Pittsburgh Pirates: Former Players That Are Currently Free Agents

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Chad Kuhl #39 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 23, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Chad Kuhl #39 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on September 23, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 03: Josh Harrison #5 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates while scoring on a RBI single in the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park on August 3, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 03: Josh Harrison #5 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates while scoring on a RBI single in the eighth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park on August 3, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Infield

Arguably the most notable former Pirate free agent is two-time National League All-Star Josh Harrison. Harrison spent the first eight seasons of his career in Pittsburgh, making two All-Star Games and receiving MVP votes in 2014.

Since leaving Pittsburgh, he’s batted for a .693 OPS, .304 wOBA, and 92 wRC+. He spent the 2022 campaign as the Chicago White Sox’ primary second baseman, and after starting the year off poorly, he ended the season on a positive note, posting a solid .292/.341/.364 with a 104 wRC+ from August through the end of the season.

Another higher-profile former Pirate is Josh Bell. Bell was the Pittsburgh Pirates primary first baseman from 2017 through 2020. This past season was very up-and-down for the infielder. After starting off the year with a phenomenal .876 OPS, .376 wOBA, and 143 wRC+ with the Washington Nationals, he was traded to the San Diego Padres along with Juan Soto. However, the second half did not go as planned, as Bell had just a .584 OPS, .274 wOBA, and 78 wRC+.

Adam Frazier was one of the Pirates most recent big trades, as he was sent to the Padres during the 2021 trade deadline. Frazier spent the first few seasons of his Major League career in a utility role before taking over at second base full-time in 2019. Frazier has swapped hands many times over the past year-and-a-half, going from the Pirates to the Padres and then the Seattle Mariners. 2022 was an abysmal season for Frazier as he posted a .612 OPS, .274 wOBA, and 81 wRC+. But he did provide solid defense at the keystone and delivered a big hit in the playoffs for Seattle.

Others who made appearances in black and gold and are now on the free agent market include Yu Chang and Phil Gosselin.