5 internal right field options if Pirates continue to strike out in free agency

Ben Cherington inking a singular free agent to a multi-year contract appears unlikely to happen yet again in 2025. The Pirates making an external move to address the hole in right field also appears less and less likely by the day. The franchise does have options, though, when they inevitably look for an internal solution.

The answer will likely be, at least to start the year, a platoon of three or more players rotating through the corner outfield positions. These are the options Cherington will likely have to give his manager on the Opening Day roster.

5 internal options for Pirates' right field void

5. Nick Yorke

Yorke played four different positions in his 11 MLB games a year ago. The 22-year-old has done nothing but hit over most of his professional career. That includes 2024. Yorke slashed .303/.385/.449 while hitting 12 home runs, doubling 33 times and driving in 72 runs over 123 games between Double-A and Triple-A last year. While he did not see an immediate translation to the major league level, in terms of pure numbers, Yorke consistently stung the ball over his 37 at-bats. If he comes into his own, the young utility man will play all over the diamond while giving the lineup the depth it desperately needs.

4. Billy Cook

Cook played all three outfield positions and first base in 17 big league games late in 2024. The 26-year-old brings nice pop to the plate to go along with very high BABIP numbers throughout his MiLB career. Cook entered the organization at last season's deadline in a prospect swap with Baltimore. He slashed .275/.332/.455, smashing 17 home runs and 24 doubles while driving in 74 runs between Double-A Bowie, Triple-A Norfolk and Triple-A Indianapolis. Cook also hit 24 homers in Bowie during the 2023 season. Cook is a more natural outfielder than Yorke from a fielding perspective as well.

There remains a high likelihood that both young players could man the outfield corners in the same game with Bryan Reynolds seeing work at first base. There also remains a high possibility of both players getting starts in the infield in the same game while another player or two on this list find themselves starting in the outfield. Cook’s pop could also play a major factor in this offense if the Bucs stay internal.

3. Joshua Palacios

Palacios is the only left-hand hitting outfielder on the list which, if he makes the team, will likely limit in his starts to games against right-handed pitching. The 29-year-old has been unable to consistently translate his minor-league success to the MLB level. However, Palacios has proven extremely valuable to the club as both a pinch hitter and an option in clutch situations. He would be a solid addition to the Opening Day roster as the 26th man or as the first callup when the eventual injury, option, or DFA occurs.

If Palacios does get that chance and does not produce, do not be surprised if he is the one that gets designated for assignment.

2. Isaiah Kiner-Falefa

Kiner-Falefa has played all over the field since making his MLB debut in 2018 with Texas. That includes lots of time in both center and right field as recently as 2023 with the Yankees. IKF produced at the best clip of his career with the Blue Jays in the first half of last year. The 29-year-old slashed .292/.338/.420 with Toronto before regressing to a .240/.265/.322 slash line with the Pirates. New hitting coach Matt Hague was the assistant hitting coach in Toronto last season and helped Kiner-Falefa obtain those career-best numbers.

Either way, IKF will be an everyday player for the Pirates in 2025, likely making most of his starts in the middle infield with the possibility of seeing time in the outfield.

1. Andrew McCutchen

At what point does Derek Shelton approach Andrew McCutchen and tell him that he must play right field at least once each week for this team to succeed? The 38-year-old has made it publicly known that he prefers to be an almost exclusive designated hitter. He provided solid production over 448 at-bats in that role a year, ago slugging 20 homers, doubling 18 times and driving in 50 runs. While he remains an above-average bat, the point of Cutch playing the field on occasion must become reality if those other internal options struggle. McCutchen needs to get his glove for this team to reach its full potential this season.