Rum Bunter
FanSided

3 potential pre-arbitration trade targets for the Pirates to go after

These players have yet to hit arbitration, but could be on the trading block, and the Pirates should set their sights on them this winter.

ByNoah Wright|
Sep 25, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Miami Marlins designated hitter Jake Burger (36) celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Sep 25, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Miami Marlins designated hitter Jake Burger (36) celebrates after hitting a three-run home run against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
2 of 3

Jake Burger

Miami Marlins corner infielder Jake Burger followed up his 2023 breakout campaign, where he hit 34 home runs, with another solid season in '24. His first half lagged behind his second half, to say the least. At the end of June, Burger was batting just .217/.255/.346 with a .261 wOBA and 63 wRC+. He didn’t walk frequently, carrying a 5.5% BB%, and his 25.5% strikeout rate was mediocre. But surprisingly, on top of everything else, he also hit for very little power. Burger had just a .126 ISO and seven home runs throughout his first 255 plate appearances of the year.

But, on the plus side, Burger also ended the season on a very high note. He hit .278/.336/.553 with a .376 wOBA and 140 wRC+ from the start of July through the end of the campaign. Burger hit 22 home runs in just 324 plate appearances with an isolated slugging percentage of .275. He still did not walk much, with a 5.6% BB%, nor was his K% great at 26.2%, but he turned his season around in a big way when the summer heated up.

Burger ultimately ended the season with some solid numbers. He had a .760 OPS, .325 wOBA, and 106 wRC+. Burger’s underlying numbers were also exemplary. He was in the 84th percentile of both exit velocity (91.3 MPH) and barrel rate (12.3%). His xSLG% of .476 was even better, clocking in at the 88th percentile of all batters. Despite being a 6’2”, 230-pound slugger, Burger can move when he needs to. He was in the 65th percentile of sprint speed this year, so he won’t clog up the basepaths, either.

Burger split his playing time between third base and first base almost evenly in 2024. He has never graded out as a good defensive third baseman, and '24 represented more of the same. In 487 innings at the hot corner, he had -5 defensive runs saved and a -24 UZR/150. He was a much better defender across the diamond at first base, where he only had -1 DRS/OAA, with a 0.0 UZR/150 in 462.1 innings.

Burger is under control for quite some time. He does not become a free agent until after the 2028 season. He brings a ton of power the Pirates haven’t had at a corner infield position in quite a while. Burger could hit 30+ home runs while providing some playable defense at first base.

Home/Pirates Rumors

Schedule