening Day?

The Pittsburgh Pirates have had a busy offseason on the trade market. Starting pitchers Joe Musgrove and Jameson Taillon, as well as 2019 National League All-Star first baseman Josh Bell have all been traded. Another player trade rumors have swirled around throughout the offseason is second baseman Adam Frazier.

Well, Spring Training is now in full swing for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Frazier is still with the Bucs. Earlier this week position players reported to Bradenton for the first full squad workout of the spring, and this group included Frazier.

Sunday afternoon the Pittsburgh Pirates will play the Baltimore Orioles in their first game of the spring. As this game approaches, trade rumors continue to swirl around Frazier. That said, the closer the season gets the less likely a trade appears. So… what happens if Frazier is not traded?

Well, first off, to his credit, Frazier is focused on the 2021 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates and not trade rumors. Furthermore, manager Derek Shelton has told reporters that, as of now at least, Frazier is penciled in as the starting second baseman for the Pirates.

If Frazier is not traded that will have a major impact on the middle infield. For much of the offseason the belief was that Frazier would be traded, moving Kevin Newman to second base and making shortstop a Spring Training battle between Cole Tucker and Erik Gonzalez.

When Opening Day arrives if Frazier is still with the Pittsburgh Pirates he will be their starting second baseman. Each of the past two seasons Frazier has been a Gold Glove finalist at the position while being a league avergae offensive player, this combined with the Pirates still looking to build up Frazier’s trade value would make him the starting second baseman.

Frazier being at second base on Opening Day would likely force Tucker off of the Opening Day roster. Due to having minor league options remaining, Tucker would likely start the season at Triple-A Idianapolis while the primary battle at shortstop becomes Gonzalez and Newman.

If Frazier is still with the Pirates on Opening Day it will undoubtedly have a major impact on the team’s roster. With Frazier starting at second base, it would have an impact on the make up of the bench.

Whoever is not starting at shortstop between Newman and Gonzalez, whoever is not in center field between Anthony Alford and Brian Goodwin, Todd Frazier and Tony Wolters would appear to be locks for the Pirate bench. This would leave Tucker, Phillip Evans and Wilmer Difo battling for the final bench spot. Due to minor league options, this spot would likely go to Difo.

Regardless of how things shake out, if Frazier is not traded it will have a major impact on the make up of the Opening Day roster for the Pittsburgh Pirates.