Pittsburgh Pirates: Let's Go Black Friday Shopping

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Jul 7, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States; Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington observes Summer Training workouts at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

In the spirit of the season let’s go Black Friday shopping for the Pittsburgh Pirates as they look to address roster needs in free agency

With the Major League Baseball offseason off to a more high paced start than usual there have been more trades, free agent signings, etc. than would normally take place by Black Friday. This is due to the CBA being set to expire on December 1st and the looming lockout. As a result, the Pittsburgh Pirates and the rest of baseball find themselves facing yet another abnormal offseason.

No one knows how long the lockout will last. What we do know is that it will be a nasty, ugly time between Major League Baseball and Major League Baseball’s Player Association. Due to this, teams are working in ah hurry to get offseason moves done before the CBA expires.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have already made two notable moves. The first was signing free agent starting pitcher José Quintana to a 1-year deal. They then re-signed left-handed slugger Yoshi Tsutsugo to a 1-year deal. However, there are still moves that Ben Cherington and the Pirates need to make.

Looking at the list of free agents there are some bargain deals the Pittsburgh Pirates could make in order to bolster their roster in 2022. So, let’s go Black Friday shopping for the Pirates in an effort to improve their roster and meet some needs.

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.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – AUGUST 14: Andrew Miller #21 of the St. Louis Cardinals throws in the ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

Left-handed relievers

A big need for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022 will be left-handed relief pitching help. Right now the Pirates have Anthony Banda and Sam Howard on their 40-man roster as left-handed relievers. However, both Banda and Howard are candidates to be taken off the 40-man roster this offseason.

So this bring the Pirate need for left-handed relief pitching help to free agency, The first pitcher who could be looked into here by the Pirates is veteran, and one time postseason star, Andrew Miller.

Miller is coming off a 4.75 ERA, 4.50 FIP season with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2021. At this point Miller has made plenty of money in his MLB career. This combined with Miller looking to bounce back in 2022 could make him available on the cheap and at rate the Pirates could afford.

Former Pirate Tony Watson could be a an option too. Watson posted a 3.92 ERA, 3.48 FIP and allowed just 4 home runs in 57.1 innings pitched last season. Like Miller, Watson should not have an overly expensive price tag.

Jake Diekman could be another strong Black Friday purchase by the Pirates. With the A’s, Diekman posted a 3.86 ERA and a 4.46 FIP in 2021. Diekman also struck out batters at a 31.7% clip, marking his second consecutive season with a strikeout rate over 30%.

NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 17: Nick Wittgren #62 of the Cleveland Indians pitches against the New York Yankees during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium on September 17, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /

Right-Handed Relievers

The Pittsburgh Pirates would also benefit from adding right-handed relief help this offseason. In general, the bullpen is an area of need for the Bucs. So, what right-handed relievers could be had at an affordable price?

Nick Wittgren could be a name to watch. Hi 5.05 ERA and 4.84 FIP last season were not pretty, but they were inflated due to allowing 13 home runs in 62.1 innings pitched. Wittgren’s 6.6% walk rate and 23.1% strikeout rate were both strong.

Veteran Steve Cishek could be an intriguing options as well. The 36-year-old is coming off a strong season with the Los Angeles Angels in which he posted a 3.42 ERA, 3.74 FIP and a 20.8% strikeout rate in 68.1 innings of work. Cishek will not demand a big contract this offseason and would provide a boost to the Pirate bullpen.

Due to multiple injuries, including Tommy John Surgery, veteran Kirby Yates has pitched just 4.1 innings since the start of the 2020 season. This includes missing all of 2021. That said, he is looking to make a return in 2021 and would do so at a cheap price in an effort to rebuild his value. This return could be with the Pirates.

Next. Pirates Re-Sing Yoshi Tsutsugo. dark

Another pitcher looking to bounce back from injury is Oliver Drake. He missed the entire 2021 season due to an ale bow injury, but has a lifetime 26.2% strikeout rate, 4.27 ERA and a 3.72 FIP in 204.1 innings pitched. Like Yates, Drake could likely be had at a bargain price as he looks to rebuild his value.

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