Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Potential Outfield Free Agent Targets

SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Jorge Soler #12 of the Atlanta Braves hits an RBI double during the tenth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on September 25, 2021 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Jorge Soler #12 of the Atlanta Braves hits an RBI double during the tenth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on September 25, 2021 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
1 of 3
Next
(Photo by Ron Vesely/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ron Vesely/Getty Images) /

The Pittsburgh Pirates have little depth in the outfield for the 2022 season. If the Pirates want to make some progress after a 101-loss season, they need to sign some Major League talent to help out Bryan Reynolds. Here are three outfielders I believe the Pirates could sign for the upcoming year.

Outfielder/Utility- Leury Garcia

Leury Garcia would be a great addition to the starting outfield for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Garcia is coming off a good season with the Chicago White Sox. The switch-hitting center fielder played in 126 games. He had 415 at-bats, in which he totaled 111 hits on the year.

He not only can play the outfield, he also can play all around the field if needed. In 2021, Garcia played 65 games in the outfield, 36 games at second base, 11 games at third base, and 19 games at shortstop.

Garcia finished the regular season with 22 doubles, 4 triples, and 5 home runs. He doesn’t have a lot of power but still contributed at the plate. He recorded 41 walks with the White Sox. He slashed .267/.335/.376 with an OPS of .711.

In 2021, Garcia finished the year with a 2.0 WAR. This was his best finish in his career and is better than any outfielder the Pittsburgh Pirates have on the roster not including Reynolds. I believe Garcia would be a fairly cheap and viable option for the Pirates. His last contract with the White Sox was for $3.5 million and I believe Pittsburgh could manage a contract somewhere in that ball park.

(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Outfielder/Designated Hitter – Jorge Soler

If the Pittsburgh Pirates want some more power and excitement in the lineup for 2022, they should consider signing Jorge Soler. Soler will turn 30 in February and will be a free agent after the 2021 season. After starting the year with the Kansa City Royals, Soler was traded to the Atlanta Braves at the trade deadline for right-handed pitcher Kasey Kalich.

Soler played in 149 games in the 2021 regular season. He had 516 at bats, in which 115 were for hits. He had 27 doubles and 27 home runs on the season. Soler slashed .223/.316/.432 with an OPS of .749 with both the Royals and Braves. He started to play better once traded to Atlanta. In 55 games with the Braves, Soler slashed .269/.358/.524 with an OPS of .882 with 14 homeruns. This is the type of player the Pirates should acquire during the offseason.

Soler has a contract just over $8 million for 2021. With how little the payroll is for the Pirates, there should be no excuse not to come up with a similar contract. Soler also likes hitting in Pittsburgh. In his career at PNC park, he has played in 11 games batting 12 for 39. He is the type of player that can help a rebuild with his veteran presence on the field.

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

Outfielder – Mark Canha

Another outfield free agent the Pittsburgh Pirates should consider signing is Mark Canha. Just like Soler, Canha can bring some power to the lineup. In the past four seasons Canha has hit 65 home runs which includes the shorten year in 2020.

In 2021, Canha had 519 at-bats with 120 hits on the year. He had 22 doubles, 4 triples, and 17 home runs with the Oakland Athletics. He did however strikeout a lot. He had 128 strikeouts to only 77 walks. This gave him a 12.1% walk and a 20.5% strikeout rate.

Canha slashed .231/.368/.387 with an OPS of .746. He finished the regular season with a 2.6 WAR, which again is a lot better than what the Pirates have been throwing out on the field. He had an impressive 115 wRC+ as well. I do think this would be a great signing for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Next. Four Non-Tender Candidates. dark

Poss

Canha had a contract of close to $7 million for 2021 and there is no reason the Pirates couldn’t get a deal close to that done. By signing a guy like Mark Canha, I believe that would show the fans they are trying to win and improve for 2022. Time will tell if Ben Cherington and company plan on signing any notable free agents for next season.

Next