3 external right field options for the Pittsburgh Pirates to add

Pitchers and catcher report to spring training in less than a month. The Bucs still have two glaring holes remaining on their roster: left-handed relief pitching (especially if Caleb Ferguson is being stretched out) and right field.

Given the abilities of the starting pitching staff, and lack thereof from the lineup, finding a quality corner outfield bat remains the top priority for Ben Cherington. If a singing does happen, it will not likely break the bank. Even in the current, over-inflated market, affordable options remain. Any of these three bats could help push the Pirates into striking distance in a weak National League Central Division.

3 right field bats that could change 2025 Pirates' trajectory

3. Randal Grichuk

Grichuk enters his 12th major league season looking to sign with his sixth overall team and fifth in the last five years. Even as he bounced around the past few seasons, the 33-year-old has remained a solid, consistent hitter wherever he has gone.

In 106 games with Arizona last season, Grichuk slashed .291/.348/.528 while hitting 12 home runs, doubling 20 times and driving in 46 runs. Those numbers translated to a 2.2 WAR. The only Pirate hitters with WARs of at least 2.2 last season were Bryan Reynolds (3.6), Oneil Cruz (2.5) and Joey Bart (2.2). Pittsburgh right fielders combined to have an abysmal -1.8 WAR in 2024. Grichuk would slot in nicely in the five-to-seven range in the Bucs lineup, providing solid length to the unit on an everyday basis. He would not be an expensive signing, either, likely going for around $3-5 million for a one-year deal.

2. Austin Hays

Hays split time between Baltimore and Philadelphia last season, where he combined to slash .255/.303/.396, homering five times, doubling 18 times and driving in 20 runs. Hays was an All-Star in 2023 with the O’s, as he hit .275 with 16 home runs, 36 doubles and 67 RBI. 2023 was the third consecutive season where he registered a WAR of at least 2.4.

Hays remains a bounce-back candidate and would likely be helped with a change of scenery. A one-year deal should carry a value in the $5-7 million range for Hays coming off a down season. And, yes, he's been linked to the Pirates in recent weeks.

1. Jurickson Profar

Profar fits the definition of a late bloomer, as he finally broke out with a monstrous 2024. The now 32-year-old was a constant staple in the middle of a loaded Padres lineup. Profar slashed .280/.380/.459 while smashing 24 homers, doubling 29 times and driving in 85 runs. The outfielder’s 3.6 WAR would tie Reynolds for the highest number for a position player on the 2024 Pirates.

Profar will carry the highest price tag of these three options, as he likely seeks a multi-year deal with an average annual salary north of $13 million. Profar would immediately slot into the heart of the Pirate lineup. If Bob Nutting and Ben Cherington are serious about actually contending, Profar should sit at the top of their list.