Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Things That Need Done This Offseason

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 21: Oneil Cruz #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the Chicago Cubs during the game at PNC Park on June 21, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 21: Oneil Cruz #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the Chicago Cubs during the game at PNC Park on June 21, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Sign Joc Pederson To Play First Base

There are not a lot of free agent options for first base this offseason, so the Pittsburgh Pirates should sign Joc Pederson and have him transition to a full time first basemen for the 2023 season. He has some playing experience at that position and would immediately be one the top hitters in the lineup for this team.

Last season with the San Francisco Giants, Pederson slashed an impressive .274/.353/.521 with 23 home runs. Pederson finished the season with a 144 wRC+ and 2.1 WAR. He is just 30 years of age, so he could be a cornerstone to this team becoming competitive again if he signed a multi-year deal. Adding this kind of bat to a lineup that is in desperate need of offense would make a huge difference going into next season.

In 2022, the Pirates had one of the worst groups of first basemen in all of the baseball. This obviously needs addressed in the off-season and the Pirates need to think outside of the box. This would be a good decision on the front offices part if they make this kind of move. The best first base options at the moment in free agency are Jose Abreu and Anthony Rizzo, but they will come at a high price tag that the Pirates most likely will not be able to pay.

Ben Cherington and Derek Shelton love versatility, so signing Pederson to play first base with an option to have him play some outfield at times should be right up their ally.