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Pittsburgh Pirates: Black Friday Shopping 2021

By Marty Leap

Aug 11, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington (left) talks with manager Derek Shelton (right) during batting practice before the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington (left) talks with manager Derek Shelton (right) during batting practice before the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – AUGUST 31: Robinson Chirinos #29 of the Chicago Cubs looks on during the game against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of the game at Target Field on August 31, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Cubs defeated the Twins 3-1. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – AUGUST 31: Robinson Chirinos #29 of the Chicago Cubs looks on during the game against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of the game at Target Field on August 31, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Cubs defeated the Twins 3-1. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

Catcher Robinson Chirinos

Robinson Chirinos spent the 2021 season with the Chicago Cubs. In 45 games played with the Cubs he hit for a .227/.324/.454 slash line, to go with a 108 wRC+, an 8.0% walk rate, and a strikeout rate of 32.1%.

Chirinos can bring quality power and on-base ability to the plate. That said, he also strikes out too much, lifetime 26.7% strikeout rate in 2237 MLB plate appearances, which hurts his value among MLB teams.

Gold Glove Award winner Jacob Stallings will be the starting catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022. The Pirates still need a backup behind Stallings in 2022, and Chirinos would be more than a quality backup for the Pirates.

Last season Chirinos earned $1 million dollars with the Cubs. He is a player who should not cost very much during the 2022 season. This should put Chirinos in the Pirate cost range as this offseason carries on.

A 1-year contract worth $1-2 million is something the Pirates could afford to offer Chirinos and that he would be likely to accept. Chirinos could prove to be a Black Friday purchase for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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